Pubdate: Tue, 06 Dec 2016
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 The Edmonton Journal
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Clare Clancy
Page: A3

'DRUGGED DRIVING SUIT' TEACHES SAFETY

Edmonton police used a novel way to demonstrate how drugs and alcohol
influence drivers in an effort to curb the number of collisions
expected over the winter holidays.

The "drugged driving suit" uses padding, ankle weights, flashing light
goggles and headphones to recreate the conditions of driving after
consuming alcohol or illegal drugs.

This includes slower reaction time, distorted vision, hand tremors and
poor co-ordination.

The suit, showcased at Rogers Place on Monday, is part of a Ford
program that teaches safe driving methods. Driving Skills for Life is
slated to come to Edmonton high schools sometime next year.

Const. Kathy Nelson said while most people understand the dangers of
drinking alcohol and driving, it's important to realize that drugs can
be equally as problematic on the road.

"With the potential legalization of marijuana as well as a lot of the
prescription drug abuse that's happening, that focus really needs to
get to the forefront as well," she said.

"Statistically ... about 40 to 50 per cent of our impaired fatalities
in this city have some kind of link to drugs or (are) caused solely by
drug impairment."

Police have made more than 1,200 impaired driving arrests in 2016
before Dec. 1. In that time, there have been 24 fatalities and 36
serious injury collisions in Edmonton. Since 2012, impaired drivers
have been involved in 35 to 45 per cent of fatal collisions.

"Our checkstops run 365 days a year ... the message is really to start
changing attitudes," Nelson said, adding that police are preparing to
roll out their annual campaign before Christmas.

"The people we catch on a daily basis are not the people who are
having one drink with dinner and driving home responsibly."

She added that police use standardized sobriety tests and drug
recognition evaluations to prove drivers are impaired due to drugs.
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