Real world experiences created by driving simulator prepare county employees for the unexpected

County road and bridge staff face hazards every time they get behind the wheel at work. The Texas Association of Counties (TAC) is helping reduce those risks through its innovative driving simulator.

"My goal is to use the driving simulator to reduce cost to the county by reducing collisions and injuries to county drivers," said Don Courtney, driving simulator consultant with TAC. 

TAC's driving simulator creates real-world driving conditions in a high-tech environment that replicates situations drivers may actually encounter while on the road. Since its launch in 2000, more than 15,400 county drivers in three-quarters of the state's counties have used it to enhance their ability to make life-saving, split-second decisions in often dangerous driving conditions.

 "Studies have shown that driver-training programs effectively reduce risks while educating drivers on safe-driving measures," Courtney said. "Even professional drivers can slip into bad habits behind the wheel. The simulator training reinforces good driving habits that help improve employee safety and make them better prepared for the unexpected." 

Falls County Road and Bridge employees will take part in a training with the simulator during the week of March 16, where they will receive their Coaching the Vehicle Maintenance Operator II certifications.

There will also be a Health and Wellness Event for courthouse employees, where they can visit with various vendors.

According to Courtney, “It’s all about life safety, holding down accidents, and saving tax-payer dollars.”

TAC's simulator has logged more than 750,000 miles traveling across the state and training drivers at no cost to the counties. For more information on the driving simulator and other services TAC provides to counties, visit county.org.