MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 5, 2015
LHSC adds distracted driving simulator to awareness toolkit
London, ON - Staff and visitors of London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) will be able to witness the challenges of driving distracted first-hand this week as the Trauma Program demonstrates their new Distracted Driving Simulator at Victoria Hospital.
The simulator, which was purchased with funds raised through the "Trauma Golf Classic" - one of the many community events that donate their proceeds through London Health Sciences Foundation - allows participants to experience the effects of various driving distractions including talking hands-free on a cell phone, attempting to text, and driving while impaired.
“The simulator does a great job of highlighting the errors you make while driving distracted that you might not realize in a real-world situation,” says LHSC Injury Prevention Specialist Brandon Batey. “It also takes you through the consequences of those mistakes, from EMS working on your injuries following an accident, to the police charging you, the judge reading your sentence, and victims’ families reading impact statements.”
This fall, the simulator will be introduced into the IMPACT Program which is presented to over 5,000 secondary school students annually, as well as conferences and safety events throughout the region.
“The ultimate goal of the simulator is to raise awareness of distracted driving and the consequences it can bring,” says Tania Haidar, Injury Project Associate. “What may seem simple, like looking at a message on your phone, or making a quick call while driving can lead to tragic, and potentially fatal, consequences.”
Media are invited to try the distracted driving simulator on Thursday, August 6 from 11:00am – 1:00pm. The simulator will be set up in the B Zone, 2nd Floor Atrium. Please RSVP to Kathy Leblanc if you will be attending.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 140 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
About the IMPACT Program
For over 20 years, London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) trauma program has been making an impact on the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of teenagers to reduce drinking/drugging and driving through its Impact program. Supported since 2007 by Children's Health Foundation, Impact aims to heighten teen awareness of the potential consequences of high-risk behaviour.
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For media inquiries contact:
Kathy Leblanc
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 74772
kathy.leblanc@lhsc.on.ca
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call
Visit the LHSC Media web site at www.lhsc.on.ca/media
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