From time to time I read articles on the benefits of driving simulation. Certainly, as one in the business of building and selling driving simulation products, the more positive the articles, the better.

When I talk to friends, family and acquaintances about what I do for a living, most people get it. Many have had experiences in a driving simulator, typically from their high school driver education days. The unfortunate thing is that the simulation experience they have had was based on a less-than-quality driving simulation system. All driving simulation is not alike. There is good simulation and not-so-good simulation.

In one recent article, the author stated that "learning how to drive through simulators or driving virtually for an instance can actually help deal with probable perilous emergency situations, vehicle malfunctions and other crucial scenarios regarding driving and its corresponding consequences." This is a message everyone can understand.

A challenge driver educators have is to build a business case for the investment in the simulation equipment and the associated operations and marketing efforts surrounding it. Specifically, will a parent pay more for their son's or daughter's drivers education program if it incorporates a driving simulator? Are there enough of these people to justify the investment?

In the clinical world, a driving simulator can help an individual return to "normal life" after experiencing a medical situation -- a stroke, brain injury, spinal injury, orthopaedic procedure, etc? Occupational therapists provide an invaluable service by working with people on life's skills. They help people re-learn the normal things we all take for granted:  putting on our shoes, brushing our teeth, preparing our meals, washing our clothes, driving our cars.

There have been great improvements in driving simulation technology over the past five years. Using driving simulation for novice driver education and individual wellness and therapy are becoming important tools for helping to create safer driving for all. DriveSafety is doing its part to further this cause.