NCJ Number
104990
Date Published
1986
Length
166 pages
Annotation
Simulator technology should be included in law enforcement driver training in California, because simulators can significantly improve officers' preparation for their unique driving requirements.
Abstract
The result would be a reduction in the accidents and injuries that currently cost California law enforcement agencies tens of millions of dollars every year. Data from 1984 indicated an annual rate of 7,900 accidents involving police vehicles, 17 fatalities, and injuries to 1,400 police officers and 1,700 citizens. Current training cannot give police safe experience in pursuit driving or in the complex observation and communications functions they must perform while driving at low speeds. Using advanced simulators can make driver training nearly as effective as flight training and other military applications that use sophisticated simulators. Cost is the major barrier to implementing simulation technology into law enforcement driver training. Developing a prototype could cost between $10 and $15 million. Subsequent copies would probably cost 25 to 50 percent of the prototype's costs. Using a statewide approach to simulator training could spread the costs over several years, reduce the costs of current facilities, and producing savings by lowering accident rates. Figures, data tables, and appendixes listing performance objectives for driver training, vendors of simulation systems, a sample scenario for simulator training, and reports and files on simulator training.