Letters to the editor for the week of Feb. 9, 2012

Driving simulator sought to help area students

Editor, The Sun

The follow is a summary of a presentation I gave to both the Town of Hamburg and Village of Hamburg Boards. Recently we have lost far too many young lives to texting and distracted driving accidents. I believe we need more than pledges to get drivers (including adults) to see the true danger. I also believe it is our responsibility to make our teens safer drivers and driving simulators are an answer.

The presentation is as follows:

Three years ago I began a campaign to bring driving simulators back into the Hamburg and Frontier school systems as a joint venture. I started this drive because I realized our teens do not have enough experience, especially if they are unable to take a drivers-ed course, before they are given a license to drive. Due to a seizure disorder I was not cleared to drive until I was 40. My only option was to pay for driving lessons for about $450 for eight car lessons and the three-hour course. I had the seizures since infancy and was left with a learning disability. Being an adult, I realized the seriousness of driving and was not able to reach a comfort level in 8 lessons and could not afford more. Someone told me about driving simulators, and if they were available, it would be of great help me and many others. Personally, it would give me a safe place to make mistakes and build my skills. This started me thinking about the way we teach driving today to all non-drivers and the other applications a simulator could have in a community.

Unfortunately, the project was unable to proceed due to the economic downturn. Budgets became crunched and funds dried up. I am revisiting this subject today for two reasons. First, the Town of Hamburg is creating a technology center in its Senior Complex, creating the perfect place to house two or three table top simulator units. Second, and more important, is the recent string of tragic losses of young lives due to distracted driving, especially texting while driving. I see driving simulators helping communities in the following ways:

Kids/Teens-

• Teens need 50 hours of drive time. Not many parents have that much time to spare or are unable to be the passenger. Also they may not be able to pay for drivers-ed or another qualified driver to meet the requirement.

• Teens are given a safe place to make mistakes. The program can simulate any weather condition, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving. They can have their accidents without any true physical and financial cost. This extra practice, in varied environments, makes them safer drivers and increases safety on the road for everyone. It helps ensure they will come home every night.

• Kids can be taken to the simulators as a field trip and begin to understand the effects of drunk and distracted driving. They can become the little voice that reminds mom and dad not to be on the phone. Just look at the effect kids have had on getting the rest of us to recycle and save energy.

Adults-

• In today’s economy not all 16-year-olds can afford to drive. Parents may not have the money to pay for lessons or insurance. Learning to drive as an adult is much more difficult. As an adult, most recognize the responsibility of having a license and it is a huge out of pocket expense. Having someplace to practice increases confidence, and same as the teen driver, makes adults safer on the road.

• Adults who have had a medical crisis or physical impairment can be evaluated or retrained for driving.

• The town can use the simulator for the court system or employee safety training/evaluation. Chronic traffic offenders can be sentenced to a training session to prove they know how to drive. Some driving simulators can be programmed to simulate bus, truck, or other vehicle types. Town employees can be trained or tested on the system to ensure safety.

As you can see, there are many uses for one system. The potential for saving money from property damage and insurance cost, not to mention the value of saving just one life, far outweighs initial cost. I have already been in contact with Legislator Lynne Dixon, Town Councilman Joe Collins, Mayor Tom Moses, and Former Legislator Bob Reynolds. The ideas for getting funds include federal stimulus grant, donations, and the Stop DWI program. Please seriously consider adding this valuable technology to the Senior Center, or if not proper there, somewhere else. Anyone interested in my endeavor or if you are interested in helping to fund or have ideas for funding please contact me at 392-3458.

Bill E. Gates
Hamburg



Resident asks for return of flag

Editor, The Sun

I lived in the Village of Hamburg for 40 years and have never had to worry that something on my property would be taken.

Well, all that changed when I went to pick up my morning paper on Saturday, Jan. 28. I discovered that my skier flag and flag pole was missing. It was a gift from my daughter and son-in-law. Because we are a skiing family, I fly that flag all winter. Everyone knows my house by that flag.

There is no monetary value that anyone would be interested in. If you have my flag, please return in.



Dorothy Dworakowski
Hamburg