On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office will demonstrate the Simulated Impaired Driving Experience, or SIDNE (pronounced “Sydney,” as in Sydney, Australia) to the Florida Sheriff’s Ranches Youth Villa for Girls. The girls will be provided with a demonstration and the opportunity to drive it at the Youth Villa located just east of Bartow on Highway 60, in order to demonstrate the dangerous effects of drunk driving. The news media will also be offered an opportunity to operate the vehicle.
The Simulated Impaired Driving Experience, or SIDNE vehicle, is a battery-powered vehicle that simulates the effects of impairment from alcohol or other drugs on a motorist’s driving skills. The vehicle can be set to simulate different levels of impairment.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeland Police Department have teamed together to offer this educational program countywide. The SIDNE vehicle will be used at schools, churches, and events throughout the year to educate young drivers and/or soon to be drivers on the effects that alcohol or other drugs can have on one’s ability to drive.
The Youth Villa in Bartow is one of 4 residential sites operated by the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The Villa provides a home for girls that provides structure, education, and traditional family values. Girls from ages 8-18 come to the Youth Villa from a variety of backgrounds and family situations.
PCSO Sergeant Robert Sessions approached the Youth Villa with the opportunity to experience the SIDNE vehicle due to the fact many of the girls will be approaching the driving age or are beginning drivers.
About 20-25 girls from the Youth Villa and any media representatives will have the opportunity to experience the SIDNE and wear the FATAL VISION goggles that vividly demonstrate the concept of impairment by showing the effects of alcohol and drugs on the human brain.
The awareness message delivered by SIDNE is clear. Participants experience with a sober brain how it feels when reaction time is slowed and they are unable to make a turn or stop, even when they have time and space. This demonstration helps the SIDNE driver to experience first-hand the potentially deadly consequences of delayed reaction on their driving skills.
The SIDNE vehicle was purchased by GEICO and donated to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and The Lakeland Police Department this year.
The media is invited to attend and will have the opportunity to experience the SIDNE vehicle. For more information, please contact Stephanie Mier at 863.534.6694.