Ford Aims to Curb Drugged Driving

To demonstrate how the use of illegal drugs can impair driving skills, Ford Motor Co. has created a specially designed body suit. The carmaker will use the suit—along with last year’s drunk driving suit—in its Ford Driving Skills for Life education program for young drivers worldwide.

Designed in conjunction with scientists from the Meyer-Hentschel Institute in Germany, the new Drugged Driving suit uses goggles, headphones, heavy padding and weights to simulate the effects of drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, heroin and marijuana. This includes slower reaction times, distorted vision, reduced mobility and poor coordination.

The suit also includes vibrating gloves that produce a tremor similar to what some drugs can cause, while random flashing lights in the peripheral of the goggles and hallucinogenic-type sounds are generated by the headphones. The goggles also can be used to distort perception and add colorful auras to simulate LSD use.

Citing a 2013 national survey on drug use and health, Ford says nearly 10 million Americans have admitted driving under the influence of drugs. About 18% of driver deaths involve drugs other than alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Launched in 2003, Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program is designed to help newly licensed drivers and their parents learn and adopt safe driving skills in a controlled environment. The program, which will be offered in 30 countries by the end of the year, has taught a cumulative 150,000 students, according to Ford.

Click here to watch a video demonstration of the drugged driving suit.