rec.autos.simulators

Hello All.

My wife is a nervous driver, to the point where she just won't drive.  This
is a major pain!  I think she can benefit from a simulator.  I need one that
you actually get into, not a home PC program.  This would build confidence
so she could learn basic driving skills WITHOUT the crippling fear.

We've tried instructors who specialize in training nervous drivers but that
didn't do it.

She does have a license and she does want to do this.  We live just north of
Denver.  Know of any?

Thanks,

Glenn.

I just want to say that I really respect her decision to not drive until
the problem is solved.

I don't know if this is quite what you're after, but you might get the
results you're seeking with an Atari "Hard Driving" or "Race Driving"
arcade unit... these were sit-in simulators, with force feedback and a
fairly convincing physics model for their time. They're not very common
anymore, but some arcades still have them around... if not, a call to an
arcade machine supplier might turn one up.

Good luck,

Trips

Sierra has an Eductational title, "Driver's Education 98". For more info,
visit their website at www.sierra.com , go to the "family & learning
section, then choose the "Driver's Education Deluxe Edition" from the
drop-down list.

I haven't "played" it, but it does look pretty good. When you select the
title from the drop-down list, a new windows opens up with 4 or 5 different
links to driving education, ex: rules of the road, MADD.

"Driver's Education 98" even comes with a MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE that you'll
pass your driver's test!

Looks very promising..
If this doesn't do it.. then there's no hope for her!! :o))

Good luck,
doktorB
http://webhome.idirect.com/~drbryan/gpl

Might I suggest finding a track in the area that would let you take a street
car on it, also use something that she is comfortable in, like a small
compact car, don't send her out in a big car that is hard to see out of.  If
there are no tracks that will let you rent for a day, take her out on some
country roads to get familiar with the car, somewhere where there is no one
else around.  Get her comfortable with the car before you send her out on
busy roads.

I have played Drivers Education 98 and found it to be a *VERY* good
driving simulator.  It is very strict in that you must signal, look over
your shoulder, pull up to stop signs slowly and pull over for emergency
vehicles.  You even get to drive on the interstate - whoo hoo.

I would love to see all new drivers pass the tests in this program.

If they would only release a version where you can out-run the cops ;)
In this version the test ends once you speed for more than 5 or 10 seconds.

Jason.

--
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Jason Monds
(Remove 'no spork' when replying)

I'd second the suggestion to find a "Race Drivin'" (sit-down version).

I was a consultant to the design group at Atari.  While the game was in the
development lab, we trained several people (non-engineers) to drive a
stick-shift (they had never used a clutch in their lives).

I've also watched little kids (like 10 yrs) learn to drive on this game
(I've got one of my own) and I'm convinced that they will grow up to be
decently _skilled_ drivers -- the game taught them to steer smoothly, not
in the jerky fashion that kids often do on other games.  The _judgement_
that comes with road experience is another matter...We all had to survive
our ***age years.

Call around the arcades (and arcade machine suppliers) until you find one.
Since it's been about 9 years since the first version was introduced, the
cost per play is now pretty cheap.  If there was one in stock at a supply
company, (not in an arcade) you might work a deal to have them set it on
"free play" (simple from the internal setup screens) and pay by the hour.

Even better would be to find one of the (few) actual simulators that Atari
built (I think they were labeled with another name, maybe ASC(?))  These
were sold primarily as police trainers, and had 2 extra screens (side
screens) to give about 150 deg field of view.  They also have more
realistic traffic situations, instead of the different race & stunt
courses that are in the games.  Why not give your local cops a call?

-- Doug

                Milliken Research Associates Inc.