Are Driving Simulators Creating a Generation of Risky Drivers?
Six young lives lost in Nurmijärvi, Finland, this year alone. A chilling statistic that underscores a growing concern among driving instructors: are we sacrificing real-world driving skills for the convenience and cost-effectiveness of simulators? As governments worldwide, including Finland, revise driver’s license laws with an increased focus on risk management, a critical debate is brewing over the role of virtual training versus hands-on experience, particularly when it comes to mastering driving in hazardous conditions.
The Simulator Shift: A Cost-Driven Compromise
The allure of driving simulators is undeniable. They offer a safe, controlled environment to practice dangerous maneuvers – sudden braking, navigating icy roads, even encountering wildlife – without the inherent risks. But traffic teachers like Juho Levänen are sounding the alarm. The core issue isn’t the use of simulators, but the increasing reliance on them, often at the expense of crucial practice on actual driving tracks. “The problem isn’t that simulators are bad,” Levänen explains, “it’s that the legal wording allows driving schools to interpret ‘in part’ as meaning ‘almost entirely.’” This shift is driven, in large part, by cost. Simulators are significantly cheaper to operate than maintaining driving practice tracks and a fleet of vehicles.
The Feeling of Control: Why Virtual Isn’t Reality
The fundamental criticism leveled against simulator-heavy training is simple: it lacks the visceral feedback necessary to truly understand vehicle dynamics. As student drivers Verner Tommiska and Simo Sojalahti vividly described, the experience feels more like a video game than real driving. “You’re staring at a screen, watching the car turn,” Sojalahti explained. “Here, you’re in the car, you feel how it throws in a corner.” This tactile feedback – the subtle cues from the steering wheel, the sensation of weight transfer, the feeling of the tires losing grip – is critical for developing the instinctive reactions needed to avoid accidents. This is especially true in low-traction situations where milliseconds can mean the difference between control and a crash.
The Diminishing Value of Driving Practice Tracks
The consequences of this shift are already visible. Tracks like the one in Riihimäki, Finland, are struggling to stay relevant. Track manager Tom Kemmo laments the lack of investment and the inability to upgrade facilities, including adding electric vehicles for modern training. These tracks represent a vital link to practical, real-world skill development, but they are slowly being sidelined as simulators gain prominence. The potential loss of these facilities represents a significant blow to comprehensive driver education.
Beyond the Simulator: A Holistic Approach to Risk Management
The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications acknowledges the concerns, with specialist Monika Mutanen admitting the current draft law was developed on a tight schedule and prioritized “the most effective actions to be promoted quickly.” However, simply increasing the mandated hours of risk identification training – from 8 to 12 – without addressing the simulator imbalance may be insufficient. A truly effective approach requires a blend of theoretical knowledge, simulator practice (best suited for initial exposure to risky scenarios and practicing hazard perception), and, crucially, substantial real-world training in challenging conditions.
Experts like Harri Saartenkorpi, Education Manager at Häme Vocational Institute, recognize the value of simulators for safe learning environments. However, he also concedes that “with the right car, you get a better feel for how it feels when you are about to lose control.” This highlights the need for a balanced curriculum that prioritizes experiential learning.
The Future of Driver Training: Embracing Technology, Preserving Instinct
The future of driver training likely lies in a hybrid model. Advanced simulators, incorporating haptic feedback and more realistic physics engines, will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role. However, these technologies must be viewed as supplemental to, not a replacement for, real-world experience. Furthermore, the industry needs to explore innovative ways to make practical training more accessible and affordable. Perhaps government subsidies for driving tracks, or partnerships between driving schools and local municipalities, could help preserve these vital resources.
Traffic safety engineer Jaakko Klang’s observation is particularly poignant: “In life, we have learned that things learned by experimenting in practice are better remembered. In video games, you can die and restart the game. In real life, that is not possible.” The stakes are simply too high to compromise on the development of instinctive, real-world driving skills.
What role should government regulation play in balancing simulator use and practical driving experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
