"Assisting in Changing the Behavior of High-Risk Drivers with the 'Driving Simulator' Project in Shahroud"

The driving simulator device (simulator) provides users with the opportunity to learn and master a wide range of skills, from basic to advanced levels.

This device facilitates the improvement of driving education methods and the assessment of individuals' eligibility for obtaining a driving license.

Integrating this device into driving schools revolutionizes training, enabling a realistic evaluation of drivers' abilities. This, in turn, significantly reduces accidents caused by insufficient driving skills.

On Wednesday, the President of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Emamian, spoke to IRNA on the sidelines of a joint technical meeting to evaluate the driving simulator project. The meeting was attended by members of the National Road Safety Commission, traffic police, university officials, emergency services, and representatives from executive organizations. It was held in the university's virtual conference hall to strengthen intersectoral cooperation and seriously reduce traffic accidents in Shahroud, Miami, and the connecting roads, which annually witness the passage of over 20 million travelers and pilgrims heading to the shrine of Imam Reza (AS).

Dr. Emamian highlighted the two-year research study conducted by Shahroud University of Medical Sciences and noted that the project was implemented last year, involving 167 high-risk drivers referred to the simulator center by the traffic police.

He added that a follow-up evaluation a year later revealed remarkable results: according to police reports, out of the 167 participants, only three driving violations were recorded in the following year. This demonstrated a significant improvement in driving behavior.

Dr. Emamian emphasized the effectiveness of the intervention, stating that this program needs robust support from authorities to minimize traffic accidents through behavioral changes among drivers.

Referring High-Risk Drivers to the Simulator Center Starting in 2025

He noted that one of the project's objectives is to assess the impact of psychological interventions and safety education on high-risk drivers. Beginning in 2025, individuals with multiple driving violations will be referred to the simulator center for better training and skill enhancement.

The university president explained that driving simulation is just one aspect of this initiative. Other interventions, including collaborations with schools, media outlets, and relevant organizations to disseminate safety education to the general public, are also planned. These collective efforts aim to foster behavioral change among drivers and reduce traffic accidents.

Dr. Emamian identified traffic accidents as one of the country's significant concerns. Over the years, collaborative efforts with the police, road and urban development authorities, and media have led to behavioral changes in drivers, resulting in a 30% reduction in fatalities from such incidents.

He pointed out that annual traffic accident fatalities have decreased from 28,000 to 20,000. However, he stressed that accident prevention isn't solely the responsibility of the police. Enhancing driving safety through education and cultural promotion requires intersectoral collaboration among various executive bodies and public participation.

In response to the high annual death toll from traffic accidents, specialized safety engineering programs were introduced 15 years ago. After conducting international studies and receiving approval from the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, the Master's program in Road and Transportation Safety Engineering was established at Tarbiat Modares University in 2019.

Since its inception, this academic program has been well-received, with graduates finding diverse job opportunities in the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, the traffic police, and private consulting firms specializing in road and traffic engineering.

Shahroud County, located in the eastern part of Semnan Province, has a population of over 200,000.