Want to know what it’s like to drink and drive? Ford has a suit for that

By Joe Mahan April 1, 2014

dont drink drive try fords suit makes feel drunk driving skills for life program — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ford recently been organized events across Europe for drivers ages 17 to 24. Besides improving their driving skills, students also get to experience a suit that makes them feel drunk.

Convincing people not to drive drunk, especially in Europe where the drinking age is lower, is a difficult task. The suit that Ford made for its Driving Skills for Life program simulates all the effects of drinking such as: reduced vision, reaction times, and hearing.

Sadly, the suit is not all that ingenious of an idea. However, I will afford Ford the applause for implementing it. The suit consists of weights strapped around the wearers, ankles, wrists, and arms. A neck brace restricts movement and goggles reduce peripheral vision.

Ford is adamant about implementing these free driving events, considering a recent survey conducted revealed that 66 percent of of 17-to-24-year-olds in Europe do not know the legal alcohol blood level. A reported 56 percent of individuals in the survey also say their friends have driven under the influence.

Watch the video below to see the suit in action.

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Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…

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