Essex launches interceptor simulator

Essex Police has developed an innovative use for a patrol car damaged beyond repair. Rather than write it off, the force has managed to convert the limited edition Prodrive Subaru Impreza GB270 into a fully-functional simulator, using funding from the Essex Road Safety Partnership.
The simulator will prove a significant benefit to the force as it plays a key role in officer training.
Chief Inspector Paul Moor said: “The simulator is a completely new concept.
“It’s very hard to recreate a police pursuit safely on the public roads. By putting officers into a simulator with real police pursuit videos playing, we can put them in a very realistic situation that puts them under stress, allowing us to judge how they perform under pressure, while teaching them how to do vital pursuit commentary.”
The car was unveiled at a legal cruise and drifting event in Purfleet on August 21 where it was used to educate young drivers on road safety.
Organised by Pure Carma, the event was supported by Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Thurrock Council’s road safety department.
Thurrock Council road safety manager, Denise Langham said: “Events like this are imperative to engage with 17-25 year olds, who usually have the most accidents. Organised cruising events really bring it home to the young drivers that they are safer showing off on the track than they are on the roads.”
In future, the simulator will be used widely at public events as a novel way to communicate with an age group that is traditionally hard to reach.
Chief Insp Moor said this aspect is priceless: “If we save one person’s life by educating people on the dangers of driving carelessly, then the simulator has done its job.”