Today, Datsun South Africa announced plans to roll out a unique driving simulator to improve driver safety. With its latest innovation, Datsun enables learner drivers to not only take their driving tests in a Datsun GO, but also pass with flying colours. The Datsun GO driving simulator ensures that learners are fully equipped to handle any motorway situation – from bad weather to heavy traffic – and clearly understand the rules of the road.
*Studies have shown that almost all road accidents are a direct result of poor motor vehicle maintenance, driving skills, and road and weather conditions.
“In order to improve safety on our roads, it’s crucial to improve driver understanding of traffic rules and facilitate the learning experience with an affordable learning programme,” says Des Fenner, General Manager of Datsun South Africa. “We will make this achievable with our GO SIM driving simulator, which will soon be available at 10 of our leading Datsun dealers. These dealers, situated in Gauteng, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Durban, will provide a test market over the next three months. Once this is completed, we plan to roll this out to all our 65 Datsun dealers countywide.”
One of the most intimidating experiences endured by learner drivers is taking to the road in a car for the first time. Coordination of hands, eyes and feet is challenging enough, but there is still the behaviour of every other motorist on the road to contend with. All these elements have been reviewed by Datsun, who have partnered with SIM U TEACH, based in Bloemfontein, to bring the learning experience into the 21st century.
The cool, exciting simulator is just like the Datsun GO (one of the leading sellers in the A-segment of the car market since its introduction last year) and is equipped with the model’s modern dashboard and control layout. While the new driver works his or her way through the strict K53 syllabus, they become familiar with the feel, road holding ability and controls of the GO while they zip up and down simulated streets, overtake other vehicles and react to various scenarios on screen – all without the typical anxiety experienced on the actual road.
In essence, Datsun’s new innovation provides a combination of simulation and real driving experience (the actual driving test is done in a GO) that ensures almost 95% of students obtain their K53 licence.
The simulator has been a huge success, assisting young learners to qualify for their South African learner’s and driving licences: they progress through 12 programmed driving modules – including ‘changing gears’, ‘clutch control’, ‘incline park’ and the dreaded ‘parallel park’ – constantly developing their skills and gaining confidence. When they emerge to take to a physical road in a genuine Datsun GO, they are prepared for the challenges and have confidence in their honed skills.
“Datsun has always had a holistic approach to driver safety,” explained Vincent Cobee, Global Head of Datsun, at the introduction to the media. “Though our cars are resilient, secure and easy to manoeuvre, we also recognise the need for affordable, first-rate driver training, because well-trained drivers are safe drivers. Building the confidence of new drivers, getting them familiar with a vehicle and our roads is the best way to achieve a safer environment for all road users. Thanks to Datsun, Datsun dealers and our partnership with SIM U TEACH, we can now assist young South Africans to become better-skilled drivers with certified credentials, allowing them safe access to freedom and independence.”
Additional Info:
The Datsun GO driving simulator is equipped with the following:
A real Datsun GO driving cockpit with:
- Genuine vehicle components
- Adjustable seat with seatbelt
- Active vehicle controls: clutch, brake and accelerator
- Manual gearbox
- Traffic and engine noise with audio response
- Right-hand drive
- All 12 K53 training modules.
The Datsun GO SIM costs R 3,400 (incl.) as stand-alone offering that incorporates both simulator and actual driving. Upon the purchase of a brand new Datsun GO, the cost of the Datsun GO SIM driving simulator module will be included in the purchase price.
*https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Accident-Crash-Statistics and https://www.arrivealive.co.za/Decade-of-Action-for-Road-Safety-2011-2020
For more Datsun news and information visit the Datsun website on www.datsun.co.za , like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/datsunsa, view our YouTube site on www.youtube.com/datsunsa, find us on Instagram, www.instagram.com/datsunsa and/or #Datsunisback on Twitter.