Does Simulator Sickness Impair Learning Decision Making While Driving a Police Vehicle? - Study Findings

Oct 15, 2026

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Driving simulators are an innovation used for police training in Quebec, yet their effects on meeting training objectives require scrutiny. This study reports results from 71 police cadets across six simulator-based sessions focused on decision-making during emergency driving and pursuit. It documents the discomfort participants experienced and the consequences for training performance. Findings emphasize the importance of the first session and the need for adequate trainee support, alongside instructor preparation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Résumé

Introduction

Literature Review

Simulator Sickness

Causes of Simulator Sickness

Does Simulator Sickness Impair Learning Decision Making While Driving a Police Vehicle? Le mal du simulateur: un frein à l’apprentissage de la prise de décision en conduite d’un véhicule de police? Eve Paquette, École nationale de police du Québec Danielle-Claude Bélanger, École nationale de police du Québec Abstract The use of driving simulators is an innovation for police training in Quebec. There are some issues related to their impact on training objectives. This article presents the results of a study involving 71 police cadets who participated in six training sessions with a driving simulator. The training sessions were designed for developing the decision-making skills in regard to emergency driving and pursuit. The nature and consequences of the discomfort experienced by the participants is described. The results highlight the importance of the initial training session. Issues related to providing trainees with adequate support are discussed. Résumé Le simulateur de conduite est un outil pédagogique novateur pour la formation policière au Québec. Il comporte des enjeux à l’égard de l’atteinte des objectifs pédagogiques visés. L’article présente les résultats d’une recherche menée auprès de 71 aspirants policiers ayant participé à une formation de six séances au simulateur de conduite visant le développement des compétences en matière de prise de décision en conduite d’urgence et en poursuite. Les résultats dressent un portrait des malaises ressentis par les participants et de leurs impacts. Les résultats montrent également l’importance de la première séance. La discussion s’attarde aux enjeux liés à l’accompagnement des apprenants. Introduction Although the integration of simulators into police training in Quebec is an innovation offering many advantages, it also raises questions regarding the fulfilment of training objectives. The driving simulator provides an opportunity for cadets to drive a police vehicle in an environment where their safety and that of the population is not put at risk. This educational tool is also used to develop scenarios involving real-time decision-making. Thus, the cadets can immediately see the impact of their decisions. Several studies have reported the occurrence of symptoms or discomfort in individuals exploring virtual reality environments (Bergeron, Paquette, & Thiffault, 2001; Howarth & Finch, 1999; Lawson, Sides, & Hickinbotham, 2002; McCauley, 1984; Regan, 1997; Trick & Caird, 2011). More specifically, users of driving simulators may develop some physiological reactions known as ‘simulator sickness’. These reactions may be serious enough to interfere with training activities (Kolasinski, 1995; Mollenhauer, 2004) . In light of this, this article will: 1) establish the prevalence of simulator sickness for the cadets who participated to the study; 2) characterize the adaptation of trainees to the driving simulator training program; 3) shed light on the impact of this condition on training activities intended to develop decision making during emergency driving and pursuits. This study confirms the interest of integrating virtual reality technologies into police training, with the caveats that special attention must be paid to the initial training session and that trainees, most of whom adapt well, receive adequate support. It is also true that concern for trainees must be paralleled by preparation of instructors. Our conclusions indicate some way of ensuring this. Literature Review Simulator Sickness Some individuals who drive in a virtual reality environment experience malaises that resemble motion sickness. These symptoms may take the form of nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, headaches, heat flashes, or excessive perspiration (Mullen, Weaver, Riendeau, Morrison, & Bédard, 2010) . Several terms are used for this condition: cybersickness (McCauley & Sharkey, 1992), simulator sickness (Havron & Butler, 1957; Kolasinski, 1995), and simulator adaptation

FAQs

What training context does the study examine?

It examines Quebec police cadets using a driving simulator to develop decision-making skills for emergency driving and pursuit.

How was simulator sickness assessed in the study?

The study describes the discomfort and symptoms experienced by 71 cadets after participation in six simulator training sessions.

Why is the first training session considered important?

The results highlight that special attention to the initial session is important, suggesting it strongly influences how trainees adapt and how discomfort affects learning activities.

Oct 15, 2026

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