The SmartWheels bus presented by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in Canada is making its way through Regina to educate residents about the dangers of driving while impaired.

The bus was parked outside the legislative building yesterday, Saturday, to give people a chance to experience what impaired and risky driving looks like with the help of virtual reality (VR).

Those who participate in the experience will be able to understand what driving under the influence of alcohol or cannabis looks like.

The program started in Saskatchewan in 2019 and the bus is one of two in the world. It will remain in Saskatchewan in the coming years and will travel to various elementary schools.

For her part, Darren Chetana, the SmartWheels program coordinator, described the program as "a state-of-the-art educational program not found anywhere else, and it could be the future of education and how we deliver this message about impaired driving and how to avoid it."

The bus is usually used to educate students between grades four and six about why "not to mix" driving with drugs and alcohol.

This specific age group is targeted because they have no idea about drugs and alcohol. But with this program, they get the facts and a good foundation on how to avoid impaired driving and drugs and alcohol as they approach their teenage years.

Chetana added that with school out for the summer, MADD will bring the bus to the community to give residents a 15-minute demo of what the program is like.

The SmartWheels bus will be in Regina until Friday and then will move to other locations.

For more information about the program, you can visit the MADD Canada website.