Above: Sienna Sodano, left, Madison Bowden, center, and Johanna Hessel all added their names to a safe driving pledge. Courtsey Massapequa school district
Massapequa High School juniors and seniors experienced the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, without putting themselves or others in danger, during an impactful program on April 1.
The Save a Life Tour once again came to the school, hosted by the Junior/Senior PTSA. Two simulators were set up in the gymnasium. Students experienced impaired driving at one by wearing virtual reality goggles that blurred their view. The machine also didn’t immediately respond when students turned the wheel or pushed a pedal, to simulate delayed reaction time. At the distracted driving machine, each participant was handed a cell phone and had to actively respond to messages while driving.
Before going on the machines, students heard from Save a Life Tour manager Ben Middleton, who shared real stories of people who were injured or killed from distracted, drowsy or drunk driving. When they were done, juniors and seniors were then asked to sign their names to a safe driving pledge.
Below: Alex Fischetti wore a virtual reality headset that simulated blurry vision while using the impaired driving machine.
Senior Grace Hoffman used the impaired driving simulator and said it was very difficult to control the car.
“It’s a good experience because we’re all getting cars and our licenses now,” Grace said, “and it’s an important thing to learn not to drink and drive.”
Cindi St. George, main campus vice president of the PTSA, said the organization brings the Save a Life Tour to the school each year to educate young drivers on the consequences of distracted or impaired driving.
“It’s important for students to be aware of the true dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving,” she said. “This hands-on program allows the students to feel the true effects through high-tech simulators and virtual reality experiences. We hope the students gained a powerful understanding of why they should avoid both impaired and distracted driving. It’s simple; don’t drink and drive and put the phone away.”
Source: Massapequa Post
