Students participate in DUI simulation
GEORGES TWP. – About 300 students at Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School had the chance Wednesday to experience what it is like to drive under the influence of alcohol. The Pennsylvania DUI Association and Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission provided activities for the students to show them just how dangerous drinking and driving can be.
One of the activities that the students participated in was a DUI simulator, which gave them an opportunity to experience how consuming alcohol can affect a driver’s ability to control a car.
“The kids like it and it is supposed to be a learning experience,” said Mike Martin, event coordinator for the Pennsylvania DUI Association. “We hope that they will take that away with them.”
Kayla Umbaugh, a student at the vo-tech school, took a turn behind the wheel of the simulator.
“It felt so real,” she said. “It was a neat experience and it will keep me from driving drunk because you never know what can happen.”
Ronald Kimmell, a student and class representative who also is a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), said he thinks it was a good learning experience for him and his fellow students.
“If they take it serious, I think this will teach them not to drink and drive,” said Kimmell.
Student Casey Brookins said the simulator provided a challenge and showed her what it would be like to get behind the wheel intoxicated.
“I only lasted 15 seconds before another car hit me,” said Brookins. “I was swerving and couldn’t do anything really.”
Kelly Reshenberg, a prevention specialist with the Drug and Alcohol Commission, said that with prom and graduation season right around the corner, this is a good time to remind students about the dangers of drinking and driving.
“This is the time frame that we like to target,” she said. “It’s a time where people want to celebrate their graduation, and we hope that this will have a little impact on the students.”
According to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, in 2008 there were 12,752 alcohol-related crashes in Pennsylvania, and 492 driver and passenger deaths in those crashes. Twenty-two percent of the driver deaths involved young drivers ages 16 to 20.
Martin said that they have taken this program to different high schools and colleges around the country and he believes this is an effective way to keep students from driving under the influence of alcohol.
“It’s all about planting the seed early,” said Martin. “I feel comfortable that we are making progress. If we put 120 kids through here and we affect one of them, then we have done our job.”