After the school day, over 400 juniors and seniors drive off of campus with a tempting and dangerous device in their cars: their cellphones.
In an effort to combat distracted driving, Principal Amy Sample and Mr. Nic Crider organized a real-world exercise to serve as a learning experience. On August 24, 130 St. X juniors participated in the Arrive Alive Tour and learned the consequences of drugged, drunk and distracted driving without harming people in the process.
“We chose juniors because they are the newest drivers in the building and this experience fits well in the curriculum for Ethics and Morality,” Crider said. “My hope is, this will cause them to not let their phone or other technology in the car take their eyes off the road.”
The simulation was tough. I don’t currently use my phone while driving, however moving forward I definitely won’t use it after experiencing the simulation.
— Jackson Graeter
Mr. Chad Bader and Mr. Stephen Murphy, both Ethics and Morality teachers, volunteered their students for the simulator. The participants entered a real Jeep Compass and wore a virtual reality headset. The vehicle’s steering, gas and brake mechanisms were activated to simulate a real-life situation. Some students had a cellphone in their hand to distract them from the road.
Although the weather was nearly too hot to handle, students walked away with helpful tips. This tour was started in 2009 with the goal of growing awareness of the dangers of impaired driving. Their mission statement is to provide, “educational programs that are designed to heighten awareness to the dangers and consequences of drunk driving, distracted driving, and texting while driving.” In a society where technology is more prominent than ever, it is imperative to educate current and future drivers about the consequences of distracted driving.
The vehicle is equipped with sensors that detect their faults during the simulation. The juniors received a ticket at the end of the simulation that outlined their faults during the experience.
According to Arrive Alive:
- Approximately 660,000 drivers are attempting to use their phones while operating a vehicle at any one time of the day.
- Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
- In 13% of fatal collisions in 2019, a cell phone was used. 3,142 people nationwide were killed in 2895 of these tragic crashes.
- 75% of teens say their friends text and drive
