Students try distracted and impaired driving simulators

Students at Mendon and Centreville high schools last week experienced realistic scenarios that reinforce risks associated with distracted driving and driving while impaired.

A pair of simulators that included virtual-reality headsets were set up at each school’s gymnasium by International Save a Life Tour, through Grand Rapids-based Education Systems Support Inc.

In Mendon on Wednesday and Centreville the following day, company representative Titus Koso oversaw the demonstrations. He said the virtual experience is hopefully as close to impaired or distracted driving any of the freshmen through senior students will ever get.

Though participation was optional, most students at both schools tried out the experience. Koso said the impaired-driving simulator intentionally features delayed reactions and lapses in judgment that typically result in a crash. The distracted-driving simulator often does, too.

He said there’s great value in helping students experience the feeling of driving while intoxicated, as most probably don’t have first-hand understanding of how alcohol affects reflexes and judgment.