Teens are constantly taught the dangers of drinking and driving, but feeling the effects first hand puts a whole new meaning behind the message. A local driving school is teaching kids, early on, how a few drinks or even drugs can put yourself and others in danger.
Grand Valley teens got behind the wheel to see the effects that drugs and alcohol can have while driving. They put on goggles that simulated either the effects of being drunk or being high on marijuana, then put their skills to the test.
"You're like oh that's no big deal, but it really is. You can’t see at all. You can’t focus, and when you do try to focus on something, you're focusing on the wrong thing and not the road," said Natalie Plummer who is learning to drive.
According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in about 40 percent of all traffic crashes every year in which someone is killed.
That's why local driving schools say getting the message across, in a safe, real-life like environment early on, can prevent future tragedies.
Cones were set up on a track to show the young drivers what it’s like to maneuver between lanes while impaired. Each cone represents a danger driver’s face.
"Like him saying 'oh that's a small child', or 'that's a person', it scares you because it’s also kind of a reality check like ya there are people out there,” Plummer said.
Not only does this exercise teach young adults the reasons to never get behind the wheel when drinking, but also seeing the effects first hand made some of these kids realize the consequences of even getting in a car with someone under the influence.
This program was part of Western Slope Driving Institute’s 30 hour driving school, and they encourage anyone to come out and take part in this exercise.
Grand Valley teens got behind the wheel to see the effects that drugs and alcohol can have while driving. They put on goggles that simulated either the effects of being drunk or being high on marijuana, then put their skills to the test.
"You're like oh that's no big deal, but it really is. You can’t see at all. You can’t focus, and when you do try to focus on something, you're focusing on the wrong thing and not the road," said Natalie Plummer who is learning to drive.
According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in about 40 percent of all traffic crashes every year in which someone is killed.
That's why local driving schools say getting the message across, in a safe, real-life like environment early on, can prevent future tragedies.
Cones were set up on a track to show the young drivers what it’s like to maneuver between lanes while impaired. Each cone represents a danger driver’s face.
"Like him saying 'oh that's a small child', or 'that's a person', it scares you because it’s also kind of a reality check like ya there are people out there,” Plummer said.
Not only does this exercise teach young adults the reasons to never get behind the wheel when drinking, but also seeing the effects first hand made some of these kids realize the consequences of even getting in a car with someone under the influence.
This program was part of Western Slope Driving Institute’s 30 hour driving school, and they encourage anyone to come out and take part in this exercise.
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