Simulator puts students behind the wheel for lessons in distracted, impaired driving

WAKEFIELD, Mich. (WLUC) - Western Upper Peninsula high school students got a hands-on lesson in distracted and impaired driving on Tuesday.

In the Wakefield-Marenisco High School gym, two simulators were set up to show the effects texting and drinking can have on driving. Two students say it puts into perspective the impacts texting or drinking can have on driving.

“It was a lot easier to feel it and experience it instead of just being told not to do it,” said sophomore Blaike Paquette.

“I found the texting one more difficult because it was really hard for me to pay attention to both things at the same time,” said sophomore Avery Keast.

The Save a Life Tour set up the simulation. Instructor Titus Koso says they travel all over the country to provide hands-on education for safe driving.

“A few kids were on here talking about (the simulator) lagging,” Koso explained. “‘That‘s not how my car feels.’ I tried to remind them; you don’t drive under the influence every day. This is for when you’re in that situation, so when you are under the influence that’s how it feels. Your decisions are lagging, your vision is not there, it’s not 100%.”

Paquette and Keast say they want more schools to host simulations like this. They say they prefer these types of lessons instead of lectures.

“I think if more people our age experienced it then we would have a lot less crashes because people would actually realize what it would be like,” Paquette said.

“I crashed in both simulators. I never want to experience that in real life,” Keast said.

The Save a Life Tour is a part of Matrix Entertainment based in Grand Rapids.

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