Teenagers experience the dangers of impaired driving through new technology

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Your teenager is more likely to die driving than doing anything else. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.

The Chicopee Police Department is teaching high school students about a big cause of car crashes, impaired driving. But, not in the way you learned. Officers are using new tech to fix the age-old issue.

It only takes a few seconds to crash, especially if you’re under the influence. That’s what Chicopee students are learning though the Arrive Alive program.

“By bringing this scenario to them, they can see how quickly they can lose focus.” Said Officer Travis Odiorne of the Chicopee Police Department.

Ninth grader Travis LeBlanc is getting his learners permit soon and was the first to “drive.” Though his crash was fake, he walked away with a real lesson.

“Never drink or do like drugs or anything when you’re on the road. It’s very dangerous and it can damage your life a lot.” Said LeBlanc.

That’s something students can really see using this simulator. From swerving, to gripping the wheel, to crashes, Officer Odiorne said it gives students a first-hand look at impaired driving that textbooks and lectures just can’t.

“This interaction actually puts them behind the wheel, and they can see the effects of the impairment as they’re driving down the road.” Officer Odiorne added.

Here’s how it works: students get into their car where they’ll find a virtual reality headset. That is going to make it look like the student’s impaired. Once behind the wheel, it’s just like they’re driving. And while they’re doing all of this, a monitor is watching them through the screen and checking off every traffic law they break.

This can be anything from speeding to a crash, and even manslaughter. They could crash without even knowing where they are going.

“I was speeding, swerving, driving on the incorrect side of the road, and driving off the road. And I had a collision, a crash.” Said freshman Trinity McCarthy. She shared that those are all the charges she racked up on her drive.

“It could have led to many injuries. I could have had a concussion or somebody else could have died or I could have died in a real-life situation.” McCarthy added. She said that she learned the same lesson as LeBlanc and all her other classmates.

“After this experience, will you ever drink alcohol and get behind the wheel?” Asked Western Mass News’ Sloane Wick.

“Absolutely not. No.” McCarthy replied.

Students, educators, and parents can also learn about distracted driving through Arrive Alive.