Abingdon High School students simulate drunk, distracted driving

ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — Students at Abingdon High School took part in an impaired and distracted driving class on Monday to give them perspective on dangerous behavior behind the wheel.

The program was a collaboration among the high school, Virginia Army National Guard and Virginia State Police (VSP). Students were able to wear “drunk goggles” while trying to drive a VSP golf cart and a four-wheeled pedal bike.

Students were also able to drive a golf cart through a traffic cone course while trying to text at the same time. This simulated texting and driving and showed teens how much attention is pulled away from the road when attempting to use a phone behind the wheel.

Staff Sergeant Chris Dickenson with the Virginia Army National Guard told News Channel 11 that this experience shows high schoolers that their lives and the lives sharing the road with them are all at risk when driving impaired or distracted.

“I just want them to realize how important it really is, because it’s not just them that we worry about, it’s everybody on the road,” he said. “So to let them understand really being responsible in that vehicle and taking care of everybody on the road.”

Sgt. Dickenson said it’s important to show teenagers that their actions have an impact, even if they don’t think anything bad will ever happen to them.

“Some of the kids just think they can…they’re invincible,” he said. “And then when they put the goggles on, it makes them think really fast, like ‘oh wow’ and actually give them an ability to see how bad it can really be.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.