Arrive Alive Tour Stresses Safe Driving

Herricks High School emphasized the importance of safe driving on June 1, when the Arrive Alive Tour from UNITE visited the campus. Sponsored by the Bellmore-Merrick Community Parent Center, this impaired and distracted driving education program gave students in grades 9-12 a first-hand look at how dangerous distracted driving is in any form.
The program featured a high-tech simulator that put participants in the driver’s seat of a stationary vehicle while providing realistic experiences that demonstrated the impact of distracted driving. In a controlled environment, they saw for themselves the serious risks and consequences associated with intoxicated and distracted driving. Those outside of the vehicle were able to view the road simulation on a video screen.
Another highlight of the tour was a seatbelt convincer provided by the New York state police. Those who volunteered to take a seat in the device were taken by surprise as they felt the force of a crash at only five miles per hour.
Students participated in several activities while wearing goggles that replicated the vision impairments that intoxication poses and how this inhibits a person’s ability to complete even the most minimal tasks, as well as ones of greater magnitude such as driving. As attendees struggled to stack plastic cups, complete puzzles and walk straight lines with the specially designed eyewear, they realized the implications that alcohol consumption carries.
“It’s definitely scary,” said senior Kimberly Podlaski following her simulator experience. “If you see someone swerving, let them pass and get off the road. The simulator shows you the reality of it.”
“It was a lot harder than I thought,” said Jillian Clark, after attempting the cup exercise. “It is hard to drive a car as it is, and we realized what adding extra issues can do.”
Herricks High School underscores safe driving all year, and the Arrive Alive Tour supported its efforts. The Bellmore-Merrick Community Parent Center donated everything that made the operation possible.
“This is a day to raise awareness,” said Bellmore-Merrick Community Parent Center Director Wendy Tepfer. “This time of year, it is especially important. We want kids to drive safely and responsibly. This is the best we can do to show them the importance in a safe environment.”
Tepfer noted that the most hazardous driving period of the year, known as the 100 Deadliest Days, just recently began.
UNITE brings health and wellness programs to high school and college campuses across the nation. Its programs are designed to heighten awareness to the dangers and consequences of impaired and distracted driving. These events have a powerful impact on students to reinforce the subjects that schools and parents teach them daily.