Special thanks to PJHS health teachers Mr. Striharsky and Mrs. Perez for allowing ADAC the opportunity to bring in Orange County STOP-DWI/Traffic Safety's newest presentation on Drowsy and Distracted Driving.
On 1/8 and 1/9, PJCSD Prevention Specialist Denise Hulse, along with ADAC colleagues Arabia Shearn and MCSD Prevention Specialist Wanda Marrero, presented to 8 health classes with 130 students participating over the 2 days.
Students were first shown a short slide presentation explaining NYS-specific driving laws, which included examples of distracted driving, drowsy driving, and the newest technology of goggles to experience both.
Students also learned statistics like:
- Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and serious injury for people ages 16-24.
- There are 22,000 licensed drivers in Orange County.
- Nine people are killed and 1,000 people are injured every day by a distracted driver in NYS.
- One text equals driving an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Students were then given instructions and routes to take on the floor mat, both while driving regularly and then drowsy or distracted while wearing the goggles. They also had to obey all traffic laws and avoid hitting our tourist, "Walter".
Students also had the opportunity to participate in a table puzzle activity. They were timed completing the puzzle with no goggles and then timed again with the drowsy and distracted goggles on.
The students were respectful and fully engaged. When ADAC asked the students for feedback at the end of each class, their responses were positive, saying "they really enjoyed the presentation" and were "leaving with new facts and knowledge in regards to the dangers of drowsy and distracted driving."
