A few seconds can change everything — especially behind the wheel. Now, juniors and seniors at Guilford High School (GHS) are learning the dangers of distracted and impaired driving firsthand thanks to a partnership between the Guilford Police Department (GPD), GHS, and the International Save a Life Tour.

In its second year, the program aims to reinforce the dangers of texting while driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even a lack of sleep by using driving simulators that put students in the virtual driver’s seat. According to GHS School Resource Officer Scott Gingras, the program has been a success.

“These driving simulators are excellent. They provide these simulators, and they are literally like an Xbox controller with a screen in front of you. The students hit the chair that is also hooked up to the gaming system, so it vibrates if you go over a bump or crash. You actually feel those vibrations through the chair,” Gingras said. “It is very realistic.”

GHS Principal Julia Chaffe said the program utilizes several methods for education, including video and speaker presentations, interactive demonstration with simulators, pre- and post-program surveys, and take-a-ways. According to Gingras, the simulator portion of the program is divided into two portions to focus on distracted and impaired driving.

“They provide an actual cell phone, and the students try to drive and text at the same time while the computer system interacts. It really demonstrates how dangerous it can be to drive distracted. Even for a few seconds, it shows how unsafe that activity is,” Gingras explained. “The other portion is to show the dangers of impaired driving, which can be being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even just being over-tired. The students put a virtual reality headset on, and it really delivers the message of how much your reaction time is slowed down under those circumstances.”

Chaffe said that while the program is geared toward inexperienced drivers at the high school level, all drivers could benefit from its lessons, highlighting the value of gaining real-world experience.

“Even as adults and experienced drivers, it’s easy to forget how dangerous distracted driving can impact your awareness while operating a motor vehicle. And what I like about this program is that it’s a safe way for them to get a simulated driving experience and see how much impact distracted driving really has on an operator,” Chaffe said. “For that reason, it is very valuable. It is very beneficial for kids to have that real-world, real-life experience with virtual reality to get a sense of the danger so that maybe when they are driving a car, they will think twice before answering that text or reaching down for something or even just going through the radio.”

Gingras said student feedback has been enlightening.

“They were really surprised at how difficult it was, especially with the texting and driving portion. It really is an eye-opener for them. And because it's virtual, it’s a safe way to instill these skills,” said Gingras. “I don’t think the students really understand how potentially dangerous it could be…and this program really benefits those students. Just seconds of inattention can have terrible consequences.”

According to International Save a Life Tour representatives, the program is “a comprehensive high impact safe driving awareness program that informs, educates, and demonstrates the potentially deadly consequences resulting from poor choices and decisions made by the operator of a motor vehicle. The program specifically places emphasis on the following driving situations: Distracted Driving, Impaired Driving, Driver Experience, Improper Driver Behavior, and Seat Belt Usage.”

The program was made possible, in part, by the state Department of Education, which sponsors grants that allow municipalities like Guilford to bring the program to students free of charge. Chaffe said the student-led group SADD (Students Against Destroying Dreams) actively coordinated the program and encouraged participation.