The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘DISTRACTOLOGY’ LESSON
Students drive simulator to understand consequences of distracted driving
WINSTED >> Adam Choquette, a junior at Northwestern Regional High School No. 7, sat behind the wheel Monday afternoon, his eyes flitting back and forth between his cell phone by his side, and the vision of the road before him, with an SUV a few carlengths ahead.
Suddenly, as Choquette tapped out a text, the perceived distance between him and the SUV dwindled to nothing, and, with a crunch, his simulated view turned into a spider-web of cracks.
Choquette was, of course, unharmed.
Rather than piloting a vehicle, he was participating in the “Distractology” simulator, an effort by Bearingstar Insurance Agency and the Arbella Insurance Foundation to teach young people safe driving habits, and educate them on the dangers of taking their attention away from the road.
Choquette and fellow junior Brad Lissy were led through the simulator Monday afternoon by Nick Prpich, tour manager and trainer with Distractology.
They drove through different scenarios, including a sudden merger ahead of them, a motorcycle blowing through a stop sign, and traveling along a curve with an obstructed view, with a stop sign poised to burst into sight.
The hope behind the simulator’s experience, Prpich said, is for participants to walk away with knowledge and skills, and of the dangers that distractions, such as texting and using Snapchat, can pose when a driver is behind the wheel.
“(The main skills are) to be more cautious, patient, and aware of their surroundings,” said Prpich. “(F)ocusing on driving, that’d be the best thing.”
According to a report on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015, 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involv-
ing distracted drivers. During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes, according to the report.
The simulator is brought to high schools through New England, Prpich said, from its base in Quincy, Mass. He’s seen a number of young people pass through, he said — most of whom do crash while trying it out — and has internalized the message of the simulator.
“I’m a better driver after all of this,” said Prpich.”
After climbing out of the simulator, Choquette and Lissy said they had learned from the experience.
“(It) taught me to be prepared and drive more cautiously,” said Choquette. “It was eye-opening.”
Lissy got his driver’s license in late April, and would take away the advice to “slow down, pay attention” after going through the simulator.
“It was pretty decent,” said Lissy.
To learn more about distracted driving and ways to prevent it, go to www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view. asp?a=2094&Q=459390