Two Claysburg-Kimmel sophomores take a lap wearing specialized drunk driving-simulation goggles during a Blair Drug and Alcohol drivers’ education program. Mirror photo by Conner Goetz

CLAYSBURG — Sophomores, juniors and seniors at Claysburg-Kimmel High School received a first-hand reminder of the dangers of impaired driving thanks to a Blair Drug and Alcohol program on Thursday morning.

Representatives from Blair Drug and Alcohol used a pedal-operated go-kart and cones set up in an ad hoc course so students could safely navigate through the high school parking lot while wearing goggles that simulate the effects of drunk driving.

Students took turns driving the cart while wearing different tiers of goggles, which used progressively heavy visual filters to provide visual distortions representative of increasingly high blood alcohol content.

Claysburg-Kimmel has offered four different drivers’ education events for students throughout the year, each with a different theme, according to Aaron Burket, a teacher who helped organize the program.

Earlier this week, representatives from Walmart stopped by the school with a semitruck to demonstrate to students the dangers of driving in a large truck’s blindspot, Burket said.

Having a diversity of different programs helps provide a variety of different perspectives for students, he said.

“The more they’re introduced to it at an early age, the safer and better off they’ll be in the long run,” Burket said.

According to Burket, the drug and alcohol program is especially valuable as prom season is right around the corner.

In previous years, drunk driving was the primary focus of impaired-driving education programs, Burket said, but these days students have access to marijuana and prescription medication as well as alcohol, necessitating a more expansive curriculum.

Michaela Benson, who serves as lead prevention specialist at Blair Drug and Alcohol, leads similar drivers’ education events at schools across Blair County.

“We want kids to be aware of the consequences of drinking and driving and to give them that experience and show that these are some of the side effects,” Benson said.

While the cart event can be fun, she said, the underlying message is deadly serious.

“(Driving under the influence) can be so, so dangerous, and we want students to be aware of that,” Benson said.

Sophomore Jaden Piner said, after his ride in the cart, that he’d recommend the program to a friend.

“I think this (event) is great so kids know what they’re getting into if they’re driving under the influence,” Piner said, “it’s a good program.”

Sophomore Larih Qual said she doesn’t yet drive, but enjoyed her experience with the cart.

“It’s for real showing you,” Qual said.

Tenth grader Preston Mock said he prefers the hands-on style of drivers’ education program because it is a much more immersive and engaging experience.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.