A student tries out the DUI simulator. (Photo courtesy of John R. Elliott HERO Campaign)
Driver education students at Ocean City High School will learn how it feels to drive impaired when they take the wheel of a desktop simulator during training sessions at the school from April 21 through April 28.
The simulator sessions are offered through a partnership between the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean City Police Department and NJM Insurance.
A dedication ceremony for the new simulator will be held Tuesday, April 21, at noon in the high school’s Community Room.
The computer program challenges students to “drive” through a virtual town, displayed on a video screen, while their responses are altered to resemble intoxication. The effects typically cause students to run through stop signs and traffic lights and even cause virtual accidents.
“At first, students enjoy the fun and challenge of the simulator, until they experience problems and realize that drinking and driving is no joke and can have serious consequences,” said Bill Elliott, founder and chairman of the HERO Campaign.
The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign is named in memory of Bill Elliott’s son, who was killed by a drunk driver after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in July 2000.
“We are proud and honored to be part of the HERO Campaign’s efforts to save lives by offering this DUI prevention simulator to high school students,” Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said. “John Elliott would have served his country honorably as a naval officer had he lived. Now his legacy is saving countless lives through the HERO Campaign.”
The DUI simulator also has a distracted driving module which shows students how even a brief glance at their phone while driving can turn deadly.
“We are excited to offer this next generation driving simulation to our driver education students,” Ocean City High School Principal Wendy O’Neal said. “It will serve as a cautionary reminder for them to be safe and responsible drivers.”
NJM Insurance has provided funding for the simulator.
“NJM is committed to supporting initiatives that help reduce the risks of teen car crashes and provide resources to encourage safe driving habits,” said Erica Rosso, supervisor of the NJM Consumer Safety Partnership and Program. “We are honored to partner with the HERO Campaign to bring this innovative instructional tool to their driver education program.”
The HERO Campaign partners with high schools and colleges, bar and tavern owners, law enforcement, and NFL and Major League Baseball teams to promote responsible driving.
More than 100,000 motorists have taken the campaign’s online HERO Pledge to be safe designated drivers. The campaign has also wrapped police cars from 50 departments throughout New Jersey with its blue and gold symbol and message: “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”
For more information on the HERO Campaign, go to www.herocampaign.org.
