KENT: As two deer darted in front of 16-year-old Amanda Floyd’s car, she slammed on the brakes.
Phew. Stopped just in time.
But then she started texting. Distracted, Amanda weaved left and right, ultimately crashing into another vehicle.
Fortunately for her, she wasn’t in a real car, just in a driving simulator set up Wednesday at Roosevelt High School.
“I never really realized you swerve that much,” Amanda, a junior, said after participating, adding that she doesn’t text while driving.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and State Highway Patrol brought the simulator to the school for students to learn about the dangers of distracted driving — whether that’s driving drunk or while texting or talking on the phone.
ODOT and Nationwide Insurance launched the Distracted Driver Simulator Tour earlier this year as part of its safety campaign “Every Move You Make, Keep It Safe.” The simulator, which is making its way around the state, is for teens and adults.
Last year, state authorities reported 39 fatalities, 454 serious injuries and 12,410 crashes that were attributed to distracted driving. The real numbers, though, probably are higher, experts said.
“We don’t know what the actual number is out of all the crashes because it’s something that nobody readily admits to doing,” said Lt. Mike Marucci of the Highway Patrol’s Ravenna post.
The simulator — basically a computer game — was a hit with the students. They lined up and crowded around to watch each other take turns. The simulator consists of a steering wheel, brake and gas pedals and three large computer screens mounted on a table.
Students could choose whether to drive drunk or while texting or face some other form of distraction. After they crash — they always seem to crash — or are pulled over by police, the driver learns about the consequences: how much damage they’ve caused, what their fine is, if anyone died in the accident and if they’re headed to jail.
“It’s pretty cool,” said junior Shante Thompson, 16, who isn’t driving yet. “It teaches how to drive without being on the road.”
She slammed into a deer.
Freshman Cole Smith, 14, said he appreciated the simulation. He was caught speeding — after swerving left of center and turning the wrong way while texting.
“It kind of showed how easy it is to be distracted while texting,” he said.
In addition to Kent, the simulator has been at Hoover and Hudson high schools within the past week. It will be in Mahoning and Trumbull County schools next.
ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said hundreds of kids have gotten behind the wheel so far, but even more have benefited from watching their fellow students take a spin.
The goal is to teach kids that “driving is such a major responsibility, so take it seriously,” he said. “Put away your cell phone. Don’t put your makeup on. Don’t be eating or playing with the radio.
“A lot of the accidents out there are because of distracted driving. It can not only change your life, but it can change someone else’s life forever. The consequences are severe.”
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
