As part of the high school health unit of decision-making, 10th grade students at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School visited Safety Town in Holtsville to learn the consequences of driving while distracted and driving while impaired as well as safety and awareness of traveling alone. The group was accompanied by Ms. Britt, Mr. Chalmers, Mr. Maletta, Ms. Malizia, Mr. Ruggero, Mr. Topper and Mrs. Wendel, as well as Mr. Adam Sherrard, athletic director of Port Jefferson School District. The program involved a presentation where the students heard from police and emergency responders about young drivers who lost their lives due to distracted or impaired driving. After the presentation, students drove electric mini cars through an obstacle course while fully attentive, while texting and while wearing fatal vision goggles that altered their vision to simulate driving while impaired.

“Thank you to Tom Indence and Al Ferrari for hosting us at Safety Town” said Mr. Sherrard. “They did a remarkable job helping our students to understand the real-life consequences of driving without a seatbelt, driving at high rates of speed, driving while distracted and driving while impaired.”

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Date Added: 11/17/2023