Distracted driving simulator at West Harrison High

High school students across Harrison County are getting a chance to learn hands on just how difficult and dangerous drunk and distracted driving is.
A rare opportunity for high school students in Harrison County as the U.S. Army distracted driving trailer rolled into South Mississippi. This high tech trailer is equipped with driving simulators to show students just how difficult and dangerous it is while driving impaired or distracted. Senior Jacob said, “It’s really difficult. In these simulators the steering wheel is all sorts of loose. The pedals aren’t responsive and it’s supposed to represent this lag time you get from being drunk and having this impaired driving. It really changes your perspective.”
Even students who don’t have driver licenses yet were able to test out the simulators and say they now understand the significance of driving while impaired. Sophomore Jermaine said, “I might ruin my life or somebody else’s life by driving under the influence.”
The trailer travels across the United States throughout the year and this is its first time to stop in the state of Mississippi. Those with the U.S. Army tell News 25 they want young adults to understand that even the slightest distraction can change their lives forever.
According to MDOT, 21 percent of drivers 15 to 19 years who were involved in a fatal accident were distracted by the use of a cellphone. Sgt. Christopher Reed with the U.S. Army said, “Put your phones down. While you’re driving, trying to get from point A to point B, put your phone down. That text message can wait. Your Snapchat video can wait. Your Facebook post can wait. Put your phone down so you can make it safe and whoever is driving around you can make it home safe to their loved ones.”
The trailer also stopped by D’Iberville High School and will wrap up its trip to South Mississippi with a stop at Harrison Central High.