Driving While Goggled Is Out of Control

As they maneuvered golf carts around the station parking lot, students struck traffic cones, drive perilously close to signs and took their eyes off the road while switching from the gas to the brake.

This strange trip was a sobering lesson in the dangers, and potential deadly consequences, of driving while impaired.

The students in Maureen Cimoch's sophomore health class at were wearing special goggles that simulate impairment. Even walking to the cart was a challenge. 

Driving provided even more obstacles.

"It's weird,'' said Casey L'Esperance. "I had no control.''

That was just the reaction Cimoch and Grafton Police School Resource Officer Al Hulbert were hoping for. 

The goggle program was part of Cimoch's lesson on dangerous driving. She covers such topics as texting while driving, speeding and using seatbelts.

"This is a good way to put it all together,'' she said.

In addition to driving, the students also attempted to walk a straight line while wearing the goggles.

Brianna Thomas was one of many in the class who struggled with this exercise.

"The line is curvy,'' she said, as she swayed.

Of course the line was straight. But their impaired perceptions were not.

That led to a warning from Cimoch. "If you ever see anyone walking like this and getting into a car, stop them,'' she said.