Safe-driving exhibit set up for October 14

This is not your typical driver training simulator. No, this equipment helps you understand how hard it is to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Faculty, staff and students can find out that the results aren’t pretty.

The “Immersive Multi-Screen State-of-the-Art Drunk Driving Simulator” will be operating at Pellissippi State October 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Using the equipment, a person tries to operate a vehicle simulator that has been programmed to mimic the effects of alcohol impairment on drivers.

According to Kim Thomas, activities coordinator for the office of Student Life and Recreation, participants, who stay sober, begin the exercise by witnessing drivers’ bad judgment and driving skills that deteriorate from simulated alcohol consumption.

Two additional large screen displays show what each driver sees, the face of the driver, a helicopter view of the driver’s vehicle in traffic, and an indicator level of the driver’s impairment as it gradually worsens.

In most cases, the simulated drive ends in a serious accident.

At the conclusion of the exercise, participants receive a citation that shows the number of violations committed during the simulation.

The simulator, part of the nationwide “Save A Life Tour,” is housed in a 36-foot trailer, which also serves as a mobile billboard for the program.

The simulator has been used by military and civilian law enforcement agencies for traffic control training.

Participation in the Save A Life program is free. The tour stop at Pellissippi State is being sponsored by the Council of Student Advocates and the office of Student Life and Recreation. For additional information, contact Kim Thomas at 694-6681 or kthomas@pstcc.edu.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

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