This past Wednesday, juniors and seniors had the opportunity to experience the Save A Life Tour. Taking place during ANP, this program is the nation’s most advanced high-impact alcohol and distracted driving simulator program.

“We try to get the word out about it and just tell people what the difference between a distraction is and an unnecessary distraction,” director Mr. Christopher Rich said.

Rich got his start in this program after an experience that hit close to his heart. “I had a few friends in high school who had made a bad choice and it took me a little while to go out and actually associate myself with something like this. I just thought about it more and more and decided it was something that I wanted to do,” he said.

The program on March 11 featured two simulators that allowed students to experience distracted driving first-hand. They sat in a chair surrounded by screens and acted as if they were on the road. One simulator was a texting and driving scenario.

“I mean I know most of my friends and I text and drive and maybe this wasn’t that much of a surreal experience, but it gave me a different perspective,” said Kassidy Ham (12).

The other simulator featured a scenario centered around drinking or being under the influence while driving.

“It was a great experience. I think it was realistic and allowed us to see what it would be like to be in that situation while driving,” Ryan Mitchell (12) explained.

The Save A Life Tour was brought to high school to replace the mock car crash scene that takes place annually. All in all, the upperclassmen were given an eye-opening experience.