Members of the Bolivar Fire Department and Bolivar Police Department teamed up on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, to offer teen driver safety training to a group of students at Bolivar Central High School. The training consisted of discussing safe driving tips, rules of the road, and the perils of distracted and impaired driving.
The group of students, along with some BCHS faculty, participated in the hands-on practical exercises that were set up to demonstrate how alcohol and drugs impact both your judgement and your motor skills. The practical exercises included the use of the premier driver training program, Microsoft Driving Essentials, and the use of impairment goggles.
Students first drove a golf cart through a controlled course of cones normally. Students then drove the course a second time with impairment goggles on. The second practical exercise had students try to walk a straight line while using the impairment goggles. The third practical exercise allowed students to participate in the Microsoft Driving Essentials XBOX simulation, both normally and using the impairment goggles.
This program was made possible through a grant obtained by the Bolivar Fire Department from AAA Tennessee. The grant provided the funding to obtain the XBOX, the Microsoft Driving Essentials simulation, and the impairment goggles. “We are thankful to AAA Tennessee for providing the funding for this valuable experience for our teen drivers. This program would not have been possible without their assistance. It is essential that we teach our teens about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving,” said Fire Chief Lynn Price. “We also want to thank the Bolivar Police Department for their help in delivering the program today. It was a great experience for us all, and we look forward to offering the program again.”
For additional teen driving resources and AAA membership information, please visit their website at https://teendriving.aaa.com/TN.