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A simulated drunk-driving obstacle course, the Neon Drunk Driving Simulator, is visiting more than 250 schools nation-wide in order to reduce the 1996 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistic of 17,000 lives lost in alcohol-related traffic accidents, more than one-third of those under the age of 20.
The objective of the course is to raise teenage awareness of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. The Dodge/Plymouth Neon vehicle used in the course is computer-controlled to mimic the slowed-reaction-time effects of drinking anywhere from one to twelve drinks, and achieves this effect by delaying the vehicle's reaction to the student's handling. "It felt like they broke off the steering column and put a steel bar in there," said Matthew Rose, a 17-year-old senior at Los Gatos High School, who was one of 150 students chosen to experience the course on November 3. To make sure the students are safe while undergoing this course, a Dodge instructor accompanies them with access to a separate brake pedal, and the vehicle is not able to exceed 15 mph.
Yale Proctor, another Los Gatos student who experienced the simulated course, said, "I almost hit a basketball hoop."
The controlled obstacle course is figure-eight shaped and the vehicle computer takes into account the weight of the student-driver in order to accurately simulate the effects of drinking while driving on that particular student. The tour is arranged by Community Against Substance Abuse, sponsored by Chrysler Corp., and supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
"It's a good idea," said Steve Vrionis, a freshman at Monte Vista. "It really shows people the dangers of driving drunk, and hopefully that'll do some good."
There were those, however, who doubted that the simulated drunk-driving course would do anything to change teenage attitudes and views. One of these, a 17-year-old senior at Los Gatos, Nicole Martin, said, "They'll forget by Friday. When you're a teenager, you think you know everything."
The course also visited San Jose's Oak Grove High School on November 5.
