Video: Driver's View Of Rollover Crash At ECHS "16th Birthday Bash"

ECHS Sophomores Experience KSP Rollover Simulator, "Drunk Goggles" Driving, More Driver Ed At Event

KSP Trooper Daniel Priddy demonstrates the rollover simulator at ECHS.

Darren Doyle, story, photos, and video:
Edmonson County High School sophomore students had a chance to gain some non-conventional driver’s  education today at the annual “16th Birthday Bash,” a program hosted by the Edmonson County Family Resource—Youth Services Centers.

During the event, Students got an up-close and personal view of the Kentucky State Police’s rollover simulator, operated by KSP Post 3 Public Affairs Officer, Trooper Daniel Priddy.

"It's a cab of a truck, hooked up to a motor that overturns and simulates a rollover collision," said Trooper Priddy. "We have a dummy that we place inside and we let the kids see it with the seat belt on, let them see how stationary the dummy is, and how connected it stays to the seat, not flying around in the cab. And then we take the seat belt off and we let them see just how uncontrolled it is. How they can't control their bodies in an overturned collision. Every time we do it, the un-belted dummy gets ejected from the car and usually right into the path of the rollover," he said. 
 
The Program is a series of driver’s ed presentations that show 10th graders the ins and outs of buying car insurance, learning about distracted driving, and driving while impaired—which was made possible by the students wearing “drunk goggles” on a golf cart, presented by the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office and Edmonson EMS. The goggles are modified to simulate vision and reaction time that would be similar to that of an impaired person. Students were also given a series of field sobriety tests while wearing the goggles.

ECHS student Trinity Leach drives a golf cart with "drunk goggles" as substitute teacher Hunter Houchins rides along.

Both Trooper Priddy and Morgan Esters, Youth Services Center Coordinator for ECHS, said the students have noticeable reactions when being able to have experiences like these. She was sharing some laughs with students taking part in "drunk goggles" exhibit, hosted by the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office. 

Students attempted to drive golf carts through a series of cones while wearing goggles that simulate an impaired person. The goggles blur vision and slow reaction time. They were also administered field sobriety tests from deputies while wearing the goggles. Very few students drove the course without running over cones and none that we saw could pass the sobriety tests.

"Students are paying attention to these activities today," said Mrs. Esters. "We can laugh about it and the students are having fun, but they're also seeing how hard it is to complete these tasks while impaired."

ECSO School Resource Officer Jeff Brooks instructs students in the driving demonstration.

A student attempts to walk a straight line while wearing the impairment goggles.

Esters said in addition to FRCYSC, the event was also sponsored by KSP, KY ASAP, Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Edmonson EMS, and KY Farm Bureau.

Students also learned about purchasing cars, buying car insurance, and distracted driving, but students seemed to have the biggest response to what Trooper Priddy described as "Denim Dan," the dummy who continually was thrown from the rollover simulator.

"Usually there are some 'oohs and aahs' when the dummy gets ejected," said Priddy. "It's really good for the kids to see what exactly your seat belt can do for you, and just how important it is for them to wear theirs."