By Keith Purtell
The car swerved wildly, and the driver couldn’t seem to control her direction. Other vehicles on the road were at risk for a collision with a drunk driver.
The car was actually a three-screen simulator with a realistic seat, steering wheel, brake, accelerator and dashboard. Part of the Save A Life Tour, it was set up all day Monday at Muskogee High School to give juniors an unusual lesson instead of English class.
Sixteen-year-old Victoria Chapman said she had a dizzying experience at the wheel. She was first in her class to feel what it was like to be unable to control a car.
“It was fun but embarrassing,” she said. “It gave me the point of view of a drunk driver.”
Waiting his turn was Miles Andrews, 17, who said he expected to learn a vital lesson.
“I think it will show a lot of things,” he said. “Drinking and driving is very dangerous. I think it’ll show a lot of kids what will happen if they ever try something like this.”
As each student took their turn, Save A Life presenter Matt Kwant kept up a running commentary about how they were handling the “car.”
Kwant, 24, said he has been doing the tour for two years because of personal motivation.
“I lost four friends to this,” he said. “I was at the scene after the wreck and saw my best friend at the wheel with his neck broken. A year later I was hit by a drunk driver, but I had been drinking, too. I survived.”
Kwant said there is a good reason to keep telling young people about the hazards of mixing alcohol with driving.
“It’s the re-education of the brain,” he said. “We want them to be smart about it.”
Some students who are shaken up by the simulator ask questions afterwards.
“We get questions like ‘How do you join?’ and ‘Is there anything I can do?’” he said. “I hope they’ll take something away from this, like don’t be stupid. Take the keys for your friends who have been drinking.”
Another of the student drivers to submit to the simulator was Alex Felts, 16, who said said the experience made him feel like he had lost control.
“It felt like I was powerless,” he said. “The car wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do. It made me learn what it was like to drink and drive. If your friend calls you and says he needs a ride because he’s been drinking, it’s worth it to help them.”
Reach Keith Purtell at 684-2925 or kpurtell@muskogeephoenix.com.
