Distracted Driving Awareness Day
Posted May 20, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
FHHS student Patricia Deitz attempts to drive the simulator and text at the same time – Tim Dustrude photo
Last Friday, the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition hosted the Arrive Alive Tour, an organization that brought a distracted-driving simulator to the high school. Over 200 people tried out the simulator, in which you wear a set of glasses that present a simulated roadway with people and traffic. As you are “driving” your vehicle, the operator instructs you to pick up your phone and send a text message. And that’s where it gets ugly. Kinda difficult to avoid obstacles (people – signposts – other vehicles) when you’re not even looking where you’re going. The simulator really helps “drive home” the point that drivers and cell phones don’t go together!
Debbi Fincher, Rob Nou and Bob Jarman – Tim Dustrude photo
The proclamation – Click to enlarge
As part of this event, County Councilman Bob Jarman read a proclamation (at right) declaring May 16th as Distracted Driving Awareness Day in Friday Harbor and San Juan County. Sheriff Rob Nou talked about the dangers of such behavior even in our quiet little community. Zach Fincher of Rock Solid Youth and Debbi Fincher of the Prevention Coalition put together this little video from clips shot throughout the day.
Other partners who helped make this happen were Sam Leigh of Right of Way Driving School, Lainey Volk of San Juan Island EMS, The San Juan County Sheriff’s Department, Friday Harbor High School, Mayor Carrie Lacher and the San Juan County Council.
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