WESTFIELD—Students at Westfield Technical Academy (WTA) have been able to learn about the dangers of driving while distracted through an anti-distracted driving program.
Students this week are taking part in Distractology, an anti-distracted driving program developed and funded through the Arbella Insurance Foundation, with members of Roger Butler Insurance Agency presenting the program, as well.
The trailer for Distractology in a parking lot at WTA.
The program, which is being used by about 20 students a day, is an interactive computer-based simulation where drivers operate a virtual car, complete with pedals, steering wheel and turn signaling, through a variety of road conditions, while also performing tasks such as texting while driving and changing the radio station.
As the students go through the program, they are given a variety of obstacles that you may encounter while driving, such as vehicles changing lanes, “blind” turns and people utilizing a crosswalk. And while these encounters occur, students are also asked to perform the tasks that distract drivers on a daily basis, which frequently result in an accident in the simulation.
“In one to two seconds it happens, very fast,” Nick Romani Prpich, Distractology manager and trainer for Arbella, said.
WTA student Brooke Thompson starts to operate her phone while drifting into the breakdown lane in the simulator.
After the virtual accidents, Romani Prpich said that the simulator shows the drivers what occurred and what could have been done to prevent it.
According to Clarissa Butler Simone, owner and Vice President of Roger Butler Insurance Agency, the program is meant to teach teenagers the effects distracted driving, such as texting while driving, can have on their ability to operate vehicles.
WTA student Brooke Thompson’s vehicle following an accident after she attempted to text.
“Texting while driving impacts greatly,” she said. “It’s compared to driving under the influence in impairing your driving reflexes.”
According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, texting while driving is also dangerous due to what it takes to partake in the task.
“Texting while driving is not like listening to the radio,” he said. “It engages another part of the brain. If you text you have to concentrate on what you’re doing.”
Texting while driving, according to McCabe, also comes with fines if cited. First offense is $100, second is $200 and each subsequent offense thereafter is $500 in Massachusetts. And while it is not a surcharge on your license according to McCabe, Butler Simone said that for junior operators under 18 it is.
Texting while driving is not the only distraction, however. Other distractions can include food, drink, changing radio stations or operating your phone while driving, among other items.
WTA student Jocelyn Rodriguez operates the simulator on a virtual highway.
Two of the students that partook in the Distractology program, WTA juniors and driver’s license holders Brooke Thompson and Jocelyn Rodriguez, said that the program helped them realize how impactful distracted driving can be.
“It was eye opening and actually scary because I tend to look at my phone,” Thompson said, adding that the program may change her driving habits.
Rodriguez said that the program was “really realistic,” and said that it will also change her driving habits.
“I will be more aware and alert of my surroundings,” she said.
According to an Arbella Insurance press release related to the event:
“According to the CDC, 9 people are killed every hour and more than 1,000 are injured as a result of distracted drivers. Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the United States. According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, new teen drivers ages 16-17 years old are three times as likely as adults to be involved in a deadly crash. What’s more, 86 percent of teenage drivers have driven while distracted, even though 84 percent know it’s dangerous.”
For participating, students receive a $15 gas card, and upon completing an online course afterward, Butler Simone said that some insurance companies, such as Arbella, recognize the course as a discount.
The event will be continuing at WTA until Friday, Oct. 27.
