Students experience drunk driving with special goggles

Drinking and driving is a deadly combination. And it's important that young drivers learn that lesson early. Thursday, the Tulsa County Sheriff's office did the teaching. <br><br>Deputy Rob

Thursday, October 25th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Drinking and driving is a deadly combination. And it's important that young drivers learn that lesson early. Thursday, the Tulsa County Sheriff's office did the teaching.

Deputy Rob Lillard, "Okay, we'll turn the radio on like I see you do everyday." Students at Berryhill High School simulated their normal driving routine, with one exception. They had to wear a special pair of goggles called "Fatal Vision" that impaired their eyesight as though they were drunk. Then, they had to drive through a course of pylons without hitting them. Lillard, "There was like, the cones were doubled, and you could not see anything it was bad. You could see about 5 cones instead of two, it was kind of hard to see where you were going." Lillard adds, "They're going to be confronted with the choice. That's just the way it is. And hopefully after today, they'll say, 'wait a minute. No I can't do that and I won't do that."

The students were allowed to drive the course with and without the goggles for a sense of comparison. There are actually four different pairs of goggles that simulate different stages of intoxication. Deputy Lillard says the program is a safe way to teach students a valuable lesson while having fun.