The Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit recently conducted Fatal Vision classes at Dalton High School, in conjunction with the Driver's Ed Program. The two day program was held on April 22nd and 24th. Students were in the classroom the first day and on the second day drove a golf cart, wearing Fatal Vision Goggles, which simulate the perception of a person under the influence of alcohol.
During the classroom portion of the program, officers from the Traffic Enforcement Unit spoke to the students about the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The officers also spoke to the students about traffic law pertaining to teenage drivers, including the restrictions on class CP and class D driving licenses. On the second day, a cone course was set up and students, wearing Fatal Vision Goggles, attempted to drive a golf cart through the course. The golf cart exercise is used to illustrate how a driver’s vision is impaired while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Students were also put through Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, to show the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver’s motor skills.
The purpose of the class is to get students to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol or using drugs and then getting behind the wheel of an automobile, or being a passenger of a friend or family member that is operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Fatal Vision Program is offered to any organization in the Dalton area. For more information about the program, please contact the Dalton Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit at 706-278-9085, ext. 124.
As always, the Dalton Police Department would also like to remind all motorists to Buckle up, Slow Down and Drive Sober.
Below: Officer Steve Zahn addresses the Driver's Ed Class at Dalton State College, and Officer Shaun Scott rides along with DHS students on the Fatal Vision golf cart (click images for a larger version).
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