South Pittsburg high school students learn how to ‘arrive alive’

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. (WDEF)- South Pittsburg high school students learned about how dangerous distracted driving can be on Thursday.

They took part in the Arrive Alive tour, sponsored by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.

The tour allows students to step into a vehicle and simulate impaired driving by using a VR headset.

The “Arrive Alive” SUV used in a program to teach students about the dangers of distracted driving.

Presenters say that the sobering statistic that young Tennesseans are 17 times more likely to die in a crash while impaired makes lessons like this at a young age important.

Sgt. Brandon Price of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, and a school resource deputy at South Pittsburg High School said, “I believe this kinda raises an eyebrow with the kids. They look at it like a game and it maybe a way of laughing about it, a way of them dealing with a situation. But I think deep down inside they realize how serious it can be and what can happen.”

The program was at Marion County High School Wednesday, and will stop at Chattanooga Charter Middle School on Friday.