Photo of the Day: Bees Learn About Distracted Driving

At on Friday, students were encouraged to drive impaired and to tap out texts while at the wheel—virtually, of course.

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s distracted driver simulator shows students just how difficult it is to react if a driver isn’t giving the road his or her full attention.

Students tried out the simulator, which was set up like a video game with a steering wheel and gas and brake pedals. If a student was “distracted,” a cell phone popped up in the corner and they had to type to respond to questions, while continuing to drive and keep an eye out for dogs, deer and people running into the road. The “impaired” drivers had a delay on their response time, and the depth perception was off, said department spokeswoman Amanda Lee.

If students got a ticket or got into an accident, the simulator discussed possible injuries, as well as the cost of car repairs, insurance increases and ticket fees.

State Representative Marlene Anielski was at the school, too, passing out orange thumb rings for students to wear on their texting hands as a reminder to not text and drive.