Sumter students get lesson in poor driving choices
Posted: 04.14.2011 at 3:39 PM
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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teen drivers, according to the Sumter Police Department.

That's why they've given Sumter High School students the chance to see how poor driving choices can have a bad impact "In an Instant."

The interactive In an Instant program gave teen drivers a seat behind the wheel while simulating the effects of being intoxicated Thursday.

The drivers of the golf cart who were wearing special impairment goggles quickly realized how serious it could be.

"It's not even a regular car, it's a golf cart," said senior Trevon Anderson.  "It's crazy how easy it is to crash and hit somebody."

Officials say the goggles simulate a blood alcohol concentration of .1.  The legal limit in South Carolina is .08. 

And with spring break starting Friday, the class may have been just in time for some.

"I think it's to educate them and maybe do a little scaring at the same time," Principal Rutledge Dingle explains.  "We just wanted them to understand that being behind the wheel of a car is a very serious thing."

Certified driving instructors from the police department were on hand to teach the effects.

Watch the video above showing one student demonstrating the problems that can come up.