Arrive Alive tour stops off at Dryden

Safe driving promoted

 

 

DRYDEN, MI — Students at Dryden High School recently had the opportunity to experience the dangers of distracted and impaired driving in a safe, controlled environment when the Arrive Alive Tour visited campus, the tour’s only visit to Lapeer County.

The nationally recognized program used advanced virtual reality technology and a fully functioning vehicle simulator to educate students about the potentially life-altering consequences of unsafe driving decisions.

Known as the nation’s #1 distracted and impaired driving simulator, the Arrive Alive Tour allowed participants to experience firsthand how distractions, impairment, and poor decision-making can affect reaction time and driving ability – all without the vehicle ever moving.

The program was designed to help students better understand the risks associated with texting while driving, impaired driving, and other dangerous behaviors behind the wheel.

“Today’s students face constant distractions, especially behind the wheel, and experiences like the Arrive Alive Tour make the consequences feel very real,” said Mary Finnigan, Principal of Dryden High School.

“We are grateful to provide our students with an opportunity that not only educates them, but also encourages important conversations about making safe and responsible choices every time they get into a vehicle.”

Following their simulation experience, students received a mock citation and completed an anonymous survey about their choices and driving habits.

Organizers will compile the results into a report that provides measurable insight into the attitudes and behaviors of Dryden students. Participants also had the opportunity to take a digital pledge to drive S.A.F.E.

“As both a health teacher and SADD advisor, my goal is always to help students understand that their decisions can have lifelong impacts,” said Melissa Margrif, Dryden Community Schools K-12 Physical Education/Health teacher and sponsor of Dryden High School’s SADD Chapter.

“The Arrive Alive Tour gave our students a powerful hands-on experience that reinforced how dangerous distracted and impaired driving can be, while empowering them to make safer choices for themselves and others.”

The event was coordinated through Dryden High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Chapter as part of the school’s continued commitment to student wellness, safety, and responsible decision-making. Dryden SADD Chapter’s President Jayden Stankevich reflected on the event.

“Overall, the Arrive Alive Tour was very cool. Students got the opportunity to take the wheel while impaired (or so the system made them think),” he reflected. “They learned the risks and why they should never get behind the wheel while intoxicated,” Stankevich added.

Fellow SADD member and Dryden sophomore Aiden Dunny agreed. “I thought the event today was very eye-opening,” Dunny reflected.

He added, “As a participant in the SADD chapter, I think the event was very helpful and would like to have another event like it next year.”

Callum Brown, Dryden sophomore, also took a turn in the simulator. “I thought the event today was fun. I did well; I was the only one in my group to make it to the end,” Brown said.

The Arrive Alive Tour has visited schools and communities across the country, helping educate young drivers about the importance of making safe choices before getting behind the wheel.

The program’s mission is to encourage lifelong safe driving habits and reduce distracted and impaired driving incidents among teens and young adults.