As prom and graduation season approaches, John C. Birdlebough High School juniors and seniors were recently reminded by school staff members and local law enforcement agencies to make safe, smart decisions as drivers and passengers.
Students participated in an awareness campaign in the school’s parking lot where they utilized goggles that simulated alcohol and marijuana impairment during a variety of activities. Students were tasked with playing catch, driving pedal cars and walking. Junior Jessica Haresign said she struggled to walk a straight line while wearing marijuana impairment goggles and Senior Marrisa Ellis had difficulty avoiding cones during a pedal car course.
Robert J. Lighthall, Oswego County STOP-DWI Program Coordinator, said schools often promote impairment awareness campaigns throughout May and June because of proms and graduation ceremonies. In years past, Lighthall helped coordinate a mock DWI crash at the high school. Both initiatives have the same sobering message: don’t drink or drug and drive.
Jessica Haresign, JCB junior, attempts to walk a straight line while wearing marijuana impairment goggles during an impairment awareness exercise at the school.