Fatal Vision

One of the most important responsibilities adults have is impressing upon teenagers the dangers of drinking and driving. Unfortunately, teenage D-U-I statistics show it's a message that apparently is not being heard by many young drivers.

In "Assignment: Education".. Bill Ratliff shows you how one Pinellas County High school is attacking the problem.. in a very "Visual" Way.

--[School Resource Officer Charles Howard says:] ".. So now what we're askin' you.. and the focus is be responsible.. be caring for each other."--

Countryside High School Resource Officer Charles Howard is imploring the teens in this drivers education class not to drink and drive. But Officer Howard knows words can sometimes fall on deaf ears. So, he turns to a new weapon in the fight against teenage drinking and driving.

--[Officer Howard says:] "Alright, let's see if we can get home from the party, alright? Let's go man."--

Howard has his students wear special goggles, while they maneuver a golf cart through a driving course. They're called "Fatal Vision Goggles", which blur vision and alter distance perception.. very much like that of a driver who is legally intoxicated. Time and time again.. the student drivers hit cone after cone on the course. They couldn't make turns.. and in one case, even became somewhat lost. It's an experience that humbles, embarrasses and shakes the confidence of the teens.

--[Student Lucianna Tomsk says:] "It was confusing. I mean everything is moving." [Bill Ratliff says:] "You know you missed a complete turn?" [Tomsk says:] "Yeah, yeah." [ Ratliff asks:] "That gives you food for thought about drinkin and drivin though doesn't it.?" [Student Bronk Allen says:] "Yeah I can't believe it. I wouldn't be able to do that every night. You know come from a party or something."
[Officer Howard says:] "That says it all. when a student can put these glasses on and right now they know they can not drink and get on the roadway."--

Howard just hopes the students remember the experience the rest of their lives. Bill
Ratliff Newschannel 8.

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