Grant used for simulator to teach teens

Donning a pair of special goggles can give teens the blurred vision and balance issues associated with being drunk and now they can experience just how much that affected driving.

The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office used a grant from State Farm to purchase a golf cart to show teenagers how much drinking can impair driving skills in hopes that the experience will prevent them from getting behind the wheel drunk, said Lt. Greg Turner.

The $6,500 grant was used to purchase and outfit a golf cart. Designed to look like a patrol car, the cart is being used in conjunction with driving under the influence goggles that simulate the effects of being intoxicated, said Turner.

“Anything we can do to assist our young people in building safer lives, our office supports. By adding this driver simulator, we can hopefully better educate new drivers to some of the dangers they can face,” said Sheriff L.J. Ayers in a news release.

The sheriff’s office is partnering with Amherst area State Farm agents to host training sessions for Amherst County students and other locations in conjunction with the Central Virginia Highway Traffic Safety Board.

On Friday at 2 p.m. at the Amherst County High School’s lecture hall, the simulator will be unveiled to the public as part of the closing ceremonies for the annual G.R.E.A.T Amherst County Cop Camp. The students have been using the simulator this week.

State Farm provides various grants to agencies working to improve driver, vehicle and roadway safety. The company provides other grants including home safety and fire prevention, disaster preparedness and personal financial safety.

“State Farm has been a longtime supporter of Teen Driver Safety. We appreciate the work of the Amherst County Sheriff’s office and their commitment to keep teens in the Amherst area safe,” said State Farm Spokesperson, Jon Hannah in a news release.