MARION -- Williamson County Traffic Safety Days is an event are driving home lessons for students from across the region.
The Pavilion of Marion is hosting the 7th annual event. It's the lesson instructors hope students never forget.
"I know for sure I will never text and drive now, ever," said Marion High School freshman Kayla Zuck.
Zuck joined hundreds of other students to test the dangers of texting while driving.
"It makes you come to grips with reality because you realize how hard it is to actually concentrate on texting and driving at the same time," said Zuck.
The lessons didn't stop with texting. Students also drove golfcarts with blurred goggles to demonstrate the affects of drunk driving.
"It doesn't matter what you do, you will never have your full focus on driving," said Zuck.
The event brings drivers education students together to learn about the importance of safe driving.
Through various stations, students learn about motorcycle safety, driving under the influence, being aware of semi's and what happens in a car crash.
"Overall it's all the things that we do in our classrooms that we talk about but they actually get to come here and physically do some of those things," said Marion High School instructor Dean Schulmeister.
Many of the lessons are taught by Illinois State Troopers. For the first time, students sat in a real car with a simulated scene pretending to drive while distracted. Schulmeister said he hopes students learn to be careful and focused when driving.
"Not worrying about that phone call or not worrying about putting that makeup on or whatever it might be, eating that sandwich while you're driving."
A lesson Zuck hopes other drivers remember while on the road.
"It's not a good idea and you're putting your life and my life and anyone else who's a passenger's life at risk," said Zuck.
Officials expect to see between 1,500 to 1,700 Driver's Ed students from 29 high schools in 10 southern Illinois counties. The program continues through Friday.
The Pavilion of Marion is hosting the 7th annual event. It's the lesson instructors hope students never forget.
"I know for sure I will never text and drive now, ever," said Marion High School freshman Kayla Zuck.
Zuck joined hundreds of other students to test the dangers of texting while driving.
"It makes you come to grips with reality because you realize how hard it is to actually concentrate on texting and driving at the same time," said Zuck.
The lessons didn't stop with texting. Students also drove golfcarts with blurred goggles to demonstrate the affects of drunk driving.
"It doesn't matter what you do, you will never have your full focus on driving," said Zuck.
The event brings drivers education students together to learn about the importance of safe driving.
Through various stations, students learn about motorcycle safety, driving under the influence, being aware of semi's and what happens in a car crash.
"Overall it's all the things that we do in our classrooms that we talk about but they actually get to come here and physically do some of those things," said Marion High School instructor Dean Schulmeister.
Many of the lessons are taught by Illinois State Troopers. For the first time, students sat in a real car with a simulated scene pretending to drive while distracted. Schulmeister said he hopes students learn to be careful and focused when driving.
"Not worrying about that phone call or not worrying about putting that makeup on or whatever it might be, eating that sandwich while you're driving."
A lesson Zuck hopes other drivers remember while on the road.
"It's not a good idea and you're putting your life and my life and anyone else who's a passenger's life at risk," said Zuck.
Officials expect to see between 1,500 to 1,700 Driver's Ed students from 29 high schools in 10 southern Illinois counties. The program continues through Friday.
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