“It was bad,” said Rummings, a 9th grader who was among several in health and physical education teacher Tony Owens’ class taking part in a state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Safety Partners educational event to highlight the Super Bowl Impaired Driving Campaign.

Rummings used goggles that simulated a person with a blood alcohol content of .25. The lowest level goggles simulate a .06 BAC.

While law enforcement and school district officials want everyone to enjoy Sunday’s contest between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, they don’t want to see any tragedies on the roads of Lycoming County and Greater Williamsport due to impaired driving, which happen in higher numbers each year on the day of the big game.

PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police, the Highway Safety Network and Geisinger Medical Center officials demonstrated for the students and Owens the perils of impaired driving.

State Trooper Robert Evanchick, left, watches as Jersey Shore High School Freshmen Jace Rummings, 15, center, and Hunter Eck, right, try out impariment googles, while trying to simulating a sobriety test.

Students were eager to sit down at one of four driving simulators operating the gas and brake with one foot.

When the instructor set the device to the impaired driving scenario, students could be seen driving through red lights, stop signs and causing minor motor vehicle accidents, leading to a visit from the responding law enforcement officer. The students were to obey the state motor vehicle code traffic laws but the machines mimicked the slow reaction one develops when they are impaired.

“It made it harder to drive,” said Gracie Hostrander, a 10th grader, who sat down behind the wheel and experienced the feeling of impaired driving simulator.

She described the feeling by saying the “steering wheel swerved.”

“It made me think about it,” she said. “It is not a good idea to be impaired if you are going somewhere.”

KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Jersey Shore High School Freshman Trey Hoover, 14, center, tries to walk a straight line while wearing impairment googles as Corporal Jenn McMunn, right, looks on, during a program at Jersey Shore High School on Tuesday.

Students completed field sobriety tests while wearing impairment goggles under the watchful eye of Tpr. Robert Evanchick and Cpl. Jenn McMunn. They also learned how distracted driving can be as bad on the road as impaired driving. Ann Marie Dincher, health and physical education teacher at Jersey Shore High School, and Deborah Erdman, injury prevention coordinator for Geisinger Medical Center, joined Kim Smith, safety press officer of PennDOT District 3, for several sessions held Tuesday morning.

“Most crashes happen within 5 miles of your home,” said Erdman.

“The leading cause of death among those ages 15 to 21 is from car crashes,” she said, emphatically.

Impairment behind the wheel does not only involve drinking alcoholic beverages, but can include use of illegal drugs, use of non-prescribed drugs and prescribed drugs, or even over-the-counter drugs such as Nyquil, and a lack of sleep. Distracted driving due to using a cell phone to text, responding to passengers in the vehicle, or eating and drinking and taking both hands off the steering wheel can be just as dangerous.

The average text takes 4.6 seconds and, if a driver is traveling at 55 miles per hour in that time, he or she will have traveled the length of a football field without seeing the road.

In a frightening reality of what the police, coroners and family members respond to after a fatal crash, a T-shirt with a skull that glowed in the dark was handed out to those who successfully completed the course.

Impaired and distracted driving not only can cause injury to drivers and their passengers, but also pedestrians.

“Don’t be a ‘ped(texttrian),'” Erdman said, demonstrating how looking at a cell phone while texting and walking can make someone oblivious to the dangers around them, including walking into the path of oncoming traffic, not seeing a driver who is out of control, a tree, a post, a hole, an uneven surface and other individuals.

The information shared for the students was not only considered valuable and potentially life-saving for them but also for school district personnel.

Evans said this instruction is built into the health and physical education curriculum.

“We have an epidemic in the community with substance abuse,” he said.

“If you plan on heading out to enjoy the big game, have a game plan in place for a sober ride home. If you are the designated driver, take your responsibility seriously and refrain from having any alcohol,” said Erdman.

Students were also reminded to never accept a ride from a driver who has been drinking or using drugs and were encouraged to speak up when someone is not being safe.

Preliminary PennDOT data shows there were 189 crashes resulting in one fatality and 93 injuries in Pennsylvania during the 2024 Super Bowl. Drunken drivers were involved in 34 of last year’s Super Bowl crashes.

PennDOT officials also cautioned that medications mixed with alcohol can exaggerate alcohol’s effects, causing even greater impairment.

“Before you head out, make a game plan that includes a sober driver — someone who will not drink at all, and who will safely bring you home,” stated a PennDOT press release. “Designated drivers are the real MVPs of the big game.”

PennDOT offers these safety tips for Super Bowl Sunday:

Remember it is never OK to drive impaired. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home safely.

If hosting a party, offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Take the keys away from anyone impaired and assist guests in getting home safely.

If you are planning on being the designated driver, refrain from drinking any alcohol.

“Remember, impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable,” the news release said.

To learn more about impaired driving and traffic safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.