Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Kickoff event planned for April 15

In just one second, a simple distraction can turn a drive into a disaster.

In fact, one out of every 14 automobile crashes in Tennessee involves a distracted driver, according to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO).

“It’s a big issue here in Washington County, where we rank fifth in the state for total accidents between 2013-2024 involving distracted driving,” said Lt. Damon Wilson of the ETSU Police Department. “We wanted to do something in our community to help raise awareness among drivers of all ages about the dangers of distracted driving.”

To make this possible, through a grant from the THSO, the ETSU Police Department has launched the ETSU Distracted Driver Education Experience powered by Brightspeed.

The ETSU Distracted Driver Education Experience is a driving simulator that provides users with an interactive experience to teach them about the hazards of texting while driving. It can also be programmed to simulate other driving behaviors, such as driving under the influence or driving in challenging conditions such as rain or fog.

The ETSU Police Department will host a kickoff celebration for the distracted driving simulator on Tuesday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ETSU’s University Commons.

ETSU Police have already set up the simulator inside the D.P. Culp Student Center for the ETSU community to try. University School criminal justice students have also taken it for a test drive.

These experiences have reached important demographics, as THSO indicated that the most distracted driving accidents occur among people ages 20-25. The second highest is drivers ages 16-20.

“The simulator is designed for drivers of all ages and experience levels,” Wilson said. “It is a good reminder to all of us that one moment of distraction can change our lives – or someone else’s – forever.”

Looking ahead, ETSU Police plan to take the Distracted Driver Education Experience on the road, thanks to a generous sponsorship from Brightspeed, the nation’s third-largest fiber builder empowering families and businesses with “blazing-fast” internet connectivity.

“Our goal is to extend beyond the campus and reach local high schools, forming partnerships to bring the simulator into schools across the area,” Wilson said. “We also aim to bring it to local festivals and major events, allowing even more people to experience its life-saving message.”

Thanks to the THSO grant and the Brightspeed sponsorship, there will be no cost to schools or community organizers who request and receive a visit from the distracted driving simulator.

To learn more or to request an ETSU Distracted Driver Education Experience powered by Brightspeed, email Lt. Damon Wilson at wilsondc2@etsu.edu or ETSU Police Chief Mark Tipton at tiptonlm@etsu.edu.