Warren East helps kids understand the dangers of distracted and drunk driving

WARREN COUNTY, Ky. – As kids grow older, some parents’ worst nightmare is their child finally becoming a licensed driver.

That’s why Warren East High School hosted Arrive Alive, a driving simulator that helps kids better understand what it’s like to drive drunk, high or distracted and the consequences that come with that.

Kids got to sit behind the seat of a car and drive while regular traffic patterns take place in front of them. Unsurprisingly, every student failed to safely drive while impaired. While talks and simulations like this are important for kids to understand, there is also a role parents should play when it comes to keeping kids safe.

“Continuously check on your kid, you know, ask them the tough questions, you know, ‘do you have friends that drink and drive?’ or “think it’s fun and games to do such and such?” You know, things like that. And really, just take the time and patience to get a better understanding of your kid. And that way, you build to learn and teach them how to make better choices in life,” said Shaquille Hill, an educator for Arrive Alive.

Parents should always be actively involved in their child’s life, especially when it comes to their safety. It’s also important to remember that children emulate what their parents do, so it’s important for parents and guardians to practice safe driving as well.