180 juniors and seniors from Notre Dame High, Rayne High, Iota High, Crowley High, and Church Point High had the day to unwind without their cellphones and learn more about the dangers of being distracted while driving.

The Arrive Alive Tour made its stop in Acadia Parish to show what it is like to drive while texting and also under the influence.

‘CHOICES’ of Acadia parish joined with Arrive Alive to give high school students a reality check on the dangers of driving while distracted.

Maxine Trahan has been with the sheriffs office for over 30 years and says this is an important experience for the teens.

She tells us she “feels so many young people think ‘I got this, I’ve done it for so long, i can do this’ its when will your number come up. because its going to happen “

The event held in Scott featured a variety of activities like bounce houses, snowballs, rock climbing and Meet and Greet with the State Police dog Lacy.

But the main attraction was the arrive alive vehicle.

Trahan says “students have the opportunity to actually sit in the car put on the goggles and they do what they normally do when they’re texting and driving.”

The vehicle is secured on a platform with sensors hooked up to the brake and pedals.

alterations are made to imitate realistic difficulties of steering.

Students put on virtual simulator glasses which show different levels of imparted vision.

They’re then told to text and drive under these conditions.

One junior from Church Point High tells us it felt very real.

“Kylie Credeuv, a senior at Church Point says “it was a really good way to inform us on how to not text and drive or just drive distracted in general. and its very informative without actually hurting anybody .”

I even had a chance to test out the simulator. and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy.  It was very difficult to even pick up the phone while trying to stay in the correct lane and go the correct speed limit.

After you finish the course, you get a ticket with all of your charges. My charges include: cell phone use, texting, speeding, swerving, driving on incorrect side of road and vehicular manslaughter.

The national highway traffic safety administration says drivers in their twenties account for twenty seven percent  of distracted drivers in fatal crashes.