Credit: BTSD
With car crashes the leading cause of death for American teens, Harry S. Truman High School has added a drivers’ education course for students.
The Bristol Township high school started offering a course for students at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Despite the pandemic, the high school staff was still able to teach students the rules of the road.
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The program has three driving simulators with a screen, steering wheel, pedals, and gear shifts for use by students. The simulators will be complimented by a new simulator room next school year.
“Using the car simulator was a ten out of ten experience,” said Christina Williams, a tenth grade student. “I would totally love to do it again and it really gave me real world experience of what driving is like.”
Suzanne Denny, the high school’s health and physical education department lead, said the simulators allow for students to practice with automatic or manual driving.
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“Studies show that simulators aren’t just video games,” Denny said. “They allow kids to be put in dangerous situations without actually being in them.”
The goal of the simulators is to help students reduce their fear and anxiety before taking to the wheel for the first time. The system also gives students a first-hand look at driving in bad weather, at night, and while impaired.
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“It was fun to do and had very realistic situations,” said Maryssa Felgenhauer, eleventh grade student. “It gave a good idea of how real driving actually is.”
The simulators allow students to practice parallel parking, highway or city driving, and become familiar with basics like road signs and signals.
PennDOT requires 65 hours of adult-supervised driving for new drivers. The in-school simulator driving is able to be counted toward one hour of driving on the road.
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The program has been in the works for the past few years.
Denny and other physical education teacher had discussed and then began planning. The Pennsylvania Department of Education certified the course created by the Truman teachers and added it to the school’s curriculum guide.
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The class is offered as a half-year elective for students in grades 9 to 12.
Denny and Steve Sicilia both teacher the driver’s education course and taught approximately 150 students this year.
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Denny and Steve Sicilia recently teamed up the American Automobile Association (AAA) to invite two guest speakers to the class.
Once students satisfactorily complete the class, they earn a earn a certification of completion from the state. Some car insurance companies offer discounts if students have a certification.
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“The course doesn’t just benefit the kids, but benefits the whole community,” said Denny.
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