Massapequa High Students Experience Dangers of Distracted, Impaired Driving

Driving simulation program teaches lasting lessons about road safety

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:06pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a car steering wheel in neon shades of blue, green, and pink, conceptually representing the high-tech driving simulators used to educate students about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration captures the immersive driving safety experience for Massapequa High School students.Massapequa Today

Juniors and seniors at Massapequa High School in New York participated in an impactful driving safety program, using virtual reality simulators to experience the dangers of distracted and impaired driving firsthand. The Save a Life Tour event, hosted by the school's PTSA, aimed to educate young drivers on the real-world consequences of risky behaviors behind the wheel.

Why it matters

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among teenagers, often due to distracted or impaired driving. Programs like this one at Massapequa High School provide powerful, hands-on learning experiences to help young drivers understand the critical importance of safe driving habits.

The details

Students used virtual reality goggles and simulators to experience impaired driving, with blurred vision and delayed reactions, as well as distracted driving while responding to messages on a cell phone. Before the simulations, they heard real stories from the Save a Life Tour manager about the tragic consequences of risky driving behaviors. Afterwards, students signed a pledge to avoid distracted and impaired driving.

  • The Save a Life Tour event took place at Massapequa High School on April 1, 2026.
  • The school hosts this driving safety program annually through the Junior/Senior PTSA.

The players

Massapequa High School

A public high school located in Massapequa, New York, serving students in grades 9-12.

Junior/Senior PTSA

The parent-teacher-student association at Massapequa High School that organized the driving safety event.

Ben Middleton

The manager of the Save a Life Tour program who shared real stories with students about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.

Grace Hoffman

A senior at Massapequa High School who experienced the impaired driving simulator and shared her perspective on the importance of the program.

Cindi St. George

The main campus vice president of the Massapequa High School PTSA, who discussed the organization's goal of educating students about safe driving practices.

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What they’re saying

“It's a good experience because we're all getting cars and our licenses now, and it's an important thing to learn not to drink and drive.”

— Grace Hoffman, Senior

“It's important for students to be aware of the true dangers of texting and driving and drinking and driving. This hands-on program allows the students to feel the true effects through high-tech simulators and virtual reality experiences. We hope the students gained a powerful understanding of why they should avoid both impaired and distracted driving. It's simple; don't drink and drive and put the phone away.”

— Cindi St. George, Main Campus Vice President, PTSA

What’s next

Massapequa High School plans to continue hosting the Save a Life Tour program annually to educate each new class of students about the critical importance of safe driving habits.

The takeaway

This driving safety program at Massapequa High School provides a powerful, immersive learning experience to help young drivers understand the real-world consequences of distracted and impaired driving. By using virtual reality simulations and personal testimonies, the school is taking proactive steps to promote safe driving behaviors and potentially save lives in the local community.