4 Drowsy Driving Prevention Ideas to Keep Students Engaged

Illustrate the dangers of drowsy driving with these hands-on activities and ideas.

Drowsy and distracted driving is a serious topic that should have students’ full attention during drivers’ safety programs. However, as anyone who has ever taught high school aged-students can probably attest, that’s sometimes easier said than done.

It’s essential to hold students’ attention to ensure your drowsy, and distracted driving lessons stick with them long after class lets out. These drowsy driving prevention ideas illustrate its dangers while keeping students engaged.

1. Statistics
2. Video resources
3. Invite a speaker
4. Fatal Vision® goggle kits

Keep reading to learn more about these drowsy driving prevention ideas and how to implement them in your educational programs!

Statistics

Numbers help highlight the problem in a quantifiable way. Here are some drowsy and distracted driving statistics to share with students in your program:

• Drowsy driving accounts for about 100,000 vehicle crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities yearly. (National Safety Council)
• Nearly 10% of all vehicle crashes are the result of drowsy driving. (AAA)
• Drowsy driving mimics the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. Eighteen hours without sleep is similar to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .05%. (CDC)

Video resources

Showing videos can be a helpful way to change things up in your drowsy driving prevention program and add an interesting multimedia element. The key is ensuring the videos are concise, engaging, and impactful. 

Here are a few video drowsy driving prevention ideas from Fatal Vision to consider.

• Texting & Driving: The Deadliest Distraction
• Danger Behind the Wheel: The Facts About Distracted Driving
• Asleep At The Wheel

Invite a speaker

Hearing the testimonial of someone directly impacted by drowsy driving — or who has impacted others by driving while drowsy or distracted themselves — can help deliver a powerful message to students. The firsthand experience can help students relate to the experience and put themselves in another person’s shoes. 

Conduct an online search for a distracted or drowsy driving public speaker to find one for your school or educational program. You may even find one who is local to your area!

Fatal Vision® goggles kit

One of the most unique and engaging drowsy driving prevention ideas is one of the Fatal Vision® Drowsy and Distracted Goggles Kits. With a switch to the drowsy setting, the goggles will simulate short periods of blackouts that would happen if the driver were to nod off to sleep. These short periods become longer and longer with time. 

When the goggles are used hand-in-hand with the DIES® Mat or Distract-a-Match® game included in the kit, participants can experience firsthand (and in a safe, controlled environment) how difficult it can be to navigate a vehicle while drowsy. 

To learn more about our drowsy driving prevention ideas and tools and how to incorporate them into your educational programs, visit our online store or contact our team today.