PRESS PHOTO BY JIM MARSH

Salisbury High School junior Lindsey Joseph has a chance to experience the consequences of distracted or impaired driving without anyone getting hurt at the school recently. A driving simulator, with specially designed software providing the experience of real-time on-the-road situations, allowed drivers to react to roadway hazards in an attentive driving mode. The software then simulated a driver distracted by cellphone use, or by texting while driving, or driving under the influence. Depending on the period of inattention, the software simulated the results of an accident: up to the injury or death of the driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian, or those in another vehicle. Joseph said the simulation "was quite real." William McQuilken, trauma prevention coordinator for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, said several simulators are available free of charge to schools or organizations to educate drivers about the importance of attentive driving. The exercise was organized by Salisbury Township Police Department School Resource Officer Richard Nothstein.