According to the Pennsylvania DUI Association, inexperience is a leading cause of crashes among teen drivers.  Since 2015, the Cranford Police Department Juvenile Bureau has worked to bring the Pennsylvania DUI Association’s “Safety Simulator” to Cranford in advance of the prom and graduation season to demonstrate the negative effects of drug, alcohol, and distraction on teen drivers.  The Safety Simulator - a large trailer containing an interactive “car” with real dashboard, steering wheel, driver’s seat and surrounding screens - offers students the opportunity to experience the real-time effects of impairment on driving.  The Prevention and Wellness Alliance consistently sponsors this annual educational opportunity for graduating Cranford High School seniors in the hopes of enhancing students’ understanding of substance abuse and its negative effect in decision-making.

In addition to the Safety Simulator, the Cranford Police Traffic Bureau allowed students to experience the “Drunk Buster” go-kart and goggles.  Utilizing vision-distorting lenses, Drunk Buster goggles simulate the effects of alcohol and marijuana consumption on the body. 

Chief Ryan J. Greco thanked the Prevention and Wellness Alliance and the Cranford Public Schools for allowing this educational opportunity to return annually to the Cranford High School during physical education classes.  “In addition to thanking our partners in the Cranford Prevention and Wellness Alliance, I want to thank Principal Mark Cantagallo and his staff at Cranford High School for recognizing the value of bringing this interactive, real-world learning opportunity to Cranford’s students,” he said. 

For more information on the Prevention and Wellness Alliance, visit ourbestcranford.org.