It’s time to listen to those who care
We all know people who do things because they care; teachers, parents, coaches, aunts, uncles and many others. Have you ever asked yourself why they do these things? Is it because they were told to or is there a genuine part of themselves that wants to help others? Most people who help with the sole purpose of allowing success in others want to help. I’m pretty sure we all know people like that. These people were most likely a big influence in your life at some point in time.
When it comes to road safety I know many people who fit that profile. They genuinely want to help others. Yes, they often get paid to help others, but that’s so they can earn a living to help pay their expenses. However, they tend to go deeper than the basics to ensure the success of others. In the many decades I’ve been involved in road safety, I’ve met many who also volunteer their time before earning a living. One person to mention is Curt Kindschuh. Curt started off as a police officer who had pulled many people over for impaired driving during his 18 years as an officer. In 1990 until 2002 Curt was also heavily involved as a volunteer with MADD.
Curt’s experiences have taken him many places, but one important place was developing goggles to represent what it would be like if someone was impaired by alcohol or drugs. The problem exists when someone is impaired, their thoughts and judgement are also impaired. They can’t realize what they’re doing is wrong when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle if they are already impaired by alcohol or drugs. That’s where these goggles come into play. They send a strong message about the dangers of drinking and driving.
When I first started to teach driver training, we had a pair of these goggles and students were a little surprised with how their vision, coordination and their balance became impaired. My students in the classroom couldn’t walk in a straight line with these goggles on, especially if I asked them thought-provoking questions at the same time. Once they made the connection between these goggles and how their judgement and vision were affected with alcohol, they stopped smiling and started to listen. I always believe in a teaching philosophy of “sell it; don’t tell it”. In other words, no one will do what I tell them. They do what they believe. These goggles helped me “sell it” to my students.
Curt now has branched off into his own company called Drunk Busters. He produces and sells these goggles worldwide. As long as the teacher can make the connection between those goggles and real life, they’re a great tool to use to educated people of all ages of the effects of impaired driving. Learning how impaired driving can affect us is everyone’s responsibility.
To find out more about Curt, his mission and what he does, check out his website here. http://www.drunkbusters.com/about.php It’s time to listen to those who care.
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