Local students have had the confronting experience of getting behind the wheel of a simulator that behaves as if they are under the influence of alcohol or distracted by their mobile phone.
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Students at Red Bend Catholic College were the latest to get the chance to drive a simulator that behaved as if they were texting, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while still in a safe environment.
"It was pretty (easy) to drive at the start, but after you're under the influence, it affects your ability to drive," Gracey Denham-Jones said.
"It felt a lot different from driving the ute around," Lachlan Farmer.
Students in years 10 and 11 tested their skills on two modules recommended by NSW Police - the effects of distraction/texting whilst driving and driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
The driving simulator is based out of Young but has been taken around the region for students to see the negative side effects of driving while under the influence or distracted.
In a previous statement to the Advocate Rotarian Frank Lincoln said they originally came up with the idea to use the driving simulator to help show the effects of distraction, drugs and alcohol on driving with members of the PCYC.
Year 11 student Gracey Denham-Jones said the distraction/texting whilst driving simulation really affected her ability to drive correctly.
Ms Denham-Jones said the simulator really made her aware of how difficult it to drive while distracted or under the influence.
Antez Varghese said the simulator brought some realism to driving a car and the potential consequences of not following the road rules.
Mr Varghese said the realism of the simulator is what everyone in the school about to get their licence should experience and utilise.
Year 11 student Lachlan Farmer said it was a lot harder to drive when the effects of alcohol and drugs were simulated.
More than 2000 students from around the region have tested their skills on the simulator since Young Rotary purchased it two years ago.
The simulator has travelled to Forbes High School and Parkes schools with the help of Neighbourhood Central.
The organisation secured secured Commbank Foundation Centenary Grant funding and used it to partner with Forbes and Young Rotary Clubs to bring the simulator here.
