Helping Canberra High Students See the Risks Clearly

For students at Canberra High School, a recent classroom activity offered a powerful reminder of just how quickly judgement, balance, and reaction time can change when someone is impaired. 

With the help of Fatal Vision Impairment Goggles, commonly known as "drunk goggles", students have been able to safely experience some of the effects associated with alcohol and drug impairment, including visual distortion, confusion, reduced alertness, slower reaction times, and altered depth and distance perception.

It is one thing to talk about the dangers of driving under the influence. It is another thing entirely to try completing a simple task while your coordination, judgement, and perception are affected. That is what makes this learning tool so powerful.

The goggles will be used across Canberra High School's Health and Physical Education classes for Year 9 and Year 10 students, as well as the Year 10 ACT Pre-Learner Licence Training Program. In total, more than 400 students are expected to take part in these important lessons. For many young people, these road safety messages arrive at an important time, just as they begin thinking about what it means to get behind the wheel. The sessions will help students better understand how quickly everyday situations can become dangerous when someone's judgement or coordination is impaired.

Canberra High School Youth Support Worker and ACT Pre-Learner Licence Training Program Course Coordinator, Paul Simmons, said the goggles will help reinforce important safety messages around alcohol, responsible decision-making, and sobriety behind the wheel.

The Tradies was pleased to join the Canberra High School Parents and Citizens Association in supporting the purchase of the goggles, helping to bring this hands-on learning experience to local students. At The Tradies, supporting local schools, families, and community wellbeing is part of who we are. This initiative is a practical, meaningful way to help young people make safer choices now and into the future.

A big thank you to Canberra High School for the work they are doing to equip young people with the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to make responsible decisions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have for students this year and in the years ahead.

*Disclaimer: Due to limited photography from the event, images have been used for illustrative purposes only.