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Photograph by George Sakkestad
Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police officer John Jennings tries to walk a straight line wearing Fatal Vision Goggles during Drug Awareness Week at Los Gatos High School.
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Cops give 'sobriety tests' to kids wearing goggles By Michelle Alaimo
It's not every day that teenagers get the chance to see a Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department officer stumble through a sobriety test. But March 3 wasn't any other day, it was the day that Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA) brought four pairs of Fatal Vision Goggles to Los Gatos High School as part of Drug Awareness Week.
Teenagers had a chance to see how well they could walk the line in a mock sobriety test while wearing the goggles, which simulate the visual effects of being drunk by altering the way the eyes focus and view objects.
Some thought it would be a piece of cake to pass the test. However, once the students took part in the test, they learned how wrong they were.
"I thought it would be easier than it looks but the goggles throw you off balance," senior Robert Morris said. "It was a pretty interesting experience."
Sophomore Rachel Bialick added that when wearing the goggles, it seemed like there were two sobriety check lines to follow, which made it hard for her to figure out just where she was walking.
CASA bought the pairs of goggles for $600 in December for the community to use, CASA chairperson Kim Bidermann said. The goggles come in day vision with a preset blood alcohol content of .17 or nearly twice the legal limit, and night vision, which were preset at the legally drunk blood alcohol content of .08.
Students were not required to take part in the lunchtime activity but many lined up after watching their fellow classmates and John Jennings, the officer giving the test, stumble around awkwardly with many not even walking close to the line.
After trying the goggles on, Jennings said they are "frighteningly realistic" and a really good way for teens to experience the visual effects of being legally impaired.
And Officer John Campos, who teaches a variety of classes in the Los Gatos area, plans to add the goggles to his LGHS Drivers Education class beginning this month.
"We could talk to them about not drinking and driving but this is an added tool that is effective," Campos said.
Freshman Peter Kiszka agreed that the goggles would be an effective tool in showing teens what it is like to be drunk.
State and local teachers at the school will also be using the goggles as a way to teach responsible driving, CASA board member Vera Fagot said. She adds that they want the community to use the goggles.
Organizations or groups wishing to request use of the goggles can call CASA at 354-2730, ext. 349.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
