Walking a straight line doesn’t sound hard…until you’re seeing double. That’s what happened inside Burroughs High School’s criminal justice class when students tried on goggles that mimic the effects of alcohol.
The activity was part of a unit on policing and DUI laws, but for many, it turned into something much bigger than just a classroom exercise. Laughter filled the room at first, but within minutes, the tone shifted. Students began to realize how difficult it was to move, balance, or even focus while wearing the goggles.
“The goggles are designed to mimic the visual and motor impairment caused by alcohol,” explained Richard Smith, the class’s teacher. “They distort depth perception, blur vision, and throw off balance. Students realize very quickly how dangerous even slight impairment can be.”
Smith knows the risks of impaired driving firsthand. Before teaching at Burroughs, he worked for the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department and spent more than a decade as a detective and officer with the Ridgecrest Police Department. He says the lesson isn’t just about the science of impairment—it’s also about connecting students to real-world consequences.
“We’re studying California Penal and Vehicle Codes related to DUI offenses right now,” Smith said. “The goggles help take those codes off the page and into reality. My goal has always been to connect theory to practice.”
For senior Joshua Calma, the experience was eye-opening. “It’s like you’re drinking alcohol,” he said after trying on the goggles. “It just feels horrible. And, like, you’re off balance and uncoordinated.”
Calma admitted it changed the way he thinks about drinking altogether. “No, I would never drink at all after that. Never at all, nope.”
According to Smith, Calma’s reaction is typical. Students might laugh in the beginning, but the mood doesn’t stay lighthearted for long. “Many of them say afterward they didn’t realize how hard it is just to walk straight, let alone drive a car impaired,” Smith noted.
The lesson ended with a mix of relief and reflection. What started as a goofy challenge with goggles turned into a serious reminder that alcohol and driving simply don’t mix.
