Washington state drivers may know that texting while driving can impair their ability to react and drive safely on the road. But many do it anyway, regardless of potential consequences.

That’s why Bates Technical College in Tacoma has teamed up with UNITE International’s Arrive Alive Tour to help educate the public about dangers associated with texting and driving. On Thurs., Nov. 14, between 8:30 a.m.and 2:30 p.m., the Arrive Alive Tour will bring a distracted-driving simulator to the college’s South Campus auto body program, located at 2201 S. 78th Street, in Tacoma. The simulator will allow users to experience distracted driving first hand without actually being in a dangerous situation. Billed as the most high-tech texting and distracted driving simulator in the nation, it also includes a passenger-eye view, which allows anyone standing around the simulator to experience what the driver experiences.

Participants will receive a mock ticket following their simulation so they can better understand the physical and legal dangers of texting and distracted driving. Throughout the day, a facilitator will ask questions and provide statistics about the dangers associated with distracted driving, and a high-impact video presentation will play to serve as an additional educational resource for those in attendance.

More information is available online at arrivealivetour.com.