2008 Woodie Awards
Event features 'drunken' driving
SIMULATION: Using goggles that simulate drunken vision, students try to complete various tasks while balanced.
By: Michele Polendey
Issue date: 3/31/05 Section: News
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Alcohol is not the only way to experience the effects of intoxication.
Stumbling students could be seen driving golf carts into cones yesterday while participating in the annual "Driving Under The Influence Awareness" event.
Hosted by the police department along with The California Office of Traffic Safety, this event proved to be beneficial for the students.
"This is the fifth time we've done this and it's by far the biggest turnout that we have ever had," Sgt. Kirk Johnston said.
"We added the golf carts, that the students love, and the basketball hoop is real popular," he said.
The Schauerman Library lawn was filled with students interested in receiving hands-on experience of driving under the influence of alcohol and experiencing its impact.
"We can tell everyone not to drink and drive , but we would rather show them," Jason Walters, California Office of Traffic Safety agent, said.
Students were able to drive a golf cart on a course aligned with cones while wearing the goggles that simulate a drunken driver's vision impairment.
The goggles ranged in levels creating the feeling of having a blood alcohol level of .06, just under the legal limit, to .20, which is considered fatal.
"Most of the students like to compare the way they feel after a couple of drinks to the way they feel with the goggles on and they agree the goggles are pretty accurate," Walters said.
"The law actually says you cannot drive under the influence of alcohol at all," Johnston said. "But if you are point-zero eight or greater, you are automatically guilty of driving under the influence," Johnston said.
For many students, it is surprising how much their judgment is impaired only after a couple of alcoholic beverages.
"With the goggles on, it looks like everything is blurring together. While driving on the course, I hit a couple of cones," Ruth Patterson, sign language major, said.
While some students agreed they knew the dangers of driving intoxicated before the event, many said the experience makes risks more of a reality for them.
Stumbling students could be seen driving golf carts into cones yesterday while participating in the annual "Driving Under The Influence Awareness" event.
Hosted by the police department along with The California Office of Traffic Safety, this event proved to be beneficial for the students.
"This is the fifth time we've done this and it's by far the biggest turnout that we have ever had," Sgt. Kirk Johnston said.
"We added the golf carts, that the students love, and the basketball hoop is real popular," he said.
The Schauerman Library lawn was filled with students interested in receiving hands-on experience of driving under the influence of alcohol and experiencing its impact.
"We can tell everyone not to drink and drive , but we would rather show them," Jason Walters, California Office of Traffic Safety agent, said.
Students were able to drive a golf cart on a course aligned with cones while wearing the goggles that simulate a drunken driver's vision impairment.
The goggles ranged in levels creating the feeling of having a blood alcohol level of .06, just under the legal limit, to .20, which is considered fatal.
"Most of the students like to compare the way they feel after a couple of drinks to the way they feel with the goggles on and they agree the goggles are pretty accurate," Walters said.
"The law actually says you cannot drive under the influence of alcohol at all," Johnston said. "But if you are point-zero eight or greater, you are automatically guilty of driving under the influence," Johnston said.
For many students, it is surprising how much their judgment is impaired only after a couple of alcoholic beverages.
"With the goggles on, it looks like everything is blurring together. While driving on the course, I hit a couple of cones," Ruth Patterson, sign language major, said.
While some students agreed they knew the dangers of driving intoxicated before the event, many said the experience makes risks more of a reality for them.