 "Photo: Courtsey Photo")
Alcohol and Other Drug Initiatives at San Diego State has teamed up with the Center for Transportation Safety to help raise awareness by hosting a Driving Under the Influence simulator tomorrow.
From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. AOD will visit the campus on Campanile Walkway.
The 72-foot-long trailer consists of a classroom for 12 people, placing a 13th person behind the wheel. This gives students a chance to experience and observe the driver performing under the influence through simulation.
Lois Arnold, spokeswoman for the Center for Transportation Safety, said the main objective is to show students they are not good drivers when they drink and drive.
"We start them out sober, and through simulation, gradually increase their blood alcohol content (BAC) level and see how their driving skills begin to diminish," she said.
Office of AOD Initiatives strives to help students become aware of the dangers and consequences of a DUI.
Susan Henry, a health educator at Student Health Services, said SDSU fits the age profile of 18- to 24-year-olds with the highest number of fatalities and injuries in alcohol-related collisions in California.
"To avoid all consequences of being involved in a DUI event, students must choose not to drive after consuming alcohol," Henry said.
San Diego County Deputy Sheriff Ernie Carrillo feels DUI simulators help save lives and help students become more vigilant in DUI consequences.
"DUI simulators are highly effective in learning the effects of driving under the influence, helping to realize you're violating the law if you drink and drive," Carrillo said.
According to the California Highway Patrol Web site, www.chp.ca.gov, one American life is lost every 22 minutes in an alcohol-related traffic collision.
Visitors of the site can also read about BAC levels specified in a drink chart guide, which matches weight and number of drinks consumed in more than two hours. The site also mentions a BAC level of .08 percent or more is in violation of the law.
That information is not surprising for first-year teaching associate and Spanish graduate student Gwen Fish.
"It's a great educational benefit for the DUI simulator to visit our campus because the issue is relevant for our community," she said. "I'm always hearing background conversations from students talking about alcohol and partying before class begins."
Arnold said the strategic goal of the DUI simulator is to help save lives.
"Through simulation education, students will see how their peers and themselves are not safe drivers when they drink," she said. "Our goal is to help reduce fatalities and injuries."
Community leader Tunde Ridley, a site supervisor for a nonprofit organization in San Carlos, said the event is a great opportunity for drinkers and non-drinkers to check out the simulator. He said he feels those who do drink are compelled to drive under the influence in wary situations.
"People who are heavy drinkers will see what the DUI simulator is like, but in the end will resort themselves back in driving under the influence," he said.
However, SDSU does have many resources assisting students with the process of moving forward in alcohol-related car accidents. For example, SHS offers professional and psychological addiction treatment needs, such as telephone and one-on-one counseling consultations.
The greek community also promotes educational events in making smart choices for appropriate assistance while at SDSU.
Students who are interested will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from SHS, Public Safety, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol, Associated Students and Counseling and Psychological Services.
Henry said the bottom line for this campus-wide campaign is to help advocate drunk driving as a serious health threat among SDSU students and the community.
"We have two messages we want to deliver with this program," she said. "If you drink, don't drive, and do not ride with any driver who has been drinking."
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