DWI, seat belt awareness program available today, April 6

Students+listen+to+a+Department+of+Public+Safety+officer+give+a+DWI+and+seat+belt+awareness+presentation+during+third+period+Thursday%2C+April+6.

Sarah Nease

Students listen to a Department of Public Safety officer give a DWI and seat belt awareness presentation during third period Thursday, April 6.

Students can participate in a DWI and seat belt awareness program today, April 6, outside the Principles of Human Science class. The program includes information about penalties and consequences under the influence of alcohol or drugs and disregarding seat belts. Students can view a rollover accident simulation and experience a sobriety test with alcohol impairment simulation goggles.

State troopers will present facts and observations about DWI, DUI, and seat belts to students. The program, DWI Awareness and Seat belt Awareness, was started by trooper Raul Gomez to inform students of the consequences when breaking the law.

At first I was disoriented and then I was scared because I was concerned that anyone would ever drive in that position.

— Travis Roberts,11

“You should not drive intoxicated,” Gomez said. “We see a lot of crashes where someone was intoxicated. We want to let them know about the penalties.”

Junior Travis Roberts performed the line sobriety test with the alcohol impairment simulation goggles.

“It was interesting to be in the drunk driver position,” Roberts said. “I had no control over my faculties. At first I was disoriented and then I was scared because I was concerned that anyone would ever drive in that position.”

After listening to the presentation, junior Haley English shared her knowledge over the impacts of drinking and driving.

“People don’t realize the consequences,” English said. “They don’t understand the severe impact they will have.”