Simulation reinforces hazards of driving while impaired
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
More than 10,000 people die each year as the result of drunk driving crashes.
A group of Lipscomb students is trying to reduce that number by educating the campus community about the impact of driving while impaired. On April 2, social clubs Kappa Chi and Delta Tau hosted a simulation exercise on campus to help students, faculty and staff understand the affect the alcohol consumption has on a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.
“Our goal is to deter this type of behavior and this simulation is a good way to try to do that,” said Sara Brady, a senior chemistry major from Middleton, Tenn. “We are conducting this simulation activity in a safe environment instead of on a road where someone can get killed.”
The social clubs partnered with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to host the event, which took place in Bison Square. After signing a waiver, participants wore goggles designed to simulate the impact on vision and perception of blood alcohol concentration of .07-1.0 percent, 1.2-1.5 percent and 2.0 percent. In Tennessee, driving under the influence of alcohol is defined as driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08 percent.
Next, participants tried to drive a golf cart around a course set up in Bison Square while wearing the glasses. Then police officers put participants through a field sobriety test while wearing the goggles.
“It was really difficult to drive,” said Ana Dron, a junior nursing major from Sacramento, Calif., after completing the exercise. “I hit a cone. It was tough to focus. This was a good experience.”
This is an issue that hits close to home for Kappa Chi members.
“This is an issue close to our hearts because one of our members was hit by a drunk driver,” said Caitlin Perry, senior biology major from Brentwood, Tenn. “This simulation is a way for students to understand on a personal level the severity of this issue. It’s a great learning experience.”
MNPD’s Russ Ward said creating awareness is a good step toward reducing the number of drunk driving related deaths in Tennessee.
“To date in 2015 there have been around 150 traffic accident fatalities in Tennessee and about 60 percent of those have been alcohol or drug related,” said Ward, MNPD drug recognition expert. “This simulation delivers a serious message. Every life lost on the highway is a tragedy, and every one is preventable. If this activity prevents one life from being lost, it’s worth it.”
A key component of Lipscomb’s Greek life program is that each social club organize an alcohol and/or drug awareness event each year to raise awareness and to educate the student body of the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
“The goal of this initiative is to separate the Greek life program at Lipscomb from the stereotype that many people have of Greek programs,” said Sam Parnell, director of Lipscomb’s Greek life program and Sewell Hall residence hall director. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard and calling just like we do all of our students. These organizations are very visible on campus and have an opportunity to be leaders in this arena.”
For more information about Lipscomb’s Greek life program, visit www.lipscomb.edu/gogreek.