Thursday, October 27th was DUI awareness day at Pierce. Representatives from State Farm Insurance, Lakewood Police Department, and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department were on-hand in the Cascade building.
State Farm set up a DUI simulator that placed students in a car cockpit, with a steering wheel, surrounded by three screens. Using a computer program the simulator provides a virtual road course with everything from rain, snow, oncoming traffic and train crossing stops.
After driving once through the course students were giving two sets of goggles impairing their vision. Each set replicated the effects of alcohol while driving at different levels of intoxication.
The first set was a blood alcohol level of .08, which is just over the legal limit, and the second was a blood alcohol level of 1.5, which is twice the legal limit.
Justin Stevenson was one of the students who participated in the simulator exercise. “I couldn’t see, everything was blurry and out of order, i couldn’t really see what was going on,” Stevenson said.
Students were also given the opportunity to attempt a number of field sobriety tests administered during DUI stops while wearing the goggles.
First year student Billy Martinez executed the walk and turn test with goggles representing a blood alcohol level of 1.5. To perform the test, you must take nine heel-to-toe steps forward, pivot, and then take nine heel-to-toe steps back.
While performing this test, you are asked to count out loud the number of steps that you have taken.
“I was surprised how far off of the line I ended up, I wasn’t even close,” Martinez said.
Jeremy Prater, a seven-year veteran of the Lakewood PD, assigned to the Target Zero task force, gave a presentation on DUI awareness in the cafeteria.
Target Zero is a strategic highway safety plan implemented by the state in 2010 with a goal of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero by the year 2030.
Prater spoke about state laws and regulations, as well as the penalties incurred from DUI arrests. He also talked about the myths associated with alcohol use, pointing out that time, not coffee and a cold shower is the only effective way to sober up.
“These presentations are especially helpful for people who are too young to drink,” Prater said.
“Anytime we can get info out to the masses I think it’s beneficial,” Prater added.
According to the US Department of Transportation, 232 of the 492 Washington state traffic fatalities recorded in 2009 were alcohol related. A DUI is currently a misdemeanor offense carrying steep fines and penalties effecting driving privileges.
However if an individual is arrested five times for DUI, the fifth offense is charged as a felony. The implied consent law states that by operating a vehicle in the state of Washington, you are automatically giving consent to have your breath or blood tested if a law enforcement officer believes you have been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Refusal to submit to a breath or blood test will result in driving privileges being revoked for at least one year.
There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are attending a function where alcohol is present, plan ahead by designating a sober driver or traveling by taxi.