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Save-A-Life Tour Shows Drunken Driving

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Photo by Janelle Martin

Simulation — The Save-A-Life tour set up in the Gibson University Center Green Room during Black History Week at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The full-scale simulator allowed students to view how well the driver navigated the course.

   Students participated in a driving simulation Feb. 16 that gave them a chance to experience drunk driving from a sober perspective.

   Brian Beldyga and Nathan Vanderloeg, of Edu-tainment from Grand Rapids, Mich., instructed the students on how the simulation works. The simulation shows students from a sober prospective how alcohol affects reaction times and motor skills. Students learn how alcohol can make someone develop tunnel vision and become one-track minded.

   Beldyga and Vanderloeg use computers, dashes of vehicles, plasma televisions and standard equipment found in a car to convey the message about drunk driving.

   "It consists of hit and miss situation," Beldyga said. "Some people do not want to listen. We use accurate information to tell them one thing that they have heard about drinking and driving and the participants get to see it simulated."

   Beldyga said some people have to find out the hard way about drinking and driving and how dangerous it can be.

Photo by Janelle Martin

Harder than it looks — Nathan Vanderbloeg instructs senior Amanda Haught as she drives the simulator.

   "We are here to give them a chance to see from a sober point of view. Be that person; always be there for your friends and always take the keys," he said.

   Amanda Haught, a senior English and history double major from McGehee, drove the simulator.

   "It was irritating because the car didn't do what I said when I said," she said.

   Katie Hughes, a first-year student from Star City, also tried driving the simulator.

   "I was trying to be cautious and in the process, I missed important details around me," she said. "I wouldn't drink and drive, because it is wrong. After going through the simulation, I realize how dangerous it can be to drink and drive."

  For more information, call 1-888-655-7263 or check out the Save-A-Life Tour Web site at www.SAVEALIFETOUR.com.

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