Over 1,500 Porter County students were given the opportunity to experience the hazards of impaired driving in the last three weeks. The Porter County Drunk Driving Task Force visited four high schools this spring: Boone Grove, Morgan Township, Valparaiso, and Wheeler. Task Force members helped students navigate obstacle courses, toss bean bags, kick soccer balls, shoot baskets, complete a seat belt challenge, and other tasks all while wearing specialty goggles that simulate a variety of impairment levels. In the golf carts the students wore goggles that mimicked alcohol impairments of .08 on up to .25 including goggles that replicate nighttime drunken driving.
Students wobbled, wove and otherwise were unsteady on their feet. Their driving skills were not very good either. While there were some laughs the message is serious. There are over 10,000 deaths each year in the United States that are attributable to drunken driving. That comes out to almost 30 a day, or about the size of a typical Porter County classroom of children. Last year in Porter County there were 1,200 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI).
Efforts begun in high school may have long term ramifications. Many students were surprised at how poorly they were able to maintain balance and their inability to see straight. Not drinking and driving is an especially important message this time of year. Students will be attending proms, graduations, parties and other events while either driving or being driven. The Drunk Driving Task Force reminds parents that they are the anti-drug and ask them to set the example and share the message that they should not drink and drive.
Dedicated to working for a drug-free Porter County, the Substance Abuse Council is your county’s oldest coalition working in the battle against drugs.