SALT gives Soldiers a turn at driving drunk

Spc. Ottonio Fletcher couldn’t explain why he lost compete control while driving a multimillion dollar drinking and driving simulator as part of the Save a Life Tour Nov. 5 at the Kaiserslautern Community Activity Center on Daenner Kaserne.

“The car was drunk,” said Specialist Fletcher, from Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command.

Save a Life Tour is an alcohol-awareness program designed to educate people about the dangers associated with drinking and driving, said Heather Robinson, the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s alcohol and drug control officer, who is coordinating the tour for USAG Baden-Württemberg communities.

The tour will educate Soldiers and high school students here until Wednesday. It will then travel to Mannheim Nov. 19 to 21 and Heidelberg Nov. 23 to 25 before continuing its seven-week run at Army installations throughout Europe.

Each presentation of the tour begins with a 10-minute video “Red Asphalt V” projected on two 10-foot screens blaring gruesome images of real-life tragedies and heart-wrenching testimony of those left behind to deal with the aftermath.

“The video that they showed – people who have died from drinking and driving – really brought it home for me,” said Staff Sgt. Dennisur Thompson, from HHC, 21st TSC.

After the video presentation, Chris Geysbeek, one of two managers with the European Save a Life Tour, talked with the more than 50 Soldiers attending the training session.

Standing in the middle of banners with grave messages such as “Drinking and Driving Kills,” Mr. Geysbeek said, “We are not here to preach. We want you to be there for your friends.”

Near the end of his hour-long presentation, Mr. Geysbeek recounted being there as his best friend – since they were both two years old – was killed by a drunk driver, throwing him off his motorcycle and sending him flying 400 feet.

“My hope is that, because of this presentation, one person will be able to step up and take the keys from their friends,” he said after recounting the death of his best friend.

Andy Tipton, the other manager for the European Save a Life Tour, said that everyone who works for this company has been affected by drinking and driving.

Funded by the Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs, the Save a Life Tour also includes in its presentation an open casket, earmarked for the next DUI victim.

At center stage of the event, however, was the 185-degree driving simulator equipped with a seat, dashboard with gauges and a speedometer, emergency brake, ignition, steering wheel, turn signal and air bag.

The simulator contains 23 scenarios ranging from city to urban road conditions.

There are also scenarios which include weather conditions such as fog and snow, as well as nighttime driving situations.

Specialist Fletcher’s explanation about the driving simulator being drunk is right on the mark, said Mr. Tipton.

“The alcohol delay people normally experience while drunk is now inside the car instead of the driver,” Mr. Tipton said. “So the commands between the brake, gas and steering wheel are going to be delayed.”

Bellowing out “DUI level has been increased,” the 1,000-pound simulator can go up to 11 levels with a blood alcohol content of .34.

Soldiers who exited the simulator agreed that it gave them a more realistic understanding of what driving intoxicated feels like.

“I’m completely sober, but I couldn’t control the way or timing of how it turned,” Specialist Fletcher said.

“When the levels kept increasing, it actually felt like I was drunk,” Staff Sergeant Thompson said. “It made me want to focus just on the road and not look left or right. I was trying to drive straight.”

That is exactly what a drunk driver does to avoid being stopped by the police, said Mr. Tipton.

Next for the tour here are training sessions at the special events center on Rhine Ordnance Barracks until Wednesday. These training sessions are also open to Airmen, Sailors and government civilians. To schedule an appointment, call Mrs. Robinson at 486-6121 or 06371-86-6121.

For more information on the Save a Life Tour, visit www.savealifetour.com.