FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Groups of Soldiers and civilians got first-hand experience of the dire consequences drinking and driving can have thanks to the Save A Life Tour March 9-11.
More than 200 people signed up for an hour-long session at the post theater. They watched graphic videos of real drunk-driving accidents and had the opportunity to use a simulator that emulated the effects of intoxication behind the wheel.
According to Traci Dunlap, Army Substance Abuse Program risk reduction coordinator, the effect is intended to be a sobering one for everyone involved.
"Our job is prevention, so we're trying to get on the front side of these things and keep it from happening," Dunlap said. "We have a good population of young Soldiers, so as they move forward in their careers, we're trying to make them mindful of these situations as they move to their permanent duty stations."
This is the first time SALT has come to Fort Rucker and Jeremiah Newson, SALT tour manager, said he was happy with the level of interest shown by the community and Soldiers.
"In the beginning, you hear some people crack jokes about drinking and driving, but then their perspective gets changed once they see the videos and try to drive the simulator," he said. "I believe this is effective. If we get just one person to stop drinking and driving, we may have saved a lot of lives."
Newson added that some people have mentioned being disturbed by the graphic nature of some of the videos, like Red Asphalt V, but he pointed out why it's important to see them anyway.
"That's real life," he said. "There are no actors; it's not special effects you're seeing on the screen. This is what really happens in these types of accidents."
CW3 Toby Blackmon, F Company, 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment instructor pilot, said he thought the program was well presented and the graphic videos were a major part of SALT's effectiveness.
"I think the videos are really eye-opening," he said. "I'm glad our Soldiers are able to see this. It's designed for teenagers, but we've got some young servicemembers here who need to see it as well. Before, people would put graphs and statistics on the screen or used actors and makeup to simulate these things. Seeing the real thing is much more startling."
For more information on SALT and ASAP, call 255-7089 or visit www.savealifetour.com.
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