RSC students had the opportunity to learn about the dangers of driving under the influence from representatives of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, and trauma nurses from OU Medical Center. Rose State hosted the two-day course at The Village.
During these demonstrations, students learn about the dangers of driving under the influence and how their choices affect those in the car with them and other drivers on the road.
On the first day, students heard from trauma nurses at The Village Clubhouse. They saw firsthand how dangerous and deadly accidents can be when driving under the influence. They participated in activities rescuing patients along a path.
On the second day, Master Sergeant Eric Kirby brought a large side-by-side vehicle for a hands-on demonstration in the parking lot. He told each student who got behind the wheel that driving under the influence had the potential to negatively impact their life and the lives of others.
MSgt. Kirby had the students wear three different pairs of goggles that obscured their vision while they drove the side-by-side. The driver would wear goggles that simulated three times the legal limit, and the back seat passengers would wear goggles that were twice the legal limit. No student or staff member successfully completed the course. Many of them took out several cones on the course and laughed when they saw what they did. After the participant completed the course, MSgt. Kirby would inform them that each cone represented a human, and the students quickly realized the gravity of the situation and how their actions affect others.
RSC Marketing asked MSgt. Kirby how many presentations the Traffic Safety Division of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office gives each year, and he said several. Over the past three years, the Traffic Safety Division of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office has conducted 941 events, delivering 2,371 presentations to students ranging from middle school to college. These presentations have reached more than 648,198 people.
“We hope that this event saves lives,” said Coordinator of Residence Life Felicia Wyatt. “If one student left thinking twice before getting behind the wheel drunk or distracted, then it was all worth it. The presentation and simulations made everything real, no matter how long you’ve been driving. It’s Important to remember: One Choice can change a life.”