Posted 11:50 pm Sunday, April 15, 2012
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Special Goggles Put The Issue Of Drinking, Driving Into Focus
East Texas country singer Neal McCoy once had a hit called “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On.” In the music video a good ol’ boy broken-hearted over being dumped by his girlfriend heads to the local watering hole and drinks until his vision is a bit blurry, to put it kindly.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has its own version of beer goggles – but these are put to good use as part of an alcohol awareness program called “Watch UR BAC” (Blood Alcohol Concentration).
The main attraction is a drunken driving simulator complete with its own version of beer goggles.
“The simulator allows drivers to experience the obstacles and hazards they might encounter if they were impaired by alcohol,” Bobbi Brooks, AgriLife Extension program manager explains in a prepared statement.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has its own version of beer goggles – but these are put to good use as part of an alcohol awareness program called “Watch UR BAC” (Blood Alcohol Concentration).
The main attraction is a drunken driving simulator complete with its own version of beer goggles.
“The simulator allows drivers to experience the obstacles and hazards they might encounter if they were impaired by alcohol,” Bobbi Brooks, AgriLife Extension program manager explains in a prepared statement.
By wearing this version of beer goggles, people find out quickly just how distorted the world becomes after only a few beers.
“Special goggles distort vision to simulate the effects of alcohol on eyesight, while the pedal car portion simulates the experience of driving while impaired,” notes Brooks.
It may be fun to experience the wooziness of the simulator and pretending to drink and drive but this is a lesson that is deadly serious.
“It is critical to get the message on impaired driving to youth and adults, as we all play a part in preventing underage drinking and stopping drunk driving,” stresses Laura Dean-Mooney, a program coordinator and former national president of Mothes Against Drunk Driving.
“Special goggles distort vision to simulate the effects of alcohol on eyesight, while the pedal car portion simulates the experience of driving while impaired,” notes Brooks.
It may be fun to experience the wooziness of the simulator and pretending to drink and drive but this is a lesson that is deadly serious.
“It is critical to get the message on impaired driving to youth and adults, as we all play a part in preventing underage drinking and stopping drunk driving,” stresses Laura Dean-Mooney, a program coordinator and former national president of Mothes Against Drunk Driving.
“Texas continues to lead the nation in alcohol-related traffic fatalities, and we need to address and improve that situation. Programs like ‘Watch UR BAC’ help supplement other awareness and prevention efforts, such as those by MADD and other organizations,” says Dean-Mooney.
Instructors present information on the alcohol content of different beverages, educate participants on the effects of alcohol on the body and discuss risks associated with alcohol poisoning.
“Watch UR BAC” will be presented at Quitman and Hawkins high schools on May 18. For more information, go to watchurbac.tamu.edu. You can also find “Watch UR BAC” updates on Facebook and its“@WatchURBAC” Twitter account.
Contact Danny Mogle at dmogle@tylerpaper.com or 903-596-6256.
Instructors present information on the alcohol content of different beverages, educate participants on the effects of alcohol on the body and discuss risks associated with alcohol poisoning.
“Watch UR BAC” will be presented at Quitman and Hawkins high schools on May 18. For more information, go to watchurbac.tamu.edu. You can also find “Watch UR BAC” updates on Facebook and its“@WatchURBAC” Twitter account.
Contact Danny Mogle at dmogle@tylerpaper.com or 903-596-6256.
