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October 21, 2005

Life-size video game has sober students
experience dangers of driving drunk

As an extension of last weeks National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, "The Save a Life Tour" will make a Sacramento State stop on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the University Union Ballroom. The tour brings with it a 36-foot trailer that carries a DUI simulator where participants can experience the dramatic effects that alcohol can have on vision, reaction time and hand and eye coordination while driving.

The simulator is an interactive video game that begins with "sober" drivers witnessing the driving of intoxicated motorists. Numerous video screens give observers different perspectives to the gross impairment that alcohol creates. Next, participants are put in the driver's seat and allowed to navigate city streets with an on-screen visual of their simulated blood alcohol content. Over a short period of time driver's blood alcohol content rises and impairs reaction time and vision, causing most drivers to lose control of the vehicle and crash. After their trip, participants receive a "citation" reporting the number of violations they committed while driving.

With growing numbers of DUIs and alcohol related automobile accidents among college students, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week aims to help educate and alert college campuses throughout the country of the harsh reality and consequences of drinking and driving.

The tour is sponsored by Sacramento State's Alcohol Education Program and Peer Health Educators organization and the California State Automobile Association.

For more information on the Save a Life Tour log on to www.savealifetour.net. For more event information, contact Katie Keithler at (916) 278-3540 or at sac63659@saclink.csus.edu or Heather Dunn-Carlton at (916) 278-6905 or at heather@csus.edu. For media assistance, contact the Sacramento State Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.

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