FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The Fort Eustis Drug Demand Reduction Office hosted the Save-a-Life Tour, or S.A.L.T. on May 19, 21 and 22.
The S.A.L.T is a driving safety program geared toward high schools, colleges and military installations, and includes video presentations, a speaker and driving simulators.
"[Our goal is to] impact them from a different perspective," said Andrew Tipton, S.A.L.T manager. "We don't want to kill them with [slide presentations], so we engage them with graphic videos and simulations."
Educational tools at the event included drunk driving and texting and driving chairs. In the drunk driving simulator, the computer slows all of the reactions down, just like a person would react if under the influence.
In the texting and driving chair, a Soldier holds a phone that receives text messages and is required to drive and respond to the phone. During the program, Soldiers learned drinking and driving facts as well as statistics associated with text messaging and driving.
Statistics show that texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving, said Tipton. It takes approximately 4.66 seconds to check a text message and in that time, if traveling at 55 mph, a vehicle will travel the distance of a football field, he said.
"This is a huge distance to not look at the road," said Tipton. "You do not know what could happen in front of you or behind you."
According to Walter Gains, DDRO prevention coordinator, the presentation assists Soldiers in annual training requirements. According to Army Regulation 600-85, Soldiers are required to take four hours of substance abuse training per year, which S.A.L.T. satisfies, he said.
"We brought in S.A.L.T. in hopes to get our Soldiers to make good decisions," said Gains. "I could stand up there and give a presentation, but I feel the Soldiers will be more impacted from the tour."
The impacts of impaired driving carry more than physical risks, said Tipton. A single driving-under-the-influence charge could cost a person up to $10,000, ruin a career or a family and it can also ruin a future, he said.
While talking to the crowd, Tipton asked if anyone there currently had an extra $10,000 sitting around for a "just-in-case DUI;" everyone shook their heads or answered no.
"Everyone knows [drinking and driving or texting and driving] are dangerous," said Tipton. "Everyone knows it can hurt a person; that's not new news. That's why we want you to think twice about your decisions."
For more information, contact the Drug Demand Reduction Office at 878-2924.