For Immediate Release
Contact:
Vicki Hudson 616/234-2406
Dave Selmon 616/234-4163
GRCC Event Allows Younger Drivers
To Safely “Learn From Experience” In Drunk Driving Simulator
Grand Rapids, MI, April 13, 2004 –
In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month, Grand Rapids Community College will
provide over 1500 area students and employees with an opportunity to see - and
feel - for themselves the dangerous effects of driving under the influence of
alcohol. The event is co-sponsored by AAA of Michigan.
In addition to GRCC students and employees, local high schools and organizations
will be sending groups to the GRCC campus this Wednesday and Thursday from 8 AM
– 7 PM to experience a drunk-driving simulator either personally or on one of
the huge video screens right alongside GRCC students and employees.
“It’s getting near graduation time, and prom time is even closer,” says GRCC
Assistant Student Activity Director Dave Selmon, “and there is no better time to
convince students about the consequences of driving after even one drink. That’s
what this simulator will do – let them experience their own reactions
–physically and mentally. They don’t want a lecture at this time in their lives.
They learn by experience.”
The simulator, which has been used around the U.S., most recently at Duke
University in North Carolina, but never before in Michigan, has generated huge
turnouts wherever it has been available. It can accommodate up to 15 students an
hour as each participant “drives” after the machine “gives them” one drink, then
a second and a third. The simulator offers 200 different experiences, most of
which, according to Selmon, “will end with an accident because of driver error.”
GRPS high schools are all sending groups, as well as Project Rehab, St. John’s
Home, Jellema House, and Hope Network. All GRCC Police Academy, Nursing,
Criminal Justice, Wellness, and Bridges in Blue (a minority law enforcement
recruitment program co-sponsored by several local police agencies) classes will
attend as well as several employee groups.
“Whenever we can, we like to open up college events to the members of the
community,” said Student Affairs Dean Tina Oen Hoxie. “It only makes sense,
since we are the community’s college.”
The simulations will be done in GRCC’s Applied Technology Center (ATC)
Auditorium. Groups will be attending at pre-scheduled times, but media
representatives that would like to cover the simulator experience, can call
Selmon at (616) 234-4163, to schedule a time.
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