Save-a-Life Tour provides realistic perspective

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  When the National Save-a-Life Tour stopped by Moody Oct. 30-31, personnel were able to experience first-hand the effects of driving while intoxicated and learned the importance of the wingman concept.

The tour, which is a high-impact alcohol awareness program, included high-intensity videos and a two-million dollar sober drinking and driving simulator.

Brian Beldyga, Save-a-Life Tour senior manager, helped in the creation of the program based on his personal experience.

"My fiancé died nine years ago because of a drunk driver," said Mr. Beldyga. "That was my motivation to help jumpstart the program and it was a much needed commodity because too many people are suffering from these incidents."

The event kicked off with group briefings where the host showed highly graphic scenes from the emergency room and actual accident sites caused from drinking and driving.

The main attraction of the tour was a simulator, which had a 185-degree view of three large TV screens, steering wheel, speedometer, air conditioning unit, radio, gears and brake--much like a real car.

"The simulator controls blood alcohol levels and changes reaction time to be between 1/1000 of a second to 1 second," said Jordan Brinks, Save-a-Life Tour host. "This delays steering, braking and acceleration."

"This shows that motor skills are greatly delayed when there's alcohol in the body," said Mr. Brinks. "Also, because of the simulated delay, people focus more on driving without swerving, instead of paying full attention to the road."

Senior Airman Tiven, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron utilities journeyman, volunteered to go "behind the wheel" of the simulator.

"I didn't realize how much alcohol impairs your motor skills until I tried the simulator," said Airman Tiven. "I was having a hard time driving and controlling the car."

The Safe-a-Life Tour has been educating people for more than nine years. Mr. Beldyga and Mr. Brinks are part of a two-man team, out of three teams, that travel around high schools, colleges and military installations worldwide with a tour truck.

"We're all about making sure people make smart decisions," said Mr. Beldyga. "The simulators help show how much drinking and driving impacts lives.

The big message we're trying to get out is, 'Don't drink and drive'," he added. "Be there for your friends and take the keys."

For more information, visit the website at www.savealifetour.net.