The state's largest university systems are going on spring break after class Friday, and TxDOT is trying to warn students against drunk driving. TxDOT has been working with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute to set up exhibits highlighting the dangers of drunk driving.
At UT Dallas this week, they set up a display where students could use a drunk driving simulator. They also had goggles to mimic vision at different blood-alcohol levels. Students wearing the goggles would then try to shoot baskets, play cornhole or walk in a straight line.
"It's really, really disorienting. I did not enjoy it at all," one says. "Just trying to walk in that straight line, I couldn't walk."
"Things that are really easy become really hard all of a sudden," another says. "I mean, I missed a high five."
"U in the Driver Seat" is a program led by students. Those who stopped at their tent at UT Dallas could also watch videos recorded by survivors of drunk driving wrecks.
"The human toll of a DWI crash is absolutely devastating," says TxDOT's Alice Rios. "It can just wreak havoc on the lives of victims as well as their families."
"Don't drink and drive," a student said after seeing a video. "You won't be right driving. There's no justification for it."
Rios says the exhibit also shows the long-term impact of drunk driving. TxDOT says those stopped by police could spend $17,000 on fines, legal costs and lost wages.
"It's not just the physical or emotional consequences but the financial consequences," she says.
TxDOT says the availability of rideshare has made planning ahead easier than ever. Otherwise, the agency says groups should plan for someone to stay sober before going out, and groups of friends can rotate the designated driver. People can find other options at soberrides.org.
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