Sheppard turns out for Save-a-Life tour

  • Published
  • By Mike McKito
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  About 1,000 people from Sheppard Air Force Base turned out Oct. 14 as the 82nd Training Wing hosted the national Save-a-Life tour.

According to the Save-a-Life website, over 500,000 people are killed or injured every year due to alcohol-related incidents. Alcoholism, especially when operating a motor vehicle, remains a top-three factor in all Air Force off-duty fatalities, said Mark Schaffer, 82nd Training Wing ground safety manager.

Oscar Perry, the tour's manager, explained what Save-a-Life is all about.

"The purpose of the Save-a-Life tour is to give people a sober perspective of what it means to drink and drive," Mr. Perry said. "It is an epidemic that is a choice that people choose to get involved in. We want to be that stark reminder to not make that choice."

The tour used high-tech audio and video to help attendees understand the deadly effects of drinking and driving.

A hard-hitting piece of the presentation was an emotional story Mr. Perry told the audience about a time when he chose to drink and drive.

Mr. Perry said he took his date to a restaurant where he had a few drinks, with more after dinner.

"I was one of those foolish people who would have said that they were a good drunk driver," Mr. Perry said. "There is no such thing."

After dinner, he chose to drive drunk. A friend, who was chosen beforehand to be the "designated driver," chased after him in her vehicle, honking and trying to get his attention. However, he said he was oblivious to her efforts.

The bars had just closed, he said, and the friend noticed people were crossing the street to get to their vehicles.

Realizing she was not going to get his attention, his friend caught up with him and forced him off the road causing Mr. Perry to pull onto the lawn of a business and stop on top of a speed limit sign.
"I had no clue," what had happened, he said.

Had his friend not put herself in harm's way, Mr. Perry said "I could have been that person (who killed someone)."

The Save-a-Life production used relevant statistics and graphic, real-world accident videos to drive home their point. The safety office is constantly looking for ways to let the base population know the hazards of drinking and driving.

"We always welcome unique events that target and reinforce DUI prevention and alcohol responsibility," Mr. Schaffer said.