ADAPT vehicle display drives home consequences of drunk driving

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention & Treatment has decided to employ visual aids to encourage people to think twice about drinking and driving.

Beginning June 28, a line of vehicles will sit on the median near the front gate as a warning to passersby of the consequences of drunk driving.

The idea for the display came from ADAPT superintendent Master Sgt. Julio Rodarte. Sergeant Rodarte's original idea involved a taxi, a police car, an ambulance and a hearse, accompanied by the sign "Which will you ride home in?" Unfortunately, even though the most provocative of these vehicles - the hearse - was available for use, both it and the taxi were removed from the display for liability reasons.

Still, with the 82nd Security Forces Squadron offering a police car, the 82nd Medical Group willing to part with an ambulance, and the 82nd Civil Engineer Squadron locating an abandoned junkyard car, the display was still possible. With the sign's message modified to say "Don't ride in one of these tonight - have a plan," ADAPT believes the message will be equally as effective.

"We hope it will get people to think and make more responsible choices, especially before the long weekend. A lot of them are going on leave, and we want them to think before they act. Ideally, this will result in no DUI's over the holiday weekend," said Staff Sgt. Pamela Troester, NCO in charge of ADAPT.

This will be the first such project Sergeant Troester or Sergeant Rodarte have worked on, but not the first time either of them has seen it. Sergeant Troester saw such a display at Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany.

"It was shocking, it made me think about my kids. I don't want to do something stupid that will have a lasting impact on them," Sergeant Troester recalled. "We hope our display will have the same effect, something that sticks with you."

The display will be on view until July 8.