Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's health education and wellness department is kicking off a year of programming to educate the university community and surrounding local areas about the dangers of impaired driving.
A $27,775 grant from the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety will help MSU facilitate public information and educational programs starting this month and continuing through September 2015. The grant is specifically designed to make people aware of the impact that alcohol and drugs play on people's ability to safely and legally operate a vehicle.
An October 30 safety fair focusing on impaired driving is among the first events. Free and open to all, the fair will take place at MSU from 10 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m. at Old Main Plaza, located at the walkway between Colvard Student Union and Perry Cafeteria, near the State Fountain Bakery. Information from campus and local law enforcement agencies, Mississippi Office of Highway Safety, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Mississippi MoToSteps Motorcycle Safety Training, and the GAIN student education prevention course will be included. The first 50 participants will receive a free t-shirt and/or Subway sandwich while supplies last. In case of rain, the event will move to the Dawg House in the Union.
Joyce Yates, MSU director of health education and wellness, said many people believe they drink responsibly, but often do not recognize the point at which they become legally intoxicated and pose a danger if they decide to operate a vehicle.
She said impaired driving refers to not only the effects of alcohol and illegal drugs, but also over-the-counter medicines that may impact driving ability in addition to prescription drug abuse.
"Something as simple as taking cough syrup can impact an individual's perception, judgment, reaction time and ability to make wise choices about driving safety," Yates said.
Yates said her office will work with Sgt. Criss Turnipseed, public affairs officer with the Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop G, to schedule educational programming throughout local areas. Yates plans to reach area high school students and the MSU campus through Greek and other student organizations and residence halls. She said organizers will conduct programming for other groups who also wish to host a program.
"The message is simple: Don't drink and drive. That's the only way to be sure," Turnipseed said about his principal point during educational programming.
"Don't play a guessing game," he added, explaining that drivers shouldn't have one or two alcoholic beverages and guess about their impairment level. He advocates that anyone who has had any amount of alcohol should use a designated driver. Turnipseed said he also emphasizes other driving safety issues such as seat belt usage and distracted driving.
Turnipseed and Yates addressed the Mayor's Youth Council in Starkville earlier this week and are looking for opportunities to speak at other venues.
To schedule an impaired driving program, contact Mady Sully, MSU health education and wellness graduate assistant, at mas1190@saffairs.msstate.edu, or call Yates at 662-325-7545.
For more information about Mississippi State, visit www.msstate.edu.