IU-EMS to host mock drunk-driving scenario

Little 500 week is IU’s most popular time to party, and rather than just advising the community to not drink, IU-EMS, the University’s emergency medical team, is putting on “In An Instant,” an event that will showcase the dangers of drinking and driving, at 12 p.m. today.\n“In any large group setting, there are folks who make bad decisions,” said Dick McKaig, dean of students. \nHe added that drinking is not only dangerous in terms of driving but also in terms of sexual assault. The student body should take on a heightened sense of awareness toward alcohol use in the coming weeks, he said. \nAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13,470 deaths in 2006 resulted from drunk driving – 32 percent of all reported driving fatalities in the United States. This year IU-EMS will do its part to lower this statistic. \nIU-EMS has multiple events occurring throughout the day to encourage student involvement. Such events will include “beer goggle” golf cart driving, drunk driving simulators, free giveaways from the Army and a drunk driving scenario during which IU-EMS will have a crew of eight student volunteers who will act as if they have just been in a serious auto accident because of drunk driving. IU-EMS President Darsheet Patel said that there will possibly be a Hummer with an XBox and plasma TVs that students can use while waiting to participate in events.\n“Basically what we are trying to do is promote awareness toward drunk driving and drinking responsibly,” Patel said.\nIU-EMS will partner with other local emergency health responders, IUPD and firefighters in order to stage the reality of accidents that occur while driving under the influence. In addition, IU-EMS and the student volunteers will work with Air Evac Lifestream, a medical helicopter service, that will be flying in to assist the “accident.” The Army, the greek and dorm communities and various student groups will also work with IU-EMS to put on the event.\nThe volunteers in the scenario have been rehearsing for the event and will be expected to act as if they have just been in a real accident, meaning they will be appear bloody and disfigured with the help of a cosmetic team working to make it look as real as possible. Volunteers will begin their transformation into drunk driving victims at 7 a.m. in preparation for their 1 p.m. \nperformance. \n“Indiana University itself holds so many things in high regard and the only thing it would hold higher than the education of the students of the University is the safety of the students of the University”, said Benjamin Siebert, IU-EMS Director of Special Events.\nMcKaig said with regards to Little 500, the University wants students to have a good time but to also be safe.\n“I mean it is indeed a wonderful spring tradition, but it is also important ... to meet your academic obligations and need to be safe,” he said. \nIU-EMS will have flyers hanging up around campus for “In An Instant,” which will take place from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. today at Dunn Meadow.