 On Thursday afternoon, the Booze and Cruise, You'll Lose program visited with nearly 100 seniors at Barnesville High School to discuss the legal, personal, financial, and criminal consequences of drinking and driving. This was the first visit to Barnesville High School for the program. Sponsors of the program are Gold, Khourey & Turak, the Wheeling Nailers, the West Virginia State Police, and WTOV TV-9.
 The program began with Ned Bowdern, "the Voice of the Nailers" and M.C. for the program, asking a variety of questions from the Booze Buster Quiz, a quiz the students completed weeks prior to the program. Bowdern would ask for volunteers, then select a student to answer a question he selected from the quiz. If the student answered the question correctly, he or she was awarded a prize, such as a t-shirt, mouse pad, water bottle, or a pair of Nailer tickets. The prizes were delivered to the students by Wheeling Nailer players T.J. Reynolds and R.J. Gates.
However, it didn't stop there. Knowing the  answer is one thing, but understanding what it means is another. Gold, Khourey & Turak attorney and program coordinator, Christopher Turak, explained in detail each issue. While most students knew they had a right to not submit to a breathalyzer, few knew the consequences. Turak explained, "When you sign your drivers license, you are agreeing to submit to a breathalyzer when pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence. This is called 'implied consent.'" Turak continued, "However, the consequence of declining to take the test is an automatic one year suspension of your license."
 Veteran West Virginia State Trooper, Jason Laing, may have provided the most memorable segments of the program. With the use of "fatal vision" goggles, senior Brianna Cook was able to simulate .10 intoxication. Trooper Laing administered a series of field sobriety tests, all of which Cook failed. "These tests aren't designed for you to fail," offered Trooper Laing. "If you haven't been drinking, you won't fail the test, it's as simple as that. In addition, the tests are only one small piece of the puzzle that I use to build a case against you,"  explained Laing.
At the conclusion of the program, Turak commended the students for their efforts on the Booze Buster Quiz and awarded senior Courtney Zonker a prize package for her efforts on the quiz. "Peer pressure would say to get in the car after drinking, or get in the car with someone who has been drinking, or maybe peer pressure would even deter someone from answering the questions on the quiz seriously," said Turak. "Courtney didn't give into that peer pressure and we hope you won't either." |
