Monroe Central Seniors
Encouraged To Make Safe Decisions

March 29, 2006

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The Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program visited with nearly 100 seniors at Monroe Central High School today to educate them about the “rules of the road” when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Gary Sharp, the “Voice of the Wheeling Nailers,” served as emcee of the program and assisted students with questions taken from the Booze Buster Quiz. Each student completed the quiz prior to the assembly. Attorney Christopher Turak from the Moundsville law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak and Cpl. Jason Laing, a 12-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, provided no nonsense explanations to the questions, and answered any questions the students might have concerning driving under the influence.

Turak explained to the students that you can be arrested for D.U.I. without consuming alcohol. “The law asks whether or not you are impaired,” explained Turak. “It is not drunk driving, it is driving under the influence, which means it doesn’t have to be alcohol, but can be other drugs, even prescription drugs.” Turak continued, “In addition, there is a law called permitting D.U.I., which states that if you give your keys to a person who is under the influence, you too can be charged for D.U.I. even if you are not under the influence.”

Cpl. Laing explained to students how most D.U.I arrests begin. “It’s not what you think,” said Laing. “Sure, there are people driving that are significantly over the legal limit and have a difficult time keeping their vehicle on the road, but most D.U.I. arrests occur as a result of minor traffic violations. You might have a tail light out or something similar, and we’re just pulling you over to let you know to get it fixed, then we smell alcohol or an abundance of mouth wash, then our attention shifts to a possible D.U.I..”

Cpl. Laing then took one student through the rigors of a D.U.I. arrest. With the use of fatal vision goggles, one student simulated 0.10 intoxication and was taken through a series of field sobriety tests by Laing. After failing multiple tests, Laing handcuffed the student and placed him under “arrest.”

Special guest for the program was Wheeling Nailer Bo Cheesman. Cheesman shared a story the students that seemed to hit home. “I attended 3 different high schools, bouncing around in order to play hockey, which was really tough. Because of that, I missed a lot of things, like Prom and so forth, and that was tough. However, I’ve never experienced anything more difficult than losing two friends in two separate drunk driving crashes this year,” offered Cheesman. He continued, “Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions, and we’re not here to tell you not to drink. However, I do hope you realize that the decisions you make effect more than just yourself. I hope you will remember my story and make the safe decision to not drive if you’ve been drinking.”

In 1992, Gold, Khourey & Turak created the Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program in an effort to educate the community about the legal, personal, and financial consequences of driving under the influence. Since 1978, the law firm has been committed to representing victims of alcohol-related accidents. To learn more about the Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program, visit www.gkt.com, or contact the law office of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (800) 388-2529.