Wheeling Park High School Students Learn
The Facts About Drinking and Driving

February 1, 2007

SlideShow

On Thursday afternoon, 100 students from Wheeling Park High School’s S.A.D.D. organization served as hosts of the Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program at the school. The students, who ranged from sophomores to seniors, were challenged with a variety of questions aimed at separating facts from myths in regards to driving under the influence. The program sponsors include include the West Virginia State Police, the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the Wheeling Nailers, and WTOV-TV 9.

Brendan Burke, the “Voice of the Nailers,” and WTOV’s Shelby Zarotney served as the emcees of the program. Burke and Zarotney were armed with the Booze Buster Quiz and went out into the audience searching for volunteers to answer some rather difficult questions about driving under the influence. Completing the quiz is a prerequisite to attending the program. Students who participated and answered the questions correctly were awarded a either a t-shirt or tickets to a Wheeling Nailers game. Curtiss Patrick, captain of the Wheeling Nailers, was on hand to deliver prizes to the lucky students.

Christopher Turak, an attorney with the law firm of Gold, Khourey & Turak and the program’s coordinator, encouraged the students to take advantage of today’s opportunity. “The reason we’re hear today is to educate you on the law, and to encourage you to make intelligent and safe decisions as it pertains to driving under the influence,” explained Turak. “We will be as honest as we can and try to answer any questions you may have.”

Turak and Cpl. Jason Laing, a 13-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, teamed to discuss everything from how you can get arrested for D.U.I. to what you should do once you’ve been pulled over. Laing explained, “Very simply, if you are operating anything mechanical, which means not human-powered, you can be arrested for D.U.I..” Turak went on to discuss whether a person is required to submit to a breathilyzer test, or can it be refused. “Driving is a privilege not a right,” Turak told the students. “When you sign to get your drivers licence, you are agreeing to submit to a breath test when asked. The law is called, ‘Implied Consent’ Refusing to submit to the test can lead to an automatic suspension of your drivers license,” explained Turak. Laing followed up Turak’s comments and encouraged them to take the test when asked. “Honestly, for me it’s a lot easier to convict you without the breath test. At least with the breath test you have a chance to challenge the results of the test,” said Laing.

Cpl. Laing explained how most D.U.I. arrests occur. “Believe it or not, most D.U.I. arrests start out as minor traffic violations, such as speeding, then once we smell alcohol, our attention shifts to a possible D.U.I.” Turak surprisingly selected student Reggie Toliver to participate in a mock D.U.I. arrest on stage in front of his peers. With the use of “Fatal Vision Goggles”, Tolivor was able to simulate 0.10 intoxication and was taken through a number of field sobriety tests, including the one-legged stand and heal-to-toe tests. Toliver performed poorly on each test and was placed “under arrest” by Laing at the conclusion of the simulation. Laing even pulled out a portable breath test, which Toliver passed.

Zarotney, one of the anchors of the 5 and 6 p.m. news on WTOV TV-9, shared a story with the students of how one of her friends was killed during her senior year. “What I’ve been trying to tell you (through my story), and what these folks have been telling you today is, don’t drink, but if you do, make the safe decision and don’t drive or get into a vehicle with someone who is under the influence.”

At the close of the program, student Ellen Freeman was recognized for her efforts on the Booze Buster Quiz. Freeman was presented with a t-shirt, tickets to an upcoming Wheeling Nailers game, and a game-used autographed hockey stick from the Nailers.

The Booze and Cruise, You’ll Lose program is sponsored by the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak, the West Virginia State Police, WTOV 9, and the Wheeling Nailers. For more information on the program, contact the law offices of Gold, Khourey & Turak at (304) 845-9750.