Holloman Airman learn how to be street smart

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE-- --  Members of Team Holloman attended the Stay Alive From Education (S.A.F.E) Street Smart briefing Dec. 1 and 2. 

The briefing was given by various safety officials on alcohol and safety awareness when operating your vehicles. 

"These things we teach save lives. So many deaths can be prevented by just doing something as simple as wearing a seatbelt," said Scott McIntyre, firefighter from Orlando, Fla. 

S.A.F.E is given to people across the country to talk about how drugs and alcohol affect judgment on the road and how that leads to more auto accidents and vehicular deaths across the country. Officials also stressed the wear of seat belts and showed photos of some accidents they've seen as a result of not wearing one and how it affects the outcome of the situation. 

"It was very captivating that they did not hold back or tone down the graphic nature of what they do," said Senior Airman Jamel James, 49th Force Support Squadron. "It was put in your face exactly what happens and the end results. If I were a drinker, it honestly would have made me stop."

Another issue they stressed was the effects of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, this is a major problem in not only the military, but nationwide. 

All 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico now apply two statutory offenses to driving under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI).

 The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08 percent or higher. Since 2002, it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08 percent or higher. 

Out of a national number of 15, 829 alcohol related driving fatalities, New Mexico accounted for 155 of those, placing the state 32nd on the list. Young Airmen ages 18 to 25 accounted for 70 percent of Air Force fatalities and alcohol was involved in 40 percent of those driving mishaps. 

The briefers went over the process of how they deal with trauma patients, as well as the penalties of driving under the influence and the legal implications that applies for driving under the influence in the state of New Mexico. 

The Air Force policy on drinking is 0-0-1-3. It stands for 0 drinks if you are under 21, 0 DUIs, a maximum of 1 drink per hour and a maximum of 3 drinks in one night. 

For more information about driving under the influence or the S.A.F.E program, go to www.safeprogram.com