DUI simulator shows Airmen dangers Published May 13, 2008 By Tyler Hemstreet Staff writer MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The national "Save A Life" Tour made its way though McChord this week in an effort to show Airmen the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol. The tour was developed to provide a state-of-the-art, interactive driving experience that simulates driving under the influence. When stepping into the simulator, drivers are sober and forced to realize the influence of alcohol on their driving skills, said tour presenter Brian Beldyga. After hearing a short briefing from the tour hosts, throughout the week each squadron rotated in and out of the interactive experience set up in Hangar 5. The seat time in the simulator behind a 180 degree view of three monitors was an eye-opening experience for several Airmen. "It was a lot harder than I thought," said Airman 1st Class Tara Creekmore, 62nd Contracting Squadron. "I'm not a very good navigator when I'm sober, but it definitely shows you that it doesn't take much to make you have tunnel vision." While navigating the roads in the simulation, drivers work their way up through levels of "sobriety" as the simulated effects of alcohol on drivers become more profound. "It definitely showed you how hard it is to multitask (behind the wheel) after you having been drinking," said Airman 1st Class Ben Jenkins, 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron. "It was pretty challenging." The message behind the briefing and the simulator experience is to stress to people the importance of stepping up when friends have had too much to drink and stopping them from getting into the car, said Mr. Beldyga, who helped design the simulator. "All we're doing is taking a split second delay and showing you the effects of it behind the wheel," he said. "We aren't inhibiting your ability to multitask (while driving), you're doing that on your own. We're not blurring your vision. There's a ton of other things that happen to you when you drink. We're doing one thing and people are having these problems (in the simulator) sober. What do you think is going to happen when people are actually intoxicated?"