ACU Drunk Course

With Spring Break right around the corner, ACU hosts a series of activities to encourage their students to make smart choices.

I, Brittany Pelletz, checked in with the students and even put myself to the test.

Today was about drinking and driving.

"I've never been drunk," states one student, "but I felt like I was drunk today."

Students at ACU got a feel for what drinking and driving is like as part of a week long event called "Making Good Choices."

Peer Health Coordinator, Naomi Mimandell said, "It's a week that just encourages students to make wise, good, healthy choices, particularly over Spring Break because so many students go away and go on trips and do fun things. It can be a dangerous time, so we want to encourage them to make good choices."

Many students took a look at the obstacle course and thought it would be simple; however, after giving it a try ACU senior, Brian Escochea observed, "I missed the ducktape completely. I was all the way to the left and I still managed to hit a cone or two."

Joey Ellmore, senior at ACU stated, "I thought I could do at least semi decently at it, but it was a little bit harder than I expected."

When I first saw these students out here I thought they were just goofing around, but then I decided to put myself to the test, and quickly realized that the students were not playing around.

The goggles affected my ability to see and walk straight. Even after giving it a second try, I wound up with multiple violations for stepping on several cones.

The drunk driving statistics here in Abilene are pretty startling.

They exceed the statewide trend, as there are already 110 DWIs since the first of the year.

The Abilene Police Department anticipates that last year's total of 565 will be surpassed by over 650 by the end of this year.

As students head off to spring break, ACU is hoping that this obstacle course will serve as a reminder.