University News
Mock DUI April 28
April 15, 2014
MACOMB, IL -- In 2012, the State of Illinois saw 326 traffic fatalities caused by drunk driving and more than 4,100 arrests for impaired driving [Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility]. The dangers of drunk driving will be front and center Monday, April 28 as the Western Illinois University Emergency Medical Services (WEMS), a volunteer student organization, re-creates the scene of an alcohol-related accident at its 23rd annual Mock DUI project.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. near the southwest corner of Q-Lot, near the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center on the WIU-Macomb campus. Officers from the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS), the Illinois State Police District 14 and the McDonough County Sheriff's Office Department, as well as emergency personnel from the Western Emergency Medical Services (WEMS), Macomb Fire Department and McDonough District Hospital will respond as if the accident were real. LifeFlight from Peoria is tentatively scheduled to fly in and McDonough County Coroner Eric Jameson will also respond. The vehicles have been provided by Minus Muffler of Macomb.
"Our goal is to give participants a realistic view of drunken driving and its tragic consequences," said OPS Corporal and WEMS adviser Ted Anderson. "The Mock DUI project is detailed and it is explicit. A decision to drive when impaired can change the lives of so many in a split second."
As prom time and graduation quickly approach, more than 200 students from area high schools are expected to attend to observe the situation as it unfolds. WIU faculty, staff and students, as well as community members are also welcome to attend.
For more information, contact Western's EMS Office at (309) 298-2863, OPS at (309) 298-1949 or University Relations at (309) 298-1993.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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