Beer Goggle Bonanza shows first hand effects of drinking and driving

Written by Shambhu Sharan, The Shorthorn staff   

Thursday, 15 April 2010 10:21 PM

Nursing freshman Shelby Flores tries to dress a Barbie doll while wearing goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol at the Beer Goggle Bonanza on Thursday evening in the Rosedbod Theatre. (The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard)

The Rosebud Theatre was filled with reckless drivers Thursday night.

The Beer Goggle Bonanza, hosted by MavsACT, had more than 100 attendees participating in beer goggle Barbie dress-up, beer goggle bowling, a drunk driving simulation and a sobriety line. Participants wore goggles that allowed users to experience the effects of alcohol.

Nursing sophomore Denise Torres participated in the driving simulation. When she started piloting a remote-controlled car, while wearing the goggles, she said everything looked blurry. She said she couldn’t see straight.

“Don’t drink and drive because you don’t have sense of direction,” she said.

Nursing sophomore Jessica Blain tried to bowl while wearing beer goggles, the ball went far right, hitting no pins, but she said she saw everything in line.

“It shows you how you feel when you are drunk,” she said. “You think you are fine, but you are not.”

Business junior Miguel Lara attempted to walk a sobriety line with the goggles on but said his vision shifted.

“When I put the goggles on my vision shifted,” he said. “I felt like off balance when I started walking. I felt like I was going the wrong way.”

By drinking alcohol, people’s vision is impaired but also the rest of the senses are affected, if you drink too much it’s especially bad when you drive, Lara said.

Glasses containing wrecked toy cars sit on a table at the Beer Goggle Bonanza on Thursday evening in the Rosebud Theatre. (The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard)

Advertising senior Louisa Richardson said the event was educational.

“I basically learned not to drink and drive,” she said. “Drinking can mess with your senses.”

Communication sophomore Becca Ashman said the event was informative.

“Drinking and driving is never good,” she said. “My dad was killed by drink driver when I was 8 years old. I don’t hang out with people who drink and drive.”

Donielle Smith, Health Promotion and Substance Abuse coordinator, gave information about the affect of alcohol and drugs.

“It is very important for students to know how substance abuse affect their lives and campus community,” Smith said.

Another activity was the drunk Barbie game. Participants tried to put clothing on the doll while wearing beer goggles. UTA police officer Courtney Freeman said she loved the event.

“Most students don’t know what happen when they are drunk,” she said.