MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Simulator is made more fun with a race car exterior. Advertisement

One of the Nye Communities Coalition's (NCC) goals is to reduce the number of youth driving under the influence and alcohol-related deaths.

In order to achieve this, the NCC applied for and received a state grant in the amount of $80,000 to purchase an educational DUI simulator.

This state-of-the-art portable simulator (purchased from the Join Together Northern Nevada Coalition) has an adjustable seat, surround sound for crash and speed and associated computer technology. The NCC staff built a likeness of a race car to make the simulator more fun.

The rest of the funds will be used to maintain the equipment and ensure the software is always current (existing software costs as much as $23,000), as well as transportation costs.

Other uses include preparation and printing of educational information and the purchase of day and night vision goggles to provide alternative forms of simulation. The purchase of a trailer to transport the simulator to different areas also came from grant funds.

The NCC also hopes to add lab courses to existing curriculums at both Great Basin College and the Nye County School District.

They also plan to partner with the Nye County Juvenile Justice Program and the Highway Patrol (who provided the simulator since they weren't using it). The simulator will be taken to areas such as Round Mountain, Tonopah, Beatty and elsewhere.

The NCC will be participating in area health fairs as well as school activities; the JROTC will also be involved.

The plan is to visit 10 communities and educate 480 students a year, with the ultimate goal being to reduce the number of DUIs among youths.

In 2007 Nye County ranked fourth in the overall number of state traffic fatalities. Where alcohol-related fatalities as a percentage of total traffic fatalities are considered, Nye County ranks first.

With the continued growth of the county, in particular the Pahrump Valley, it is likely that the numbers will climb.

In 2006, there were 147 DUIs with 16 crashes, resulting in three individuals being charged with manslaughter.

The Nevada Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA) identified alcohol-related traffic injuries and deaths (ages 16-24) as the number one substance-use consequence within the state. In 2007, there were 12 fatalities, with five being alcohol related (41 percent).

The use of the simulator might eliminate these occurrences among youth and young adults.

The simulator evaluates users based on age, body size, sex (male, female), weight and blood-alcohol content. Students will be given a printout of how many times they left the roadway as well as their accomplishments. The other students, when not being tested, will observe and discuss the actions as they occur.

There will be tests to give as well as receive feedback on how the simulator provided knowledge and possible changes in attitudes and behavior.

As a true learning experience, youths will be encouraged to develop new ideas for reducing the number of DUIs by determining what will or won't work. Their knowledge of other youth attitudes is a highly valuable aspect for success in NCC goals.

By identifying all the risks of DUIs the students will be able to make informed decisions when faced with the temptation to drink and drive. Ultimately, it is their decision.

The point is that DUI accidents are not accidents, they are accidents caused by bad decisions.

Results of the NCC's "Data Assessment Tool" in 2008 (accumulated from valley residents a well as others) indicated the number one cause affecting drinking and driving behavior in Pahrump and surrounding areas is the false perception of risk and harm.

One of these perceptions is that alcohol use among youths is a right of passage to adulthood. This attitude is perpetuated in most cases by family members who participated in this type of activity.

Since these perceptions are changeable, it is hoped to deter the incidence of alcohol-related traffic accidents, injuries and deaths.

If you would like to have this valuable tool made available to an organizational event, or would just like more information, contact Loyd Platson at 775-727-9970.