Save a Life Tour Returns to Norfolk

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Stratton, Navy Public Affairs Support Element

June 15, 2010 - NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The national Save a Life Tour (SALT) returned to Naval Station Norfolk June 15 to highlight the dangers of drinking and driving.

An open casket prepped for the next victim of an alcohol-related traffic accident and life-size posters bearing grave messages about the dangers of drunk driving were on display at Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT). The high impact alcohol awareness program, with its multi-million dollar simulator and big screen TVs projecting images of real-life tragedies drove home the message that it's not okay to drink and drive.

"If I can impact just one Sailor's life today about the dangers of drinking and driving then I will have succeeded," said Andrew Tipton, senior manager of SALT.

"I was involved in an alcohol-related accident with two of my closest friends," he added. "Although I wasn't behind the wheel, I was the only survivor and it totally changed my life forever."

A simulator offered attendees an opportunity to see and feel what it's like to drive under the influence.

"The simulator is as close as it gets without truly being intoxicated," said Information Systems Technician Seaman Joseph Hill, from Indianapolis and assigned to NCTAMS LANT.

"This program is extremely important and I'm glad to be here in support," he added. "When I was 11 years old, my best friend and his family were all killed when they were hit by a drunk driver, so this definitely hits home."

According to statistics, drinking and driving causes more than 25,000 deaths each year. Young drinkers, ages 21 to 34, are responsible for more alcohol-related fatal crashes than any other age group, according to dui.lifetips.com.

The Save a Life Tour has been operating for 10 years and has begun to travel overseas, taking its message to thousands of military families throughout Europe.