Students get a lesson on the dangers of drunk driving

Andrew Tipton says he had to learn the hard way.

"When you're there it's the worst feeling in the world," he said.

In high school Tipton lost two of his best friends to a drunk driving accident.

"I couldn't control myself, I lost everything and no one was really supportive of me at the time so it really hurt and was really hard," he recalled.

Now he's using his past to prevent others from going through the same pain.

"Almost everywhere we go, almost every day, there's one student, soldier or one teacher, somebody that will come up to me and say thank you for doing this," he said.

Tipton travels the world with the Save A Life Tour, educating high school students, soldiers and communities about the dangers of drunk driving. Thursday the tour visited Mill River Union High School.

Students tested a drunk driving simulator which acts in many ways like a real car except that an instructor can change the DUI level.

This is the first year the tour visited Rutland, made possible by several community donations, and a large donation from Vermont State troopers who came to help educate. Aside from the simulator, students tried a series of sobriety tests using drunk goggles, and while it may look funny organizers say the hands-on experience helps.

"You can talk about what it's like to be impaired but something like this really shows the kids and they get a real feel for how different it is," Principal Andy Pomeroy said.

"Underage drinking is an issue unfortunately, it's something we work on every day," said Tina Coltey of the Rutland Area Prevention Coalition.

This event comes three weeks after a fatal accident killed two Rutland area high schoolers, one attended Mill River Union his freshman year.

"It's devastating when you're young to lose someone who's a friend of yours," Pomeroy said.

The accident happened on Cold River Road March 18. Police have not confirmed if alcohol was a factor, though it was found on scene.

"It's really bad that tragedy has to open people's eyes, but people learn through consequences," Tipton said.

Tipton knows tragedy all too well. He's hoping Thursday's- tour can steer at least one student in the right direction.

If you'd like to participate in the Save A Life Tour the simulation will be set up Friday at the Diamond Run Mall in Rutland. The tour is aimed at college students but anyone in the community is welcome to attend.

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