In a bold move to confront the grave issue of drink driving, the Chikushino Driving School in Fukuoka, Japan recently conducted an experiment and allowed participants to try drink-driving to showcase the dangers of doing so, according to a report by Mainichi Shinbun.
They allowed participants to try their hand at driving while under the influence of alcohol, in a bid to let them truly understand the perils associated with drunk driving.
The Tragic Incident That Inspired Change
The origins of this experiment trace back to a heart-wrenching incident that took place in August 2006. A horrifying drink driving accident in the Fukuoka prefecture resulted in the tragic deaths of three innocent children, aged four, three, and one.
This devastating event shook the community to its core, leaving scars that still lingered 17 years later, on the anniversary of this grim day, August 25, 2023.
Stepping into the Shoes of Drunk Drivers
To bring the gravity of the situation to light, the Chikushino Police Department organized a unique awareness campaign. They invited local drivers to participate in a special session where they would experience firsthand the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. This experiment aimed not just to educate but also to change attitudes and behaviors towards drink driving.
The Experiment Unveiled
FBS News documented the challenges participants faced during this experiment. The test circuit comprised three challenging courses:
The Slalom Course
Participants had to navigate through a slalom course filled with obstacles, requiring them to swerve skillfully.
The S-Shaped Course
This course demanded precise handling as it featured a series of tight and tricky S-shaped turns.
The Crank Course
With even tighter turns, the crank course tested the driver’s ability to maintain control in challenging situations.
The Sober Start
The video starts with FBS reporter Yuichiro Kodama navigating the course while completely sober. He effortlessly maneuvers through the challenges, highlighting the ease of driving when sober.
The Drunk Drive
Following this, Kodama consumes one cup of beer and five highballs before taking a breathalyzer test, which detected 0.87 milligrams of alcohol per liter of breath, almost six times more than the legal drink driving limit of 0.15 milligrams in Japan.
A Drastic Difference
Kodama then attempts the course again, accompanied by a driving instructor who assesses his alertness and driving skills. However, the outcome is drastically different from his sober attempt.
On the slalom course, Kodama crashed into one of the safety cones as his car came to a screeching halt. He then failed to complete the crank course as well, crashing into the poles the lined that sides of the circuit.
He then tried to reverse his car and overshoots the vehicle onto the edge of the track, resulting in the back wheel slipping, as he struggled to keep his eyes open throughout the drive.
The instructor, after the experiment, candidly tells Kodama that his driving would have almost certainly resulted in an accident. She also notes that although he started confidently, the car’s handling became increasingly shaky as the drive continued, making it a harrowing experience for her as a passenger.
Eye-Opening Realizations
The impact of this experiment extended far beyond the driving school. According to a police spokesperson, many participants admitted to being “overconfident” in their ability to drive under the influence of alcohol. They were shocked to discover that they made more errors than they had anticipated. Others confessed that, even though they felt capable of driving after consuming alcohol, their ability to control the vehicle was significantly impaired.
Alarming Statistics
The experiment coincided with alarming statistics reported by the Fukuoka Prefectural Police. In 2022, 1,391 individuals were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). An astonishing 80.7 percent of these drivers had alcohol concentrations in their blood at or above the 0.25 mg benchmark. The data from the first half of the current year, between January and July, showed a similar trend, with 672 drivers found guilty of DUI, indicating a persistent problem.
Header images source: FBS News on YouTube