TxDot Stresses 'Plan While You Can,' No Drinking and Driving

SAN ANGELO, TX- Yesterday evening at Sunset Mall, 4001 Sunset Dr., the San Angelo Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) held an interactive activity to show how alcohol can impair a person’s reaction time when drinking alcohol.

An interactive game of dodge ball took place, and a Wii game console was used to keep track of the players' movements. Players also got to experience a giant screen display with an outline of their body placed onto the screen.

During the dodge ball gaem, players had to dodge snowballs being thrown at them; the only catch was, throughout the game, the reaction time of the shadow begins to slow down to resemble drinking alcohol.

Karen Threlkeld, public information officer for the San Angelo district of TxDot, explained that the game is being used to “heighten the awareness of drinking and driving and the results that those complications can have.”

She added, “It’s meant to be a fun, interactive way to show you the effects of [how] drinking affects your driving.”

Throughout the month of December, TxDot is doing a statewide tour to encourage “Plan While You Can.” 

“Every year, TxDot does an event to promote ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ type things. This is the first year for this type of event,” Threlkeld said.

David Landry, truck driver and manager of the TxDot Plan While You Can campaign, expressed that he is very passionate about drinking and driving.

He said, “I would like to see people really take the initiative and plan while they can, while they are sober. It is so much better to have that safe ride than getting behind the wheel.”

Next, the TxDot group will be on their way to Odessa to share their teachings about planning while you can.

Threlkeld explained that, last year in San Angelo, there were four crashes due to alcohol in the month of December. In Texas, there were over 100 fatalities and 200 serious crashes related to alcohol.

“We really want everyone to enjoy the holidays, and if you like to drink alcohol, make sure you have a plan, because it’s not worth your life,” Threlkeld said. “If you have a plan ahead of time, a designated driver is someone who has not had a drink, not the person who has had the least amount to drink.”

Landry concluded, “[Planning while you can] is the best and safest way to be in life. We all want to make it home for the holidays. It could save someone's life. It may not be your own, but it could be someone else’s.”

If anyone is out drinking and does not have a designated driver, soberrides.org is a site where people can look for a cab and find a way home.