|
|
 |
Friday
March 19, 2010 Since 1922 |
SIDNE offers eye-opening experience for drivers
By Shannon Daughtry
The Baytown Sun Published February 9, 2010 Operation SIDNE — the Simulated Impaired DriviNg Experience — will give members of the media and community leaders an “eye-opening” experience, promises Baytown police officer Kenneth Hockless.
When drivers slide into the seat of the battery-powered modified go-kart used in Operation SIDNE and slip on the “fatal vision” goggles, they’ll quickly understand why impaired driving accounts for 80 percent of the traffic fatalities that occur in Baytown.
There are only seven of the SIDNE devices in the state of Texas, and the Baytown Police Department is the only law enforcement agency to own two of them. The department plans to put the vehicles to good use, said Hockless.
“Operation SIDNE has been successful in other cities and we’re really looking forward to bringing it to Baytown,” he said.
While demonstrations like Wednesday’s public event help citizens understand the prevention slogan “don’t drink and drive,” Hockless believes the most important part of the program is the educational component.
The police department plans to take Operation SIDNE into the city’s three high schools.
“We really hope to be able to teach children of all ages through this program,” he said.
Wednesday’s demonstration is co-sponsored by the Baytown Police Department and the Southeast Harris Community Coalition of the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol. For information, contact Hockless at 281-420-5841, or Coalition Coordinator Vanessa Ayala at 713-256-8746.
The Baytown Sun Published February 9, 2010 Operation SIDNE — the Simulated Impaired DriviNg Experience — will give members of the media and community leaders an “eye-opening” experience, promises Baytown police officer Kenneth Hockless.
When drivers slide into the seat of the battery-powered modified go-kart used in Operation SIDNE and slip on the “fatal vision” goggles, they’ll quickly understand why impaired driving accounts for 80 percent of the traffic fatalities that occur in Baytown.
There are only seven of the SIDNE devices in the state of Texas, and the Baytown Police Department is the only law enforcement agency to own two of them. The department plans to put the vehicles to good use, said Hockless.
“Operation SIDNE has been successful in other cities and we’re really looking forward to bringing it to Baytown,” he said.
While demonstrations like Wednesday’s public event help citizens understand the prevention slogan “don’t drink and drive,” Hockless believes the most important part of the program is the educational component.
The police department plans to take Operation SIDNE into the city’s three high schools.
“We really hope to be able to teach children of all ages through this program,” he said.
Wednesday’s demonstration is co-sponsored by the Baytown Police Department and the Southeast Harris Community Coalition of the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol. For information, contact Hockless at 281-420-5841, or Coalition Coordinator Vanessa Ayala at 713-256-8746.