College helps highlight traffic safety during Halloween initiative

Timed to National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, as well as to potentially rambunctious Halloween celebrations, Penn College recently hosted an event to combat impaired driving and walking. Students and employees had the opportunity to operate driving simulators, try out "beer goggles," and participate in other activities to raise their familiarity with the dangers of compromised driving. Participants could also sign a banner, pledging not to drive under the influence.



"According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1,519 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, each year," said Calli R. Ackels, wellness education coordinator. "Additionally, over 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. It is our hope that, by educating our students through this event, they are better prepared to make good choices and respond to incidents appropriately."

The college's partners in the event were the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Highway Safety Network, Geisinger Jersey Shore, UPMC Williamsport, West Branch Drug & Alcohol, the PA DUI Association, and the Lycoming County DUI Task Force.
Photos by Frank T. Kocsis III, student photographer