Arrive Alive educates students on the dangers of impaired driving 

Augusta University students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the risks of impaired, distracted and drunk driving during the Office of Student Wellbeing’s annual Arrive Alive event, intentionally hosted before spring break to encourage students to make smart and safe choices. The event featured campus and community partners such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Augusta University Police Department and the College Prevention Partnership. 

It included a high-tech simulator and an impact video, impairment goggles and mock traffic tickets to give students real-life scenarios. Students could also get behind the wheel of a pedal kart while wearing impairment goggles and navigating a cone-lined course.  

“A common misconception, especially when we’re younger, is that we think we’re the exception,” said Morgan Davis, director of Student Wellbeing. “People assume the consequences they hear about won’t happen to them, but impaired driving can affect anyone at any time. It’s not just dangerous for the driver, it puts everyone on the road at risk, and the impact on families and communities can last a lifetime.” 

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that of the 40,901 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2023, 12,429 (30%) were due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. With first responders witnessing the consequences firsthand, events like Arrive Alive plays a critical role in educating students and promoting safer choices, as emphasized by Justin Stowers, AUPD lieutenant. 

In addition to promoting roadway safety through events like Arrive Alive, the AUPD also conducts DUI details throughout the year to proactively stop vehicles for violations, allowing the department to speak with the driver to determine whether there is an impairment. In 2025, these efforts resulted in 56 drug and alcohol DUI cases that directly reflects the department’s work to prevent impaired driving.  

Should a student find themselves impaired, Stowers encourages them to plan ahead and use ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft. 

“Don’t drink and drive, no matter what,” Stowers said. 

Lilah Wilson, a first-year communications student, experienced the mock consequences of drunk driving after donning impairment goggles, which simulated a 0.25-plus alcohol blood content, and driving the pedal kart. Afterward, she reflected how blurry her vision became and how difficult it was to drive.  

“I’m really glad that Arrive Alive comes to campus because it’s teaching us safety first, and it also shows us what could happen if someone did drink and drive,” Wilson said. 

As a member of Alpha Chi Omega, she is firmly against peers driving while impaired and plans to continue the conversation by encouraging friends to use ride-hailing services, designate a driver and never go out alone. 

The Arrive Alive event is funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, which is renewed on a yearly basis, to expand student engagement in alcohol awareness and impaired driving prevention efforts.