Media

Shelby County High School students to experience the dangers of drinking and driving through “Operation Safe-Prom”

Release Date: April 2, 2003

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit and the Metro D.U.I. Squad have created a “virtual reality” demonstration to show high school students the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

Operation “Safe-Prom” will begin at various Shelby County Schools later this week and continue through May. This is the time of year the various high schools sponsor their proms. The program allows students the sensation of being impaired as they drive a golf cart along an obstacle course. Students wear goggles which impair their vision while they drive the carts.

“The goal of Operation Safe-Prom is to again remind students about the dangers of drinking and driving. We’re hoping we have no vehicle accidents during the prom season as a result of alcohol or other mind-altering drugs. We have been so pleased with this partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, Metro D.U.I. Squad, the Shelby County School System and many local businesses in the area,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell.

Here’s the training schedule for “Operation Safe-Prom” Classes at the Shelby County Schools:

• Bolton High - April 3, 4
• Bartlett High - April 9, 10
• Houston High - April 21, 22
• Germantown High - April 23, 24
• Millington High - April 29, 30
• Cordova High - May 7, 8

The golf cart demonstrations will be done primarily on the second day of the training. The first day students will be receiving classroom instructions about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If you are interested in covering the demonstration at any of the Shelby County high schools, please contact Mr. Mike Tebbe, in the Shelby County Schools Public Affairs Office, at 321-2502. He’ll make arrangements for your visit.