Good judgment, AADD help prevent DUI

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Driving under the influence affects lives -- the drivers', victims', their families', friends' and coworkers'. It may cost money, time, limb or even life. The repercussions go beyond the citation or jail time.

Military members operating or in physical control of a vehicle may be criminally prosecuted under Article 111 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice if they operate the vehicle in a wanton or reckless manner, or are drunk or impaired, or the alcohol concentration in the accused's blood or breath equals or exceeds the applicable limit. The legal limit in Italy for drivers over 21 years old on and off base is .05, while there is a zero tolerance for drivers under 21.

"Drivers may be prosecuted for DUI even if their BAC is less than the legal limit," said Capt. Stella Phillips, 31st Fighter Wing assistant staff judge advocate. "Article 111 allows for prosecution if the member is 'drunk or impaired.' Drunk means any intoxication by alcohol, which is sufficient to impair the rational and full exercise of the mental or physical faculties. Impaired means any intoxication by drugs, which is sufficient to impair the rational and full exercise of the mental or physical faculties."

Evidence such as slurred speech, unbalance, and failure to pass field sobriety tests can all be evidence that a member is drunk or impaired, and therefore, subject to prosecution under Article 111.

Captain Phillips said military members and civilians are subject to all penalties under Italian law for driving while intoxicated and driving recklessly. These penalties can include substantial jail time, loss of license and large fines ranging from 500 to 6,000 euro.

"Military members are also subject to UCMJ and therefore, may be administratively demoted, given paperwork, such as letters of counseling, admonishment or reprimand, be offered non-judicial punishment or prosecuted by a court-martial," she said. "If a military member is found guilty, the penalties can include reduction in rank, forfeitures of pay, confinement and punitive discharge."

Master Sgt. Scharalene Carroll, 31st FW ground safety manager, said she has seen her fair share of alcohol related incidents throughout her safety career.

"I don't believe people really understand about drinking alcohol and how it affects you," she said. "It lowers your inhibitions because alcohol is a depressant."

The senior NCO stressed that just one or two drinks may impact an individual's motor skills, which are crucial to driving. This includes motorists' reaction time such as their ability to step on the brakes or put on their blinkers.

"Some of the reasons why people drink and drive include bad planning, the 'I'm not drunk' attitude and the mentality that it won't happen to them," said David Sandruck, 31st Security Forces Squadron report and analysis technician.

Mr. Sandruck said to prevent DUI, people who are going to drink shouldn't drive and people who are going to drive shouldn't drink.

"Go out with a group, change designated drivers each time and hold the designated driver responsible for not drinking," he said.

One program designed to keep Airmen off the roads and provide safe transportation when their designated driver plan falls through is the Aviano Airmen Against Drunk Driving.

"AADD is extremely important because of the number of saves that we have," said Senior Airman Melissa Hill, 31st Medical Operations Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician and AADD president. "From January to April, we have 182 saves. It shows that this program is really needed. It is important that we create a culture of safe driving. We want to help people to start really thinking about their decisions."

AADD operates with a minimum of five volunteers from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night at the Refuge. Airmen of all ranks, dependents and retirees can call, without fear of repercussion, to be picked up within a 30-minute drive of base, or farther away if the driver agrees. For more information, call AADD at DSN 632-AADD (2233) or commercial 0434-30-2233.