To warn against the effects of drinking and driving, a drunk driving simulator was recently brought to St. Edward’s University at an event put on by the St. Edward’s Health and Counseling Center. Speakers at the event also gave advice on how to prevent alcohol poisoning.

The simulator was on campus on March 7th by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. As a virtual car, the simulator was like a video game, with a chair, controller and screen, but with real life implications—it simulated the difficulties of driving under the influence.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has been using the simulator as part of its program, Watch Your BAC, where BAC stands for blood alcohol content. The program focuses on preventing alcohol poisoning and DUI’s, which both can be prevented with consideration for blood alcohol content, according to the program’s manager Bobbi Brooks. Brooks said that the symptoms and warning signs of alcohol poisoning are vomiting, seizures, irregular breathing, stupor, coma and hypothermia. If any signs are present, do not wait for them to worsen; find help immediately, Brooks said.

Every year in Texas, approximately 2,000 deaths occur from accidents related to driving while intoxicated (DWI), according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A DWI can have severe consequences, resulting in a $2,000 fine, up to six months in jail, license suspension up to one year an annual fine of $1,000 for three years in order to keep driving privileges.

It is against the law to drive with any amount of BAC for drivers under 21, according to the DMV.