Drunk Busters Impairment Goggles: teaching a sobering lesson Published Sept. 7, 2010 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Even with all the publicity, commander's calls, and weekly shop safety briefings, yet another Team Minot member failed to follow a simple rule: Don't drink and drive! With this being said, the 5th Bomb Wing Safety Office recently acquired two pairs of impairment goggles called "Drunk Busters". These goggles can be used by commanders and supervisors as an interactive tool to demonstrate the dangers of impairment. When wearing these goggles, the person will experience what he or she is really like when drunk. The goggles will enable the wearer to test his or her ability to walk a straight line, pick up a set of keys and operate a vehicle or pass a field sobriety test. The Drunk Busters allow the user to experience the potentially deadly consequences of being intoxicated, all while he or she is sober. The goggles reduce the user's alertness and reaction time, which in turn lead to impaired depth perception and coordination. These goggles enable the user to understand how alcohol and/or drug abuse leads to poor judgment and decision making. Whether someone is at home, work, in school or participating in an athletic event, impairment can affect everything a person does. The abuse of even one source can have tragic and deadly consequences, furthering the importance of alcohol abuse prevention. If interested in using the Drunk Busters Impairment Goggles, please contact the safety office at 723-2239/2259/2618. Goggles may be checked out for a maximum of three days.