Students warned about dangers of drinking and driving

By BECKY PIEDEL

Date published: 5/26/2004

Drinking and driving is a choice, not an accident.

Just ask Jason Barber.

Barber was 23 when he chose to race his Ford pickup truck after he and four friends shared two cases of beer.

The result: Barber wrecked his truck at speeds of more than 90 mph, killing his 15-year-old brother, Aaron.

Yesterday, Barber shared his story with 600 to 700 juniors and seniors at Massaponax High School in an effort to make them aware of the painful consequences of driving under the influence.

"When you choose to drink and drive, you roll the dice," Barber told students. "You gamble with your life every time. I was old enough to make the choice, but I was not mature enough to make the right choice."

Fredericksburg-area teenagers have also experienced several deaths in recent years from drinking drivers.

Barber's talk is timely: The Massaponax High School prom is June 5.

According to statewide figures accumulated by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 45 teens died in alcohol-related car crashes in 2002. Those fatalities comprised nearly 5 percent of the state's total number of traffic deaths. The statistics also show that an additional 1,095 teens were injured in alcohol-related crashes--nearly 2 percent of the total.

Following his accident in 1991, Barber was charged with vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison. He was released after serving just under four years in a California prison.

Now, Barber is one of eight speakers who travel across the country speaking to high school and college students as a part of the Anheuser-Busch Consumer Awareness and Education Program.

As Barber spoke yesterday, some Massaponax students seemed tearful as he discussed details of the day of the crash and the injuries suffered by his brother.

Several students approached Barber afterward to thank him for coming, while others asked for a copy of the program's personal contract, which is a promise between the student and his or her parents to practice responsible drinking.

Massaponax was one of four high schools Barber will be visiting this week. He also spoke at Courtland High School yesterday and will be at Spotsylvania and Chancellor high schools tomorrow.

Whether the students comprehend Barber's message and choose to follow the rules of responsible drinking remains to be seen.

But Barber thinks it helps.

"Feedback from the Web site and from kids shows that we at least make them think," Barber said after his talk.

Officials with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, which helped sponsor the event, are optimistic that the visits to area high schools are beneficial.

"We are trying to make an impact on the under-21 gang," Lt. Eddie Peck said. "[Barber] has [the students] thinking it can happen to them, and hopefully that will have an impact on them."

To reach BECKY PIEDEL: 540/374-5000, ext. 5558

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Date published: 5/26/2004