WASHINGTON — Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day, Arlington County police hosted a hands-on event Saturday in Clarendon to show just how much alcohol can impair a person’s motor skills.
Police invited Clarendon Crawl attendees to their anti-drunken driving event on N. 11 Street between N. Highland and N. Garfield Street, where the street was shut down to make room for a giant beer pong game.
Participants put on goggles that simulated alcohol impairment and then attempted to throw a small basketball into trash cans 12 feet away.
“That was rough. Might as well had my eyes closed,” said Tim Brown, who was on his way to the bar crawl. He didn’t make a basket after putting on the drunken-vision goggles.
Brown said his goggles must have been equal to someone who had about nine drinks. “It’s a very good setup, eye opening,” he said.
Police encouraged bar crawl participants to sign a pledge not to drink and drive.
Brown said he would take Metro home at the end of the night.
Arlington County’s Master Police Officer Dimitrios Mastoras said police have been hosting the event yearly for the last four to five years.
He said the event aims to encourage people not to drink and drive and plan out how they will get home before they start imbibing.
Mastoras said people should take advantage of the many options available: ride share, Sober Ride or having a designated driver.
