ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Airmen from the 48th Security Forces Squadron taught a driving under the influence awareness seminar during the 48th Operations Support Squadron commander’s call here, Jan. 27.

The 48th SFS led the seminar to spread the word about the dangers of DUI.

According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood is legally intoxicated and is in violation of Article 111.

“Even if you are below that limit, let's say at 0.06,” said one of the presenters, a 48th SFS Airman, “and you're pulled over for swerving or something like that, you can still be processed for Article 111 based on the factors that led to you being pulled over. Just because you're not legally intoxicated does not mean that you aren't too impaired to drive.”

In addition to presenting information and DUI statistics during the seminar, the session also included a demonstration with three off-duty volunteers at various levels of intoxication.

The volunteers were asked to complete several basic tasks to demonstrate how alcohol consumption affects fine motor skills, such as reciting sections of the alphabet, lacing up a boot and catching a tennis ball.

Lt. Col. Tara Opielowski, 48th SFS commander, said the seminar was an opportunity to partner with other squadrons and take a proactive versus reactive stance on DUI awareness.

“I feel that joint education on the subject, presented in a fun learning environment, might be better received and leave a longer-lasting impact,” she said. “We wanted to demonstrate just how easy it is to be over the legal limit. There are many people who have a beer or two and feel they are able to drive, but they might not be fit to get behind the wheel.”

The 48th SFS plans to present the DUI seminar at other upcoming commander’s calls around the wing.