Kimberly is a Psychology major at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Tell us why you’ve been active in preventing impaired driving with UDS, another organization, or on your own.
“Because it should be something that everyone is concerned about. Although I don’t know personally know anyone who has been hurt or died from a crash that involved drinking and driving, it is definitely something that can be completely preventable. It’s unfortunate to hear those stories and I feel that many people believe that it is okay, or they drive better, or nothing has happened to them when they have driven drunk, so it’s not that dangerous.
I am part of an organization on campus that promotes safe drinking practices as well as other healthy behaviors, but the reason I am involved with both the organization and U in the Driver seat is because I truly care about people and the effects of others.”
Tell us what you have learned about being a DUDE or helping others be a DUDE.
“The greatest thing I have learned is to not pass judgement onto others when it comes to helping others about the DUDE. The best way is to emphasize caring about one another because being a DUDE is both being a hero and standing up for what is right. Also the best way to deliver the message is to express how being the DUDE will not limit the amount of fun you have if anything some of the positive effects of not drinking is remembering the night, being able to make good decisions and being able to enjoy yourself at in your normal state.
So the way I express why I do this, is to say, “I care about your future and well being, and you should too!” That way people feel like they are not being judged about things, the best thing to do is create an environment of love.”
Tell us about a specific instance where you stepped in as a DUDE.
“I went to the beach with my family and we all drove separate cars, me and my older brother came together and his wife came later with her car. He brought beer and was drinking casually that whole day, then he really started drinking later on and was way too intoxicated to drive. It was getting late and we had to leave and I was pretty tired so my sister in law was going to leave and so was I, but I realized he’d have to drive home, so I offered to drive home for him!”
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