The shimmering sun, accompanied by a bone chilling wind set the tone for the RSO sponsored, Safe Spring Break Carnival of Safety, Tuesday. A brisk afternoon walk to the South Quad gave students a look inside all the important factors in enjoying a safe spring break, ranging from the correct use of condoms, to safe driving tips.

The Bacchus peer group, which is dedicated to making students aware of the dangers of alcohol, hosted a variety of events which allowed students to have fun while learning about spring break related safety issues.

“We are hoping to get through to a lot of students so they’ll remember, and make wise choices on spring break,” said Jessica Galloway, a sophomore speech pathology major and President of Bacchus. A car parked near the center of the quad offered students a shot at the “suitability relay,” where the participants goal is to get in and out of the car’s individual seats and seat belts in rapid succession, beginning and ending with their original seat, in order to get the best time.

Another event sponsored by Bacchus was “condom bingo” where students spell the word “condom,” in place of bingo in order to win gift certificates to local eateries around Charleston.

James Williams, police officer for the University Police Department, and Eric Davidson, assistant director for health education and promotions for Health Services, implemented a drunk driving simulation, including special goggles, a golf cart and safety-cone obstacle course.

Williams offered students information pertaining to drunk driving laws as they boarded and unboarded the golf cart.

“You would be surprised how many people don’t know the legal limit,” Williams said.

Davidson, sitting nonchalantly in the passenger seat of the golf cart said, “This is the drunk driving simulation with the fatal vision goggles.” Davidson accompanied students as they proceeded through the course, offering words of advice and warnings about the dangers of drunk driving. “Almost everyone has flunked,” Davidson said, as he prepared for the next driver. The “fatal vision” goggles simulated a .16 blood alcohol level, which is twice the legal limit of .08.

“I feel as though I’m actually intoxicated,” Bryan Sparkman, a senior zoology major, said as he wore the goggles.

Students, Neftali Droz, a sophomore undeclared major and Jennifer Pitner, a sophomore Environmental Biology major, were dressed as crash test dummies “Larry and Vince,” in order to promote safe driving during spring break.

Another concern of the Bacchus peer group is the safety of those students traveling by car to their spring break destinations, or “road tripping” as the in-step youths call it. Gentry Hawkins, of the Wal-Mart automotive department, answered students questions while he and the students looked over a car, parked in the south quad, with it’s hood open.

Hawkins said, among the most important car safety issues before a road trip are:

Know you’re car by reading the owners manual to determine the frequency of oil changes and other maintenance your car may require.

Have the proper safety equipment, including a small tool kit, and flares.

Understand you’re dashboard warning lights.

Have someone who is reputable look at you’re car if you do not feel knowledgeable enough yourself.

Mark Rusk, a junior Speech Communications major, who is planning to go to Ft. Lauderdale Florida said his car will be more than ready.

“We are getting an oil change with full fluid checks; we are even washing and waxing our car,” Rusk said.

Among several booths present at the event were the Health Awareness Campaign Committee, a division of Health Education Resource Center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Organization, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the American Chemical Society, who were adding some fun to condom awareness by putting the chill on bananas and condoms with liquid nitrogen. “The American Chemical Society wants everyone to have a cool safe spring break,” said David McMillian, a junior chemistry major as he froze a condom.

Lashon Cannon, an English and journalism major and member of Zeta Phi Beta said, “Our organization believes that you can have fun during spring break and also be safe.”

Ryan Olsen, a junior sociology major and member of the Health Awareness Campaign Committee stood above a plethora of different pamphlets, which informed students about sexually transmitted diseases along with the effects of drugs and alcohol.

“We are giving information on different diseases and drugs,” Olsen said. “And (other) stuff in case people put stuff in your drink.”

The committee also offered a quiz on spring break safety and made all participants eligible to win car accessories in a raffle.

Leslie Thomas, a sophomore psychology major and co-president of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Union, said “We are promoting safe sex over spring break.”

Free Papa John’s pizza helped to lure passing students into the quad and out among the other phases of the event.

The Safe Spring Break Carnival of Safety offered students a fun environment in making them aware of important safety issues.

Rusk said, “(Safety is) pretty important, because you always hear of people getting hurt, or running into trouble on spring break.”