York County Sheriff’s Office participates in National Safety Council “holiday wet lab”

OMAHA – The York County Sheriff’s Office recently participated in a “holiday wet lab,” an event provided by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Safety Council and AAA Nebraska. 

​This was an “educational, hands-on training with a serious mission and real impact,” YSO officials said. “Law enforcement officers from across Nebraska and Iowa were invited to participate in the event, including Sgt. Taylor Samek from the YSO.”
In this controlled environment, eight community volunteers (all over the age of 32) safely consumed a measured amount of alcohol under strict supervision. They never drove and were provided safe transportation home. Law enforcement officers then observed and practiced standardized field sobriety tests to better recognize real-world signs of impairment – such as balance issues, coordination challenges and involuntary eye movements.
The participants also drove a course on a driving simulator to see how their driving was impacted post-alcohol consumption.
As Sgt. Samek points out, “every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes, that’s one life every 39 minutes. And this is 100% preventable. The holiday wet lab gives attendees a firsthand look at how alcohol impacts judgment, reaction time and motor skills, reinforcing one clear message – impaired driving puts lives at risk. Plan ahead this holiday season and every day. Choose a sober ride. Lives depend on it.”