Miss AZ visits base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A bad choice and a car accident took the life of her friend, which began her quest to prevent others from making the same mistakes. 

Nicole Turner, Miss Arizona, began a program to enhance driving safety and awareness called "To Drive with Care." 

When Miss Arizona was preparing to graduate high school a good friend made the wrong decision to drink and drive. 

"My friend was thrown from the car," Miss Turner said. "There were other people in the car, but he was the only one not in a seat belt." 

The accident changed her life. After the accident she tried to get the message of safe driving out to commuters and organizations. As "just Nicole Turner," her progress was slow, she said. A friend then suggested she try competing in pageants because the competitors are able to reach more people. So she entered and won Miss Teen Arizona at 18 years old. 

In October of this year she was crowned Miss Arizona, and she is now on a mission to make people aware of driving safety through her program "To Drive with Care." 

"It's so easy you don't even have to buy any special equipment," she said. "Seat belts come in all cars and all you have to do is buckle up. It's so easy." 

As part of her campaign Miss Arizona came as an invited guest to speak at the 56th Component Maintenance Squadron commander's call. 

While there, she spoke of her experiences and asked Airmen to make smart driving safety decisions. 

"The major benefit of her speaking was to have Airmen hear a different perspective on the effects of drinking and driving from a civilian verses hearing it from the military standpoint," said Senior Master Sgt. Stanley McDonald, 56th CMS first sergeant. 

Regardless of being civilian or military, Miss Arizona believes it's everyone's responsibility to be a safe driver. 

"It's our duty to drive with care," Miss Turner said. "We have been given the privilege of driving a four thousand pound weapon, if you will, and one careless act can not only injure you but end your life." 

Since becoming Miss Arizona she has made public service announcements and done countless interviews to share her message of safe driving. She has promoted her program to students and to other audiences.