Coalition creates mock crash, warning teens of drinking, driving dangers
by Cindy AbolePublic Relations
The tragic results and finality that follow a severe traffic accident caused by drinking, driving and non-seatbelt use struck a chord with area high school students on March 10. Students reacted to a mock automobile crash and resulting events through a public awareness program designed to educate students about good decision-making and guidance towards safe driving practices.
For Lowcountry teens, the transition from mild Lowcountry winters to pleasant springs not only brings warm weather, but the start of prom season and other activities that draw young people into combining fun with underage drinking and driving, and other actions that may lead to dangerous consequences.
MUSC Trauma Center and members of the Tri-county’s High School Injury Prevention Coalition program teamed with West Ashley High School (WAHS) to prepare high school-age drivers about the dangers of under-age drinking, alcohol-related traffic deaths and encourage safe proms, graduation and other events.
West
Ashley High School student and mock accident survivor Nick Kaiser, left,
walks through the school hallway with "ghost" Matt Hill during the ghost-out
on March 11. As depicted in the sign, Hill was the lone fatality of a mock
car crash coordinated by WAHS and Tri-county High School Injury Prevention
Coalition.
West Ashley students saw firsthand the combination of drinking, driving and its consequences. For the second consecutive year, the school and coalition participants staged a mock automobile crash to an audience of more than 400 WAHS students, other high school students and community observers. Following the mock crash was a mock trial, held March 15, which focused on the legal ramifications of the teen's actions. The driver was convicted of two counts felony driving under the influence (DUI), two counts of vehicular homicide, and a 25 year sentence.
“Lowcountry teens need to be aware of the consequences of mixing underage drinking and driving and the importance of seatbelt use,” said Debbie Couillard, R.N., MUSC trauma coordinator and member of the high school’s injury-prevention group. “This program allows us to communicate with kids and drive home our message that will hopefully save lives.”
Results from a 2002 report state that drunk driving accidents take a life every 30 minutes and injure someone every two minutes. Today, more than 41 percent of people killed in traffic accidents—estimated to be more than 35,000 Americans—have been killed in alcohol-related crashes.
Now in its second year at West Ashley, the program is united in its support from staff, students and coalition participants. The group eventually wants to bring its message to other students by establishing similar programs to all Tri-county high schools, according to Couillard.
The coalition includes representatives from Charleston County EMS, MUSC Trauma Center, Trident Area SAFE Kids, S.C. Highway Patrol, Charleston County Rescue Squad, North Charleston Police, City of Charleston Police, Charleston City Fire Department, Charleston County Coroner’s Office and the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy.
Each fall, coalition participants meet with WAHS students, conduct student seatbelt surveys and schedule school visits presenting seatbelt statistics and other related topics including DUI cases, legal issues, drug use and the consequences of bad decision-making. The group also works closely with the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter. The program concludes with an end-of-year seatbelt survey with students.
“Overall, the event went very well,” said Denise Saxton, project officer, Charleston County EMS and a member with the coalition. “We were pleased with everything from the good weather, addition of student observers, media participation, and student feedback and its impact on them. We hate to shock anyone with this portrayal , but I think we made a real impact with these students and hopefully got through to them.”
Two smashed cars were arranged at the school’s soccer field. Several students from the school’s drama club played the roles of victims and characters in this drama. Charleston County Rescue Squad demonstrated the Hurst Jaws of Life to remove pretend victims, while Charleston County EMS treated and transported injured participants.
The next day, participants joined in the ghost-out, where student crash survivors and victims roamed the school in silence wearing dark clothing and make-up. Ghosts used crutches and wore descriptive signs declaring, “I was killed/injured yesterday by a drunk driver.”
As
part of this year's outreach against drunk driving and seatbelt safety
use, WAHS art students were encouraged to create posters promoting awareness.
The activities will culminate during prom week, March 21, where the school will show a video to members of the West Ashley student body recapping the mock crash and trial events followed by a separate school assembly recognizing winners of a related poster and essay contest.
For more information, e-mail Couillard at couillard@musc.edu.
Friday, March 18, 2005
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