Last year in Wake County there were five teens killed while driving. Athens Drive High School held a mock crash April 19, sponsored by Health Science Academy and HOSA. This event was held to show students hands-on the risks of driving, and that driving is a privilege and not a right.
During the Mock Crash, reenactments were shown of car accidents and the damage that can be done. Some of the people in the video reenactments were innocent bystanders. Accidents do not only affect the people involved in the actual accident.
“Going to someone’s house, that’s the worst thing. You see anger, denial, disbelief and some are just heartbroken. I never want to come to someone’s house and tell them their son or daughter was killed in a wreck,” said Nathan D. White, North Carolina Highway Patrol state trooper.
The guest speakers were introduced by Taylor Carey, senior. After the guest speakers talked to all the students about their experiences with accidents and the consequences, the realistic reenactment of the mock crash took place. The students moved outside to the lacrosse fields where two cars were placed mid field. The cars were pre-crashed, and set up as if the accident had just taken place. The reenactment started off with a 911 call, followed up by the arrival of the police, EMS and the UNC helicopter.
“I feel that it was good for our school to see our own friends and classmates in a situation like the mock crash, because it makes it more realistic about how dangerous drunk driving or driving while texting can be,” said Sarah O’Riley, junior.
The students in the reenactment of the mock crash were students of Athens Drive High School. This gave the students watching the mock crash reenactment an even more realistic feeling, seeing their fellow classmates covered in fake blood sitting inside the crashed cars.
“It was scary; it felt like it was real. Being handcuffed was the part of this experience I liked the best, because it felt so realistic,” said Kaitlyn Johnson, junior.
This event was held to show the students of Athens Drive how even one simple decision can change their whole life. A text message can be the reason why someone crashes and not only hurts themselves but the people in the other car. Motor offenses and a criminal record is with a person for life.
“I feel bad for the victims when I see these accidents; I feel upset knowing that someone took that chance,” said Haywood Alexander, Raleigh Police.
Statistics say that 44 percent of accidents are alcohol related; that is the cause of almost half of all accidents. Drinking comes with a lot of consequences that can change a person’s whole life within an impulsive decision to drink.
“This type of thing, I have personal experience. A few years ago my brother had a party…decided to drive his motorcycle while drunk. I just happened to come to that accident, and I found him, my brother, dead in the road,” said Chris McGrath, UNC Trauma Care, guest speaker.
The cost of the mock crash event was a total of $30,000. This event was provided to Athens Drive for no cost though. However, it impacted the students and hopefully leads them to better decisions while driving. North Carolina has the second highest death toll in teen driving.
“If this program today can save one life, we have accomplished something,” said Sherriff Harrison.
When someone is in critical condition and help has not yet arrived, every minute counts. One false move could cause you to be paralyzed for life.
“We understand the pressure you’re under—and it might not be your fault—but you might not make it home once you get behind that wheel,” said Sherriff Donnie Harrison.
The Mock Crash was not meant to scare the students out of driving, but to make them aware of the importance of making good decisions while driving. Everyone should be aware of what the risks are when they drive, and that when they are behind the wheel they are not only aware of their own safety, but also the drivers around them. So far this year zero teens have died in Wake County from driving, and everyone hopes that it stays that way.