Mock crash shows Edmonton high school students consequences of distracted driving

Grade 9 students from a south Edmonton high school got an eye-opening look at the consequences of drunk and distracted drivingTuesday.

Students from Mother Margaret Mary High Schoolwitnessed a mock scenario of a car crash, complete with firefighters, paramedics, and an actor covered in fake blood.

The demonstration was part of the Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program. About half of all Grade 9 students in Edmonton participate in this program, which aims to get youth thinking about the consequences of risky behaviour.

This program isn't about scaring them, it's about informing them and letting them make the right decisions for themselves- Alex Campbell, Edmonton EMS public education officer

"Statistically, 15 to 19 yearolds are the hardest hit with trauma and risk-related problems," said Alex Campbell, Edmonton EMS public education officer.

"This program isn't about scaring them, it's about informing them and letting them make the right decisions for themselves. Things like drive sober, don't drive distracted. Those are choices they're going to have to makein the near future."

Campbell said the demonstration shows what it's really like to be involved in a car crash, and how first responders work as a team to handle similar situations.

He said student feedback is always "overwhelmingly positive," but it's not just about the students. The first responders do it because they'd like to prevent some of the situations they see on a day-to-day basis, he said.

"These are real folks doing real jobs," Campbell said."As first responders, we all have these personal stories of respondingtocalls involving youth, andthey're always so tragic. If we can just get that message out to one or two of these students, it's all worthwhile for us."

Grade 9 student Liam Power said seeing the mock crash had him thinking about the importance of thinking about the consequences of drinking or texting while driving.

"It just sort of shows what can happen if you're not really thinking about the actions that you're doing ...and some of the consequences that can follow," he said."It really sort of goes to show how you have to think about what you're going to be doing, use your head, and go with your gut."