What better way to teach high school students about the dangers of drunk driving than through an actual simulation of a DUI-related car accident? Throw this in with community officials and you've got a well crafted, educational event.
The students of Queen Creek High School recently got a little taste of reality when the town's fire department partnered with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to stage "Operation Prom." A Town of Queen Creek press release stated that "Operation Prom" was supposed to teach students about drunk driving accidents, just before their prom night.
In the high school's demonstration last week, students saw a mock extrication of four fictional car-accident victims. Students then got to hear firsthand accounts from people affected by drunken drivers. Portions of the legal procedures of a DUI were included in the demonstration, where the demonstration included an arrest that was followed by a fictional sentencing for the drunk driver in the demonstration.
An Arizona DUI attorney might argue that the legal procedure for the mock trial wasn't dead on, but most would agree that the simulation had the intent of teaching the students a valuable lesson: "We recognize that the pressures on young people to drink, use illicit drugs and engage in other unhealthy behaviors are strong. The use of alcohol or drugs can lead to making poor decisions, like getting behind the wheel when you are impaired," Queen Creek Fire Inspector Jon Spezzacatena said in a press release. "Our hope is that Operation Prom sends a powerful message to students about the consequences of drinking and driving."
Related Resources:
- State-by-State DUI Penalties (FindLaw)
- Underage Drinking Continues to Plague Colleges (FindLaw's KnowledgeBase)
- Contact a Phoenix DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
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