Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Mock collision shows dangers of drinking and driving

May 27, 2016 | 7:54 AM

Sirens blared as ambulances, a fire truck and a police car raced into the Frontier Centre parking lot. Children watched as workers covered the deceased with sheets, arrested the drunk driver and removed an injured passenger, all while listening to an explanation of events.

This is how North Battleford citizens found out Thursday what could happen if they choose to drink and drive. WPD Ambulance North Battleford staged a mock drunk driving collision and invited the public to watch as part of EMS week.

WPD training manager Jessica Stephens said they want to both warn about the dangers of drunk driving and demonstrate how collisions are handled.

“This kind of gives people a safe opportunity to view what we do and how we work with Fire and the RCMP as well,” she said.

The actors in the demonstration were all high school students and members of Students Against Drinking and Driving.

“I think it hits home when people realize ‘this could be my kid. This could be someone I know that shouldn’t die when they’re 16; when they’re 17’ and that is what we’re seeing with drunk driving and stuff like that–anyone can die,” Stephens said.

Todd Bailey’s daughter was the actor who played the drunk driver in the demonstration. He said he wants his children to know not to drink and drive, and to be safe and conscious with their friends.

“I think they tend to see what’s on T.V. and they don’t understand the realities. It’s a good experience for them all,” he said.

Resident Kim Bishop said her son noticed the collision when they were driving by and was worried it was real, so she brought him over and explained to him could happen during a real collision. Her message for him was simple: don’t drink and drive, and wear a seatbelt.

 

Sarah.rae@jpbg.ca

@sarahjeanrae