The Dangers Of Drinking And Driving Put On Display
OHS students react to the simulated aftermath of a drunk driving crash.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – How do you help students become more aware of the dangers of driving while impaired?
A group of volunteers and students work together every year to help bring a demonstration of a potential result of what impaired driving can do to people and families.
Firefighters use equipment to extract victims from donated cars, while make-up and prop blood simulate injury and death.
Officers and emergency personnel treat the scene in a similar fashion to the ones they respond to when accidents happen.
A narration and dramatic music add to the event for the Oskaloosa High School senior students who are witness to the simulated event unfolding before them.
The mix of real life demonstration with dramatic re-enactment help to make a powerful statement, and the looks of sadness and tears on students faces show that a strong message has been delivered.
The program was started several years ago by former Mahaska County Deputy Don DeKock, with a similar program in Eddyville. DeKock helped to bring it to Oskaloosa, where it has now taken place for over 20 years.
“Our hope is to change behavior,” says DeKock. “The behavior to make the decision to drink and drive. If we can change one person’s decision, even if they do choose to drink and drive, that they stop and think about and make an honest decision on that choice. Then, we’ve been successful.”
“It really is about changing behaviors and making a choice not to drive after they’ve been drinking,” says DeKock.
With the emotion that is displayed as a result of the demonstration, DeKock said, “I never have been a believer in scare tactics, but I am a firm believer of providing real life. What I want to do is show people what really happens when these types of car wrecks occur. That there is a lot of devastation, and there is a lot of hurt in it that affects a lot more people than just the actual victim. It affects families and it affects friends.”
The timing of the demonstration is intentional, with graduation and seniors and the parties that come with that celebration. Those celebrations at times include alcohol. “It really is to combat those types of things and those situations where somebody may choose to drink and drive.”
Personnel from the Oskaloosa Fire Department, Mahaska Health Partnership, Bates Funeral Chapel, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office take part among others. “There’s a whole lot of people we have to say thank you to.”
