One decision can change your life.
That was the message that resonated with students as they witnessed a mock collision unfold.
Whether it’s driving distracted or impaired, local emergency responders want students to think twice, because it’s not only their lives they’re changing, it’s that of everyone involved.
Parents, friends, teachers, classmates, and even first responders feel the impact of a collision like the one demonstrated at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre on Thursday, April 26.
“The decisions that are made that cause accidents like this, not only affect the person who is injured or dies, it extends into their families, their friends, their schools, and it also comes home with us as responders,” said Alicia Stone, regional deputy chief for EMS. “We’re just trying to drive home how many people are affected by this and how when we respond to these things, it’s a significant event that isn’t downplayed.”
The mock collision was demonstrated as a direct result of not only impaired, but also distracted driving, and local first responders didn’t hold anything back.
“We try to make it as real as possible. We don’t hide anything. We try to give it to them clear. Sometimes some of the reactions from them are emotional, because it’s so real and they weren’t expecting that,” expressed Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) deputy chief Jay Melvin.
After describing the collision between two vehicles, one carrying a single young adult who was driving impaired, and another carrying multiple students distracted by social media, emergency crews responded as if it were a real-life scenario.
Bonnyville RCMP were first on the scene, followed by the BRFA, ambulance, and finally, the coroner’s office.
“We put the event on as real as possible because what we show the students is the reality of what happens out on highways,” Stone described.
This year, to make it even more real, they included a hospital emergency room scene, where doctors worked vigorously to save the life of one of the few students that survived the mock collision.
Stone said, “I think that piece is important too, because it shows what happens after the accident scene. It’s not over in 30 minutes, it rarely is. After the accident, it just carries on.”
Acting Cpl. Phil Smith said for the local RCMP, it’s an opportunity to show young adults the dangers of this behaviour, especially with the legalization of marijuana expected this summer.
“It’s important for kids in the area to know how people get affected in the area and that it just shouldn’t be happening,” he noted.
Working with Bonnyville Victim Services, first responders have driven the impact of impaired and distracted driving home, hoping it resonates with the students.
The mock collision concept was inspired by an RCMP constable working at the Bonnyville detachment a few years ago.
According to Debbie Winstone, program manager of the local Victim Services Unit, the officer had transferred from a community that put on the same event.
“I think it’s really important kids realize the consequences of their actions,” Winstone said. “Hopefully if we can reach kids at this age, fingers-crossed, they will set the trend and start realizing what’s going on.”
In order to take their message one-step further, they brought in guest speaker Kevin Brooks.
Over a decade ago, Brooks was paralyzed in a drunk driving accident. He had been out partying with his friends and rather than take a cab, he got behind the wheel.
As a result of his poor decision making, Brooks was paralyzed, and one of his friends died.
He told the students he wouldn’t wish that on anyone, reflecting on how one decision changed not only his life, but so many.
Grade 10 Bonnyville Centralized High School student Kendra Moore said she felt the message was sent loud and clear.
“As a new driver, I think it makes you realize everything that could happen. You always hear your parents say that they worry about you and it doesn’t really process, but once you see it, I think that really hits home and makes you realize how your parents would be impacted and how it would affect them,” she expressed. “It just makes me think about how brutal everything would be if just for two seconds I looked at my phone while I was driving.”
Winstone said, “This shows the kids the whole picture. There are a lot of people impacted by seconds of not looking where they’re going or not paying attention. It’s not just one or two people, or just the people in the car. It’s a ripple.”
