SADD makes students pay attention with the mock car crash

Prom is just around the corner. Girls and boys are running around finding the perfect date, the perfect dress. Everyone wants the perfect prom night, but it could all go wrong in a second. In a survey of teens ranging in ages 16 to 19, 41% said it was likely they or their friends would use drugs or alcohol on prom night. This statistic was given by AAA in 2014.
This year to attended prom at KO, students must sign the Prom Promise. The Prom Promise was created to keep students safe on prom night. Students must pledge not to drink or do drugs and not to drink and drive.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), sponsored by Mrs. Kraemer, held the mock car crash on Wednesday, April 26th. Students from Keystone Oaks and the neighboring high school, Seton La Salle, were all involved in putting it together. Members of the club helped act in the car crash, playing drunk teens coming home from prom.
A lot of preparation was put into the event. “I first got in contact with Mt. Lebanon police and fire department at the beginning of the year in September,” Kraemer said. Students in the SADD club only met a couple of times to prepare before the big day.
The day started off in the auditorium. Students from both schools sat and listened to a presentation given by Cpl. Michael Smakosz with the Mt. Lebanon crime prevention unit.
Once the presentation was over students from Keystone Oaks and Seton La Salle went outside to see the horrible accident unfold in front of them. Because of how much the kids drank, it resulted in many students injured and one dead. Lt. Duane Fisher narrated everything as it happened. Classmates also coming home from prom saw what happened and pulled over to call for help. First responders rushed to the scene to help the injured teens.
Junior student, Maddie Schall, described the experience as life-changing. Maddie was one of the students acting in the crash.
“It was an experience I will never forget. I was proud to be a part in helping educate my peers about drinking and driving.”
The Mt. Lebanon police and fire department, and other first responders from the three boroughs, Dormont, GreenTree, and Castle Shannon, volunteered their time and services to demonstrate what happens during a serious car crash.
Not only did the first responders take time out of their day but so did Mr. And Mrs. Wilson, the parents of the deceased student Connor Wilson. The parents show up to the scene of the crash and sobbed when they find out the news of their son. This part of the crash was the most chilling and influential. Seeing how upset and crushed they were of losing their child.
“Seeing Connor’s parents so upset made me realize I never want to do that to my parents,” junior Melina Kennelly said.
Local Greentree police officer, Ryan Bacci, told how the police try and reduce drinking and driving.
“We try and be proactive. We pull people over at night for small traffic violations to make sure no one is intoxicated.”
There are many consequences from drinking and driving. The legal alcohol level is .08%, anything higher can really affect the person’s motor skills, which makes driving harder.
Bacci said, “People who drink and drive are putting themselves and others at risk. Driving while intoxicated can affect your driving record, insurance rates, and possible fines. It's harder to get jobs, and get into college.”
Something so simple can ruin students lives. One fun night isn't worth the risk of hurting others.
There are ways to avoid drinking and driving. In our area, uber and lyft drivers are getting more and more popular. If someone is not capable of driving, calling for someone to pick up you is easier than ever before thanks to the new uber and lyft apps.
After the mock car crash was over, students at KO gathered in the auditorium to mourn the loss of the student that had passed away in the accident, Connor Wilson. Friends of Connor said a few words about their friend, and songs were sang to mourn the loss. Mrs. Kraemer also said a few words to end the day.
Students who watched, like junior Nova Crossey, described the experience, “The whole thing was really sad. It's definitely something I'm going to remember; not many schools get to see stuff like this”
At the end of the day, the one thing SADD and local police wanted the students to take away from the experience is always be safe and responsible.
“Never get in a vehicle and drive if you've had anything to drink. Don't get in a vehicle if someone else has been drinking,” Kraemer said.
“Getting behind the wheel intoxicated just isn't worth it,” Bacci said.
The lesson of the day was don't drink and drive, because the consequences could be deadly.