Crime & Safety
Drink, Drive, Die. Demo Gets Teens' Attention
"Every 15 Minutes," an impaired driving awareness program, simulates a crash scene at Mira Costa High to demonstrate firsthand the life-changing effects of drinking while driving.
Several students lay bloodied and dead on a Mira Costa High School field, the tragic consequence of drunk driving – or so it appeared.
The emotionally-charged scene was part of "Every 15 Minutes," a two-day program simulating the real-life effects of impaired driving. The program's name is derived from its signature exercise: Every 15 minutes, the Grim Reaper (played by a police sergeant) retrieves a student from class, whereupon the student returns shortly afterward as the "living dead."
Manhattan Beach's police and fire departments, the school district and Mira Costa People Attaining Complete Equality Club (PACE) participated in Thursday's staged accident. The realism with blood, sirens and dramatic rescue attempts shows students firsthand the dangers of drunk driving.
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"It is our hope that this will take hold in their minds and in their memories, and really help them think about making the right decisions in the future," said Rocky Wilson, the event's coordinator.
