WHAT: Whittier Union High School District’s Pioneer High School will host an “Every 15 Minutes” program, a two-day event featuring a simulated car crash, rescue efforts and the dramatized deaths of students. The program will also consists of a mock funeral that aims to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
WHEN: 11 a.m., Monday, April 3 | 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 4
WHERE: Pioneer High School
10800 Benavon St., Whittier
DETAILS: The program will begin with a simulated live-action auto crash in front of Pioneer High on Monday, April 3, along with a pre-recorded 911 call which activates an emergency response by local law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and the coroner. The staged crash will involve students who are classified as “critically and fatally wounded” and transported via ambulance to a local hospital, as well as an “injured” student, who is then arrested for drunk driving. Throughout the day, individual students are pulled from class to provide a visual of the statistic that every 15 minutes someone dies from an alcohol related traffic collision. Students will then return to class but avoid interaction with their peers, further emphasizing that they are no longer part of the community.
The students then participate in an overnight retreat where they hear from people involved in or affected by drunk driving crashes. The program concludes with a mock funeral school assembly on Tuesday, April 4, featuring a video of the previous day’s event and excerpts from students.
“Every 15 Minutes” is a national campaign which focuses on high school juniors and seniors and aims to challenge students to think about the dangers of drunken driving. The campaign also encourages students to think about the impact that their decisions can have on their family, friends and community.