Do Mock Crashes Really Drive The Point Home?

This past week I had the opportunity to cover a specific type of news story. At this time of the year, you see schools and towns all across the country put on what are called mock accidents. For those of you not familiar with the concept, basically, it is a demonstration as to what happens when emergency services respond to car crashes that involve kids. I have covered many of these over the years and they all have the same basic premise.

The usual setup, a drunk driver, and another car. Two guys and two girls.

The mock accident begins with four high school students who are placed into two vehicles that are positioned as if they just were involved in a head on collision. Each student involved in the crash has a specific purpose. There is the drunk driver, his friend, a dead girl, and her friend.

Now the accident usually begins right after the collision with the drunk driver being disoriented and the remaining participants all in various positions where they cannot move. The driver is usually the only one who can move around (and usually does). The police department arrives first on the scene to assess the situation and then pages the paramedics. When assessing the situation, the officer notices that the cars cannot be opened and then pages the fire department to bring out the Jaws of Life. Additionally, the helicopter squad from Lifeflight is called in to respond to the scene as well.

The drunk driver is interviewed

The whole affair ends with an appearance by the local funeral home and a hearse to take away the dead girl. While this is happening, remarks are played that were recorded by her basically talking about how she was too young to die or be in that position. Her mother also is involved in the accident, usually crying and being hysterical as she tries to get to her now dead daughter.

The mother of the dead girl is restrained

These mock accidents all follow the same basic setup. The guy is the drunk driver. A girl is dead, and the other two are taken away in an ambulance or a helicopter. All emergency crews respond as they would in a real situation and at the end, a hearse is brought in for the dead girl. (Which I would imagine rarely happens in a real event, if ever.)

Paramedics work on the drivers

The guy is always the drunk driver, and a girl always plays the dead girl. I suppose it’s because girls tend to be more emotional (a stereotype to be sure, but logical) than guys and this emotional response helps to drive home the point. But, given how this sort of thing is all too common today, one wonders if the roles were changed, would the emotional impact have the same effect? Would it have the same effect if the drunk driver were instead texting and driving? 

I don’t know, but I would like to see what kind of a response would result from a mock accident designed this way.

Paramedics work on the drivers

I am always struck by these mock accidents, not simply because of what is showcased, but also because I get the chance to look at the students who are watching as well. What I see is a mix of both terror, humor, and, for the vast majority, stoic expression. You watch them, and you wonder if any of the students really get it.

The dead girl is covered

Over the years I have known people who were involved in situations such as this. My sophomore year saw the death of a girl who was killed by falling off an ATV. Her death shook my school to its core. There’s not much I can remember about that week as the whole of it was simply a blur. I knew this girl. I wouldn't say she was a friend, but I knew her. I mean at that age, how often does the average student actually know the person involved?  I can remember thinking then how precious life can be and how easily it can be taken away.

Lifeflight is called in

Additionally, several years ago, when I was covering an event at our county fair, there was a high school student there who brought the house down on Saturday night during the Showmen of Showmen competition with his impressions of his livestock projects. As part of this contest, the Senior Showmen winners are sent around to show other animal projects. During this, in an effort to bring a bit of levity to the night, the kids are asked to do their best impressions of their animals. This particular student was the poultry winner and you couldn't have chosen a better kid. He brought the house down with his charm, humor, and the overall way that he carried himself. The following Sunday, as he was driving home late from the fair with a friend, he fell asleep at the wheel, ran off the road, and was killed.

The dead girl is taken away in the hearse

I thought about both of these examples as I watched the mock accident this year. The focus, as it is always, is on drinking and driving. However, I think that this emphasis is a bit misplaced. To be sure, drinking and driving is something that should be prevented, but what about simply driving impaired? 

Texting and driving, falling asleep at the wheel, or looking down to change the channel on the radio? All of these can potentially lead to serious disaster, and no one is immune to it. I am guilty of multiple offenses much like anyone else. Many's the time I can remember getting in my car to go home, and getting out of my car at home, with no memory of anything that has transpired in between. This is not something that anyone should take lightly.