Students arriving for school Wednesday, April 22, were greeted with what appeared to be a major collision in the parking lot of the school. In reality the crash was staged to illustrate Safe Driving Day.
The simulated collision included Preston Peters and Jasmine wells who acted as students who were texting and driving resulting in a serious crash. Collaborating in the orchestration of an accident scene which was as real as possible to show students the reality of texting and driving were Cpl. Scott White of the Missouri Highway Patrol, Mike Ward and his fellow officers from the California Police Department along with Mid Mo Ambulance and California First Responders.
The exercise was made possible by $25,000 won previously by California High School through a safe driving pledge campaign called Celebrate My Drive. It was sponsored by State Farm Insurance. As part of accepting the grant CHS was required to spend 10 percent of the money ($2,500) on a safe driving program at the school. This money was used for the safe driving day held at CHS.
Pam Holt, MOL, DSN, RN, Pam Holt Productions, engaged the students in an assembly where she spoke about her experiences and encouraged students to become better drivers. A Trauma Room Nurse from Springfield, she has observed the results of many inattentive driving incidents and spoke about her experiences, encouraging students to become better drivers. She mentioned that a lot of the blame for inattentive driving is blamed on teenagers, but in reality, every group has its inattentive drivers. "Just because some one else is texting while driving, doesn't mean its alright for you," Holt said. "Take responsibility for your own actions and behavior."
Cpl. White worked all day with students in a seat belt convincer where students were students experienced the lack of control they have over their body's movement while belted in to a simulator going only five miles an hour.
At the end of the day students all received 8GB "2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel" flash drives, Safe and Sober pledge cards. All freshmen received safe driving workbooks provided by MoDOT.