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Too Realistic

With my limitations spelled out via text message, I headed off to ‘Every 15 minutes‘ at my local high school.

I recently met NBPD’s Officer Anderson, who was coordinating the event at the school. I sat in a meeting with him where kids were nominated to participate. The idea behind the event is to scare the crap out of the kids as it relates to driving under the influence. I won’t know until later this afternoon how my son reacted, but it spooked me.

I came by bike and locked it up outside the principal’s office; if I had known the simulation was so far out behind the school, I might have just rolled up. So this long walk across campus gives me a little time to clear my head. I pass by the faux tombstones with the kids’ names and pictures. This would be a good program for Halloween.

Then I spot the stadium seating, way out back behind the school. As I walk towards it a hearse pulls up and parks. Then I see the crash site — two teens have been thrown from their vehicles; it was a head-on collision and everyone involved has spent hours in makeup. It’s very realistic. Then I hear the 911 call broadcast; someone is on the scene and is calling for help. She’s hysterical as she describes the scene. I know it’s all an illusion, but the 911 operator is making it sound so life like. Sirens signal help is on the way; first to arrive are the motorcycle cops. It’s looking a little too real for me; I feel choked up. I imagine they’ve rolled up to too many situations like this. Then come the fire truck and ambulance. One girl who’s a bloddy mess is put on a stretcher and taken away; one isn’t. A boy is covered with a sheet.

That’s enough for me. I don’t want the Chief to see me crying. Why is this so scary for me? Why can’t I just file this away as ‘simulated’? Because my teen driver is sitting in the stands; it’s just a little too close to home for me.

I’m not the only one affected. There are no cat-calls, no signs of disrespect from these high schoolers. They sit riveted; staring at the sheet.

Faux tombstones

Chief Johnson and half the department are on the scene
This simulated crash was a little too realistic for me

There would be no happy ending to this tale

This Post Has One Comment

  1. This is unfortunate but a good move by the high school. The biggest thing that can be done is simply having an open relationship with your children (or your parents) about drinking. Yes, it’s high school. Yes, there will be parties that involve illegally drinking. But I was so thankful that I knew I could call my Mom, tell her I had too much to drink, and get a safe ride home than risk getting in a car with someone else (or worse, trying to finagle my way home on my own).

    That being said, don’t drink and drive your bike either! You might not be the atom bomb in a 4,000 pound car, but being a missile on a bicycle isn’t better. Hitting and killing a pedestrian with your bicycle is a real statistic. Or, perhaps you lose control, a car or truck swerves to avoid hitting you, and they kill a pedestrian. It’s just not worth it. Spend the $10 and call a cab. I say this from experience after losing a front tooth and scarring my face. Just don’t do it, it’s not worth it. Be humble – humility is a quality of sainthood.

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