Mock Crash Shows Students Dangers of Distracted Driving

The Garland Fire Department gave some students an up close, graphic look at the dangers of distracted driving just before spring break. 

Garland High School students worked with the Garland FD in a simulated drunk driving crash to remind their peers to stay safe behind the wheel this break.

First responders and student actors staged a mock wreck at the high school.

"It was really powerful, like it almost had me in tears, it was really scary," said student Nakenya Minnieweather.

Students watched as fire crews rescued these actors-- fellow students--by CareFlight helicopter to the hospital.

They also watched as actors pretending to be drunk drivers stumbled through sobriety tests.

"It hits home to them, because they're seeing people that they actually know and it makes it more real for them like this could actually happen to me," said Student Council President Chelsee Balanciere.

The Garland Fire Department has been holding the mock wreck assemblies for the past 10 yearshe cars they use in the presentations, have been involved in real car wrecks.

"Life is taken for granted like so much and we don't think about others, we just think about ourselves," said Minnieweather. "So next time like somebody thinks they want to go drink and drive, just think about like the outcome."

As tough as it is for some students to watch, organizers say it also gives them the chance to see how emergency crews respond to these crashes.

The Garland Fire Department also does mock wrecks during prom and homecoming.