Mayfield students learn dangers of distracted, impaired driving through mock crash event

A simulated crash at Mayfield High School provided a realistic representation of the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.

High school juniors and seniors attended the mock crash event on April 26.

The event that was coordinated by Mayfield High School Assistant Principal Jane Perry began with a brief video production featuring student-actors texting and drinking while driving to prom.

Following the film, the students went to the Wildcat Stadium parking lot to discover that the irresponsible behavior seen in the video led to a two-vehicle staged fatal crash.

Hillcrest Hospital EMS Medical Director Dr. James Sauto narrated the event.

During prom weekend, Sauto says he sees many similar real accidents.

“We just don’t want to have that,” he said. “I’m a parent and I have teenage students myself. Texting is a big issue and we want to raise awareness that lapse of attention for just a minute can result in something like this.”

He encouraged the teens to be cautious and speak up even when they witness their peers making irresponsible decisions. Along with Sauto, other Hillcrest Hospital staff and Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights and Gates Mills fire departments assisted in the mock crash event.

Perry said it was a true community effort.

There are also numerous statewide efforts to promote safe driving during prom season and as Distracted Diving Awareness Month is coming to an end.

The Ohio Highway Patrol’s Ohio Investigative Unit is encouraging parents and students not to participate in illegal and dangerous behavior, such as providing alcohol to minors and underage drinking, according to a new release .

Prom and graduation is a memorable time in a teenager’s life,” said Capt. Gary Allen, commander of the OIU. “It is important to educate our youth while helping foster good choices. Parents and community members can do their part by understanding Ohio’s underage drinking laws.”

The release also states that there are strict penalties for underage drinking and adults providing alcohol to individuals under 21 years of age.

Anyone who purchases, sells or gives alcoholic beverages to underage individuals faces a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail. Individuals driving under 21 who are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent or higher, a level that can be reached after just one or two drinks, can be arrested. Punishment is driver license suspension for at least 90 days up to a maximum of two years and four points added to the driving record. Having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and texting and driving is also illegal.

The Ohio Investigative Unit asked that if anyone has any information about any establishment selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21 or information about an underage house party, to notify the Ohio Investigative Unit by calling #677 on a cellphone.

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