On Thursday, Nov. 16 senior students at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School attended a simulation drill involving a car crash staged on Happel Court, located to the right side of the building.
This simulation was organized by the Scotch Plains and Fanwood Police Departments and Emergency Personnel, the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club, the Municipal Alliance Committee and the PTA Chemical Dependency Committee.
It took place seven times throughout the school day and students were sent outside in groups based on their last names. The residents of Happel Court were all notified of the simulation so the noise did not cause panic.
The purpose of the simulation was to make students aware of the dangers and the potential loss of life or injury as a result of distracted driving or when under the influence. Members of SADD elected willing students and teachers to participate in the reenactment of the car crash.
“We wanted the students and especially young drivers to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving and the importance of having trust in the person who’s driving you,” SADD Public Relations Chair Connor Mantulonis told The Fanscotian. “You can always go about this safely and reach out [to trusted friends and family] if you need a ride.”
The simulation began when students walked outside and saw a red car crashed into a tree, with two passengers still inside the vehicle. Beside this, there was a biker lying unconscious next to a run-over bike.
Seconds later, the police arrived at the scene, followed by firetruck and lastly the EMS. The first responders performed their responsibilities at the scene, demonstrating the steps taken at a real car crash.
“You can tell people not to drink and drive all you want, but what is really going to make an impact is seeing the effects that it can have not only on you, but on the general population and citizens around you,” Emergency Medical Technician Rebecca Wofsy said. “We put on this simulation to give perspective to show and not just tell how dangerous [drunk driving] can be and how innocent people can get hurt by your actions.”
The police officers concluded the simulation by speaking on the importance of safely getting a ride home from parties and other environments where there is drinking.
“Anything can happen in a split second and in every car crash and accident I have responded to, everyone says that it happens so fast,” Wofsy said. “Even if you are taking your eyes off the road for one second or being intoxicated for just a little bit, it’s going to affect you, and you have no way of knowing that.”
