Students Get Drunk-Driving Warning from Woodbury Public Safety

An East Ridge High School student approached Woodbury officer Scott Melander on Friday morning after the Public Safety Department put on a demonstration of what can happen in the wake of a drunk-driving crash.

“I cried,” she said.

Melander responded: “The important part is, after you walk away from it today to remember it down the road.”

The demonstration Friday morning included a head-on collision, dead students, one angry driver and a teen driver taken away in handcuffs.

Crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teenagers, and as graduation approaches, it’s important to remind young people of the dangers of drinking and driving, Melander said.

Woodbury isn’t too different from other communities when it comes to teens making poor decisions.

“The potential is always there,” Melander said. “We’re hopeful this leaves an enduring effect with these guys.”

Following the mock crash, students were set to see a video and hear from two speakers—one a drunk driving victim with a partial leg and the other the man who hit him. They have since become friends and go around talking about the dangers of drinking and driving.

The following is from a Woodbury Public Safety release.

Reality Check

“Mock crashes are a dramatic presentation to educate teenagers about the true consequences of poor driving decisions,” said Michelle Okada, Woodbury Public Safety spokeswoman. “When students see their friends and peers carried out on in body bags, and another being handcuffed, it hits home. It’s a strong message that aims to influence their driving choices, especially at such a potentially dangerous time on the road.”

Stats

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for Minnesota teenagers. In the last five years, 166 teen motorists (13-19) were killed and only 68 were buckled up. Of those 166 deaths, 65 teens killed were backseat passengers and only 27 were belted. In the last decade, 505 teen motorists were killed in Minnesota traffic crashes.

Parents’ Role

Woodbury Public Safety urges parents to talk to their teen about the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and encourage them to always buckle up to keep them safe.

Parents should also reinforce teen driving laws such as belt use, passenger limitations, nighttime driving, no cell phone use and no texting (including when stopped in traffic).

“It is so important that parents talk to their teen drivers and establish rules for the road,” Melander said. “Just because a teen has their license does not mean they are experienced, safe drivers. Parents must stay involved with a teen’s driving just as they do with their grades, athletics and other activities.”

A “teen license parent withdrawal form” is available for parents to cancel the driving privileges of their teen’s driver’s license (under age 18). Visit ots.dps.mn.gov for more information, including a driver’s skills checklist, a parent-teen contract, teen driver laws and the parent withdrawal form (click on “Teen Driving,” found under “Traffic Topics”).

Underage Drinking

The state’s “Not a Drop” law says drivers under age 21 cited for consuming any amount of alcohol will lose their license from 30 to 180 days, and face up to a $700 fine and 90 days in jail.

A citation of this nature will also stay on the driver’s record for 10 years. There are nearly 1,500 “not a drop” convictions issued each year to underage drivers. There were 2,585 underage DWIs during this same time period.

Adults need to understand the consequences of providing alcohol to minors, Melander said, even if they are not driving. Adult providers can be held responsible and suffer serious criminal, legal, and financial consequences including: felony charges and prison time in the case of death; civil liability charges in the case of injury, property damage or death; and increased insurance rates.

Minors will lose their license until age 18 when arrested for DWI or involved in an impaired driving crash or crime. A DWI offense can result in one year in jail, and cost up to $20,000 when factoring in legal fees and increased insurance rates. A DWI remains on a person’s record forever.

Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter