WARNING: This story includes details and visuals that some may find distressing.
As another year of 鈥淣ew鈥� drivers get ready for the summer driving, the North Vancouver RCMP is offering a cautionary tale.
On Friday (May 26), RCMP in partnership with the North Vancouver school district, B.C. Emergency Health Services, fire crews and ICBC demonstrated a mock crash to students outside of Handsworth Secondary School. Student actors from the school took part, playing victims and witnesses.
The scene, which was 鈥渇atal,鈥� involved two cars with 鈥楴鈥� stickers, with a Tesla having T-boned a Honda Civic. Each car had multiple occupants, with varying injuries and at least one fatality.
From there, Cpl. Paulo Arreaga narrated to the students watching what was going on. A 鈥渨itness鈥� called 911, fire crews and ambulances arrived on scene.
鈥淎ll of us prepped for this, in order to showcase in a safe scenario to students, of what a collision might look like and the dangers and risks associated it,鈥� he explained. 鈥淲e had people taken away in ambulances. Some people were unresponsive. We had witnesses who were distraught. We had a parent come in, yelling, 鈥榦h my gosh, my child.鈥欌��
Arreaga said the hope was that the students would take it seriously.
鈥淲hether it be distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving 鈥� especially now that grad season is coming up and summer is coming, we have more people driving around.鈥�
Be aware of your surroundings, how many people you have in the car, and follow the rules of the road, he said.
鈥淭his is worst-case scenario. We never ever ever want to see.鈥�
Brooklyn Joly, who played the at-fault driver, said being part of the mock crash really motivated her as a New driver to really pay attention.
Student actor Elina Niky, who portrayed a passenger of the at-fault driver, said she now realizes more of the dangers of driving.
鈥淚鈥檓 really realizing now this is real life. An accident can happen in a second and someone鈥檚 life can be taken in just a moment.鈥�
READ MORE: One dead after 2-vehicle crash in Surrey at Pattullo Bridge construction zone
READ MORE: Motorcycle clocked at almost double the speed limit on Coquihalla
@laurenpcollins1
lauren.collins@blackpress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
