COMMERCE, OK.--- Northeast Oklahoma emergency responders show Commerce and Quawpaw high school students the devastating reality of what can happen when drinking and driving by using a mock car crash scenario. Their prom is just around the corner.
"Kids are going to be kids. So, we're just trying to get the word out that you just have to be safe. You're much more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident when alcohol is involved," states Kyle Arnall, Paramedic.
Students watched intently as dozens of emergency responders worked furiously to free the trapped teens. Many took a silent vow to not drink and drive, keeping friends and family in mind.
"I just wouldn't want to put them through that," states James Morton, Quapaw Student.
"I never want to experience it firsthand. Whether it'd be me or my friends. I would never want to see that. It's horrible," states Cortney Craig, Commerce Student.
Those who participated say it put things in perspective, no matter how staged the wreck was.
"I heard a lot, but I didn't know what was going on. It was really scary," said Haley Barker, Commerce Student.
"It's never good to respond to any type of crash, especially when you have kids involved. They're just starting out their lives, getting ready to graduate high school, they're going to prom. It's always a difficult thing," says Arnall.
An average of 200 alcohol related deaths happen on Oklahoma roadways every year. Last year, more than 1,000 under 21 died from alcohol related car wrecks nationwide.
"Kids are going to be kids. So, we're just trying to get the word out that you just have to be safe. You're much more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident when alcohol is involved," states Kyle Arnall, Paramedic.
Students watched intently as dozens of emergency responders worked furiously to free the trapped teens. Many took a silent vow to not drink and drive, keeping friends and family in mind.
"I just wouldn't want to put them through that," states James Morton, Quapaw Student.
"I never want to experience it firsthand. Whether it'd be me or my friends. I would never want to see that. It's horrible," states Cortney Craig, Commerce Student.
Those who participated say it put things in perspective, no matter how staged the wreck was.
"I heard a lot, but I didn't know what was going on. It was really scary," said Haley Barker, Commerce Student.
"It's never good to respond to any type of crash, especially when you have kids involved. They're just starting out their lives, getting ready to graduate high school, they're going to prom. It's always a difficult thing," says Arnall.
An average of 200 alcohol related deaths happen on Oklahoma roadways every year. Last year, more than 1,000 under 21 died from alcohol related car wrecks nationwide.
