Mock crashes illustrate the dangers of drunk driving

Kids and alcohol have long been, and will probably continue to be, a dangerous combination. Prom season is upon us and tragically some teens may lose their lives due to drinking and driving on prom night. One school in Louisiana is making an effort to protect teens and reduce the incidents of drunk driving.

Two high schools in the Lake Charles area recently staged mock crashes to illustrate the dangers of drunk driving. The Louisiana Safety Commission and University Medical Center participated in the mock events. Students demonstrated the consequences of their decisions to drink and drive. The demonstrations resulted in the mock death of one student and serious injury to another.

Teens see themselves as invincible and think that such a situation could never happen to them. One student in the school district where the mock crashes were staged was killed in a car crash last year, proving that it can happen to anyone. He slammed on his brakes for an unknown reason and lost control, dying in the ensuing crash. An autopsy revealed that he had been drinking.

In addition to the risk of being killed in a crash, drunk driving carries with it the risk of criminal prosecution. A teen in Louisiana who finds him or herself in legal trouble because of drunk driving should consult with a criminal defense attorney. Anyone charged with a crime in Louisiana is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. An experienced lawyer can inform the client of one’s legal rights and endeavor to see that those rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process.