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Dangers of distracted driving highlighted in mock crash

Ponoka Secondary Campus students had a taste of reality in a mock crash on distracted driving
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Emergency services personnel walk through the steps of a mock crash at Ponoka Secondary Campus Friday morning. The event was intended to highlight the dangers of distracted driving. Included in the event were members of the Ponoka RCMP and Integrated Traffic Unit, Ponoka Victim Services, Ponoka County East District Fire Department, YIELD (The Youth Initiatives and Education in Lifestyles and Driving Association), Ponoka Guardian Ambulance, and Ponoka Funeral Home. Photos courtesy of the Ponoka County East District Fire Department

A mock crash exercise at Ponoka Secondary Campus left a sobering message about the dangers of distracted driving.

The dramatic event was held Friday morning at the campus with members from all of the emergency agencies that would handle a situation of this nature taking part.

These mock crashes send a strong message to youths.

“It is meant to bring awareness for the students getting their learner’s (licence) and some who are close to getting their licence,” explained Brittany Sande, executive director of Ponoka Victim Services in an email.

“The objective behind today’s mock crash was texting and driving, (which ends up) killing one of the students.” said, Sande, adding that student actors took on the part as victims and those involved in the crash.

Another issue the mock crash highlights is just how many people and agencies become involved when an accident occurs.

The scene opens with the people involved right after the “collision” occurs. From here, first responders assess the situation, which involved one of the victims dying at the scene and the coroner having to be called.

“One student was (extricated from) the trapped car he was in, one walked away with no injuries, and one was pronounced dead on scene,” explained Sande.

After the mock crash students split up into groups and met with each different agency.

“If the kids took anything away from today we hope they realize how one simple text can end a life, and just how it effects the front line workers,” said Sande.

The Ponoka RCMP and Integrated Traffic Unit, Ponoka Victim Services, Ponoka County East District Fire Department, YIELD (The Youth Initiatives and Education in Lifestyles and Driving Association), Ponoka Guardian Ambulance, and Ponoka Funeral Home assisted in the mock crash.

Sande also thanked the Town of Ponoka for its assistance in moving bleachers for students.

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RCMP, firefighters and the Ponoka Funeral Home took part in the mock crash, which included the mock death of a driver along with injuries.
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Members of the Ponoka County East District Fire Department work on a mock extrication during a mock crash at Ponoka Secondary Campus.