On June 10, 2011, a mock Orange County car crash demonstrated the dangers that teen drivers face when drinking and driving. The presentation took place at Aliso Niguel High School the day before prom, so that students could see firsthand the realities of drunk driving and the injuries that can occur as a result.
The Associated Student Body worked with Friends Against Drunk Driving to organize the student assembly. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Highway Patrol also participated in the demonstration.
The assembly had over 400 students watching the stage on which student actors Gaston Perez and Aurora Claire performed. The goal of the presentation was to make the crash seem so real that when students saw their friends in the situation, it would have the most impact on them.
The drama showed the teen driver failing the sobriety test and being sent to jail. This really impacted students, as they saw how drunk driving could cause them to miss out on some of the best years of their lives.
The school decided to present this mock crash the day before prom, as prom tends to be a time when there is an increase in teen drinking. The mock crash was actually based on a drunk driving crash that occurred on prom several years ago.
The school is proud to report that there were no drunk driving crashes following this year’s prom.