Details:
Ahead of prom season, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Community Outreach Division wants to remind students of the dangers of drunk driving and the realities of what may occur during a crash involving impaired driving.The Sheriff's Office is partnering with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and community partners at Professional Towing, Tampa General Hospital and Blount and Curry Funeral Homes to put on a Mock DUI event on Friday, March 29, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Durant High School in Plant City.
Students from Durant High School will be playing the roles of vehicle drivers and passengers, simulating a number of crash incidents. In one scenario, a student in a staged DUI crash will be cut out of a crashed vehicle by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. In another, a student will be flown away from a crash scene with severe injuries by Tampa General Hospital Aeromed. In a final scenario, a student will be driven away in a hearse provided by Blount and Curry Funeral Home, giving students an eye-opening look at what could happen if they drink and get behind the wheel or ride with someone who is under the influence. Two crashed vehicles included in the exercise will be provided by Professional Towing.
"We want our Hillsborough County students to have a great time at prom, but more importantly, we want them to make it home safely at the end of the night," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Seeing this mock DUI and the reality of drinking and driving can change a young person's though process on drinking and impact their choices on prom night, and every night."
The mock DUI event will be presented to juniors and seniors on the school's football field.