Mock Car Crash Warns Against Distracted Driving

Maysville High School students got a few minutes away from the classroom Monday to get a lesson of another kind.

That lesson being to avoid distracted driving. Two local volunteer fire departments and area law enforcement agencies set up a head on collision in the school’s parking lot.

The lesson is geared toward teaching kids the dangers of distracted driving. Students Against Distracted Driving organized the mock crash, and one of the members discussed the impact she thinks it has.

“I think it should really kind of open their eyes because we saw Kailey Bennett get taken on the helicopter,” said Maysville Junior, Kori Sidwell. “I mean that was kind of scary. She was literally on the stretcher and taken out. So I think everyone should just remember this can happen to you.”

Thirty-five minutes elapsed from the initial 911 call to the time firefighters took the last passenger out of the car. Sheriff Matt Lutz said responders didn’t work as fast or as frantic as an actual accident, but he said the situation is just like what they see on the road.

“The times are off, and it’s not as hectic and chaotic, but for the most part to see them pull the stuff off the truck, to see them cut doors off, to see them put covers on patients, to see them use backboards that is all real life stuff,” said Lutz.

Lutz said while some kids may just laugh at seeing their friends act out the fake accident, even if they can impact one of them, it was worth the time. He also thanks the volunteers at Newton Township, South Zanesville, and Genesis for always helping with the mock accidents.