Docu-drama puts drunk driving into perspective

Jeromy Layman
The Mirror

Next *Tuesday, a Drury student will die in a drunk driving accident for the university's second staged drunk driving accident.

Students, faculty and staff are advised that the injuries, as well as the car accident itself is completely fake, as to not raise any sort of alarm.

The event takes place at 4 p.m. on April 14, between Belle and Turner Hall.

"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crash data has consistently shown drivers 21 to 24 years-old have the highest level of involvement in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities compared to drivers of all other ages," Ed Derr, director of counseling, said in a press release from University Communications. "This age group makes up a portion of our Drury student body ready to leave the university to begin their careers and further their lives. Involvement in a drunk driving accident would change their lives forever. This docudrama experience may help someone make a good decision not to drive after drinking."

The scene will appear as though a car full of students has run into a tree, pinning one student up against the tree and injuring the passengers of the car. The scene will be graphic, and police, fire department and St. John's will respond as though it were a real accident.

Following the docu-drama, the audience is invited to a discussion and speech from a family member of a drunk driving victim.

*April 14, 2009