Monte Vista Students Learn About Dangers of Drunken Driving & Texting While Behind the Wheel

Monte Vista High School in conjunction with assistance from parent volunteers, local agencies including; law enforcement, emergency responders, area hospitals, and clergy presented the Every 15 Minutes program to current students and staff at Monte Vista on April 7 and 8.

Every 15 Minutes is a powerful two-day program encouraging teens to think about personal safety and the potentially tragic consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and while using cell phones.

The program stresses the importance of making mature decisions and recognizing that their actions affect others besides themselves. The program is based on a fact that every 15 minutes in the United States, someone is injured or killed in an alcohol-related collision. 

This two day program included a simulated traffic accident which took place on the Monte Vista football stadium on Monday. Students at Monte Vista were the participants in the collision, as drivers and injured passengers.

The simulation included on-site trauma triage, DUI investigation, and hospital treatment/death. Student participants attended a student retreat the night of April 7 with activities designed to show the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and/or while distracted. 

A schoolwide assembly took place on Tuesday in the Monte Vista Large Gym.

Robert Pack from the Troy and Alana Pack Foundation, and Austin Whitney an anti-drunk driving and motivational speaker delivered their powerful messages to the Monte Vista school community. 

Every 15 Minutes was made possible from PTSA funding, a federal grant, local business donations, and many hours of work from parent volunteers. 

—Information submitted by Lori Stanton, Parent Volunteer, Every 15 Minutes program at Monte Vista HS