HENDERSON, NV (FOX5) -
Students at a Henderson high school are learning the all too real consequences of drinking and driving with a realistic demonstration Thursday.
Henderson police is presenting a simulated car crash and the results of such incidents as part of the Every 15 Minutes program at Basic High School.
The title of the program derives from the statistic that a person dies every 15 minutes from an alcohol-related car crash.
Members of the police department, Henderson Fire Department and student volunteers from the high school are expected to take part in the dramatization.
Authorities say they hope the message sticks with the juniors and seniors expected to watch the events unfold.
"The Every 15 Minutes program lets the students participate in an experience that shows them what can happen when someone gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking," said James White, Henderson Police chief. "We want to work with the students and help them see the potential harm poor choices can have on someone's life."
On Thursday, students saw the number of aspects involved in a deadly drunken driving crash. Everything from airlifting a victim to the field sobriety test of the drunk driver are included.
On Friday, students will hear from people whose lives have been affected by drunken driving crashes. A mother who lost her daughter in such a crash will be among those speaking.
A separate assembly is planned for current freshmen and sophomores to acclimate them to the program later when they become juniors and seniors.
Henderson police has participated in the nationwide Every 15 Minutes program since 2001. More than 35,000 students have taken part in the program in Henderson, police noted.
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