With prom season here, Massachusetts State Police are warning high school students not to drink and drive, and they're bringing that message home in a very active way.
Shock is the reaction anyone would have if they witnessed a rollover accident. North Quincy High School seniors were shown first hand what it's like for people who aren't using their seat belt, urging them to stay safe on Friday's prom night.
"It definitely makes you think twice when you get in the car, to make sure you have your seat belt on," North Quincy Senior Cornelius Coch said.
For students it's a simulation, but for the troopers on the road, unsafe driving is a deadly reality they've seen one too many times.
"We had a fatal accident as a result of that one person not being buckled in, forced somebody else who was properly buckled in next to the window, partially out of the window and they were decapitated," State Police Lt. Dan Griffin said.
Now North Quincy High School hosts these demonstrations every year. In fact, they haven't had any issues during prom season with drunk driving, which is something state police wish could catch on in Massachusetts.
"We get too many, let's put it that way. We try to get the message out," Lt. Griffin said.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
Along with go-karts that have a millisecond reaction delay in the steering wheel to demonstrate drunk driving, Massachusetts state police are showing these students the importance of being sober when getting behind the wheel. The state trooper's message was simple: be safe on a night that's supposed to be filled with fun and not danger. North Quincy high school students have been warned, and it's up to them to take heed.
"Just think twice and be smart before you do something that could affect your life," Coch said.
