The California Highway Patrol will conduct a simulated drunk-driving crash near Beaumont High School Wednesday as part of the Every 15 Minutes program, aimed at educating students on the consequences of driving under the influence.
The simulated crash will be staged on Brookside Avenue, just south of the school, at around 9:30 a.m. and will take approximately one hour, the CHP said. The roadway will be closed for several hours to allow for set-up and breakdown.
During the simulation, the area will have a high concentration of emergency vehicles, and the CHP emphasized to the public that the crash is not an actual emergency.
The simulation is a collaboration between the CHP, Beaumont High School and the Beaumont Police Department in an effort to highlight to students the impact that drinking and driving can have on friends, family and their community.
Every 15 Minutes is a two-day program. The first day is highlighted by the simulated crash, involving an “impaired” teenage driver and a “fatally” injured victim.
The simulation includes emergency responses from police, fire, ambulance, coroner and tow trucks. The program will conclude with a mock funeral and assembly for students on Thursday.
The program was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.