A screeching roar. A sudden smack. A deafening siren. A face awash in pulsing light. A sterilized ER. A somber grave.
For nothing more than a simple message or a stupid drink.
Put it Down, Save a Life, abbreviated as PIDSAL, is a program that raises awareness about the dangers of drunk or distracted driving to MISD high school students. Administrators believe that Legacy’s program will be both fun and intense, and they hope to convey the cost and consequences of distracted driving. Assistant Principal Mr. Leonard Cousins is the campus administrator who coordinates with MISD to organize PIDSAL at Legacy.
“[Put it Down, Save a Life] is a way for us to really make our kids aware of the dangers of driving on that road while being distracted,” Mr. Cousins said. “It’s a way for us to make sure they understand their responsibility when they’re behind the wheel of a two ton vehicle. They need to understand that that vehicle can be a weapon, or it can be an asset.”
Senior Shayli Hollinger has tragic personal experience with distracted driving. She believes that the illusion of control is the most dangerous thing about driving while distracted.
“The dangers would be that you have no control over what’s surrounding you,” Hollinger said. “You may feel like you’re in control and that it’s all good, but you may not see someone cut you off or that the once green light is now red.”
Juniors and Seniors in the PIDSAL program will have the opportunity to drive small pedal vehicles through an obstacle course while wearing goggles that simulate the effects of alcohol on perception and vision. On Thursday, April 6, certain students will be “killed” in car accidents throughout the day and will be pulled from their classes to show the impact of distracted driving to their classmates. Mr Cousins hopes that this program will prevent further tragedies.
“God knows I’ve been around a while, and I’ve seen so much of this,” Mr Cousins said. “I want our kids to understands the dangers of driving, while either intoxicated or distracted. We want everybody to understand that distracted driving is dangerous.”
