Every 15 Minutes

Riverside, Ca- The Riverside Police Department in conjunction with the California Office of Traffic Safety and Martin Luther King High School will present an “Every 15 Minutes” program on April 14 and 15, 2004 from 9:45 am – 11:30 am. The program will be held at Martin Luther King High School located at 9301 Wood Road in Riverside. This two-day program involves a simulated fatal traffic collision with a DUI driver and the aftermath of the collision. The purpose of the program is to provide an accurate picture of an alcohol related fatal collision, the results of that collision, and the effect of the collision from the perspective of all parties involved. Our hope is to show not only young people, but all who drive, the choice to drink and drive rests with those who accept the privilege and responsibility of driving in the state of California.

The Riverside Police Department will conduct an on-scene collision investigation with the assistance of the following agencies:

Riverside Fire Department        American Medical Response
Riverside Community Hospital       Riverside County Regional Medical Center

Students at Martin Luther King High School will be the participants in the collision as drivers and injured passengers. The simulation will include on scene trauma triage, DUI investigation, and hospital treatment/death. At the conclusion of the collision scene the participating students will be taken to Riverside Superior Court for the sentencing hearing of the DUI driver. Students will then begin an overnight retreat with activities designed to show the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On April 15, 2004 an assembly will be held at Martin Luther King High School at which time the living “dead” students will be reunited with their parents. The senior class will attend this assembly where a video of the previous days activities will be shown as well as several guest speakers.

Every 15 Minutes…The Choice Is Yours