BARRINGTON, N.S. – A two-vehicle crash has claimed the life of one person and severely injured another after the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by an impaired driver. That person is now facing a charge of impaired driving causing death, punishable by up to life in prison.
That was the scenario at a mock disaster in Oak Park on June 5, delivered by community partners to senior students (Grades 10-12) at the Barrington Municipal High School.
“We were trying to come up with a way to reach our students at the high school and get the message across about impaired driving,” said Corporal David Toope, Barrington RCMP Detachment.
Planning for the mock disaster began last winter, involving local Emergency Health Services (EHS) personnel, the Barrington Port LaTour Fire Department, Huskilson’s Funeral Home, BMHS principal Cathy Breen and MADD Canada.
The message is simple.
“Don’t drive impaired. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in that age group of 16 to 25 and alcohol or drugs are a factor in over half of those crashes so that’s kind of a staggering statistic,” said Cpl. Toope. “They are the age group that is the future of the area. We want to make sure they get the message that impaired driving is unacceptable, and it kills. It takes lives.”
Cpl. Toope said it wasn’t a coincidence the mock disaster was staged a week before prom and a few weeks before graduation.
“We really stressed to them to look after each other. It’s a small community. Look after each other to prevent it, so hopefully they’ll go along with it. I think the message got through to the students,” he said, adding when he asked students how impaired driving can be prevented, a lot of them had some good, creative responses.
“I think they are all in the right mind-set,” he said.
Cpl. Toope also let students know that that drug impaired driving holds the same penalty as an alcohol impaired charge, a fact that some were not aware of.
“Drug impairment is just as bad as alcohol impairment,” he said. “Education is the only way to get that message out. Do it now before they get themselves in a jam down the road. Don’t drive impaired and don’t let your friends drive impaired.”
