Crashed Car Reminds Berkley Students to be Safe During Prom Week

The shattered and crumpled car parked outside Berkley High School is a stark reminder for students during prom week that distracted driving can have devastating consequences.

The school's Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter hopes the totaled Ford Focus will inspire BHS juniors and seniors to be safe when they celebrate prom Thursday, May 16, at the Lafayette Grande Banquet Facility in Pontiac.

"The crash car is designed to send a message to students that this time of the year is exciting for students but joy should never be at the cost of their lives and the lives of others," BHS English teacher and SADD staff sponsor Tess Ferrara said.  

SADD notes the following statistics related to distracted driving – whether while impaired by the influence of drugs or alcohol or the use of cell phones – on its website.

• In 2009, 5,474 people were killed on U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved dis­tracted driving (FARS and GES).
• The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, 2009)
• Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds.
  NHTSA
• In 2007, 64 percent of young drivers in passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were not wearing a safety belt.
  NHTSA

"Our goal is to help students realize the possibilities and probabilities of their actions, Ferrara said. "Students respond strongly to visual reminders, and they have been startled by the severity of the crash car."