Prom Night is a time-honored teenage tradition in America, the party that celebrates the end of high school. Before high school students set off for Prom, community members want to remind parents and students how drive safely.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics from 2001, more than a third of drivers under the age of 21 involved in an alcohol-related driving fatality died between April and June, the same time of year as prom and graduation.
Earlier this month, parents and police presented graphic illustrations of the dangers of drunk driving to Park City High School students. The Docudrama took students through an alcohol-related driving fatality, from what first responders would do to informing family members of the death.
“When a motorist decides to drink and drive, it’s a bad decision,” said Park City Police Capt. Phil Kirk. “Kids oftentimes haven’t got the life experience realize how dangerous it can be.”
The Docudrama entailed student actors portraying a group of teenagers, a driver that was drinking behind the wheel, and a mother with her daughter in a second car. Step by step, a teenager was taken away in a body bag, the driver was handcuffed and a victim taken to the hospital.
“You could almost hear a pin drop,” said Lisa Wilson, PTO parent and Docudrama Coordinator. “It’s hard on the students to watch, but we do it so nobody drinks and drives. Get a designated driver. Stay where you are. Take the keys, but don’t let anyone drink and drive.”
Patrol officers are briefed before prom night rolls around, adding patrol checks to remote areas and watching for any signs of dangerous driving.
“DUIs are a concern we have,” Kirk said. “Sometimes what we run into is kids going up to fairly remote areas for after-parties. There are gatherings in an open space or wooded area where they can get together as a group and do the things they do.”
This Saturday, Park City high school students will be heading to the Chateaux at Silver Lake for prom, driving through town to get back and forth. South Summit High School students will also celebrate prom Saturday night at the high school.
Though some students may opt to get a hotel room nearby with friends for the night, police will be keeping an eye out for those who decide to drive home or to the after-party.
“I think having a designated driver is important,” Wilson said. “Kids will drink and the important thing is for them not to drive. We need to be practical.”