Council considers teen driver safety education programs

The "grim reaper" stands over an accident "victim" during a mock crash at Heritage High in 2016. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A proposal for two teen driver safety programs was well received Wednesday by the Menifee City Council, which asked the Menifee Police Department to come back with more details on the cost and logistics of such programs.

In his presentation to council members, Lt. Paul Barbieri stressed the importance of adding educational programs that will get the attention of teen drivers, working through schools to accomplish this. The cooperation of local school districts would be necessary to make the programs possible.

Both programs would discuss the dangers of DUI, with special emphasis placed on distracted and reckless driving – factors that account for 75 percent of teen deaths in traffic accidents, Barbieri said.

The first program is one that may be familiar to some in the area: The “Every 15 Minutes” program. This has been presented in various forms at schools for years, including by the California Highway Patrol on local campuses in years past. The program was originally designed when statistics showed that an individual was killed every 15 minutes in an alcohol-related crash.

In the two-day event, law enforcement officials meet with students to discuss the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. During the school day, the “grim reaper” pulls a student from a classroom every 15 minutes to simulate the loss of an individual in a fatal collision. The volunteer students paint their faces white, wear dark robes and wander about the campus, not being allowed to speak to anyone or participate in activities. A funeral is planned, including family members of the volunteer students.

In addition, a mock crash is staged outside campus, with volunteers representing the injured and dead. Offending “drivers” are arrested. This program has been very effective as a teaching tool for students.

Barbieri said the cost of such a program for presentation at area schools could be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the extent of the program. He was asked to come back to the council with a more defined cost estimate.

The second program Barbieri presented was the Impact Teen Drivers program, which is a 60-minute presentation given to students in small groups. He said 10 Menifee PD officers are already trained in the program, which could be implemented right way. Current School Resource Officers would likely be among the presenters.

“It would be nice to take our future drivers and teach them these things now,” said council member Dean Deines. “It would be a great step to going down a path of greater safety.”

Barbieri will return to the council soon with updated plans for both programs.