Students Watch Aftermath of Rollover Accident

MACON, Georgia (41 NBC/WMGT) Teenagers at Tattnall Square Academy got a wake up call when they saw the dangers of texting while driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety used a pick-up truck and dummies to simulate a rollover accident, Monday. The simulation demonstrated what can happen if drivers and passengers do not wear seat belts.

“This was a great experience to show our students the dangers of texting and driving, [as well as] driving under the influence,” said Tattnall Senior, Shawver Adams. “Hopefully none of them will ever put themselves in a situation like that where they will be in danger.”

The students watched as an infant and adult dummies were tossed from the truck during the simulated rollover.

The demonstration is part of a three day effort to educate students about protecting themselves and their passengers while driving.

Several agencies came together to sponsor the simulation for the middle Georgia students, including Children’s Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

“One of the places we are seeing students not comply with the law is in both texting and driving and not wearing their seat belt, and, today was an opportunity to educate them on what really can happen,” said the Director of GOHS, Harris Blackwood. “They see [for themselves] that someone can be ejected and if you are ejected the chances of surviving that crash are very slim.”

Tuesday, Sept. 10, the caravan is scheduled to ccontinue with stops at:

· The Children’s Hospital and Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute will host a rollover simulation at Peach County High School, 900 Campus Drive in Ft. Valley, beginning at 1:30 p.m. All high school students will attend the rollover simulation and participate in an impaired vision demonstration to learn firsthand the dangers of driving while texting or while intoxicated.

The Caravan will host a car seat and child passenger safety presentation at Byron Elementary School, 202 New Dunbar Road in Byron, beginning at 8 a.m.

· At 12:00 p.m., Byron Mayor Larry Collins and Ft. Valley Mayor John Stumbo will proclaim September 10 National Child Safety Day in Peach County at The Medical Center of Peach County, 1960 Highway 247 Connector in Byron.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the caravan is scheduled to make stops at:

· Representatives will speak to students at Stratford Academy, 6010 Peake Road in Macon, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Students at the elementary schools will learn about proper booster seat use and school bus safety while high school students participate in the rollover simulation.

· The Children’s Hospital at MCCG, in partnership with their Kohl’s Kids Safety Zone injury prevention program and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, will host a Child Passenger Safety Check from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Northway Church on 5915 Zebulon Road (next to Walmart). This is a public event, and the entire community is encouraged to attend.