VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — According to the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving, someone dies every 51 minutes because of a drunk driver. In comparison, that statistic is an improvement from years ago, when someone died "every 15 minutes."
However, people can prevent each one of those deaths.
That's why first responders in Virginia Beach are bringing the "Every 15 Minutes" program to Bayside High School. The goal of the program is to teach these students the consequences of distracted or drunk driving.
Together, students and first responders are recreating a mock deadly crash, caused by a person who's drunk and texting behind the wheel.
At the start, 24 students are pulled from class by the "Grim Reaper." During it, police officers read the students' obituaries to the classes, which are written by parents.
Shortly after, students watch first responders show up to the fake crash, in front of the school.
It's an in-depth role-play with Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance flying a student to the hospital and other students participate by dressing up as the walking dead.
"It's going to be pretty intense to watch,” said junior Mia Adams. To students like her, the drama makes the project hit home.
She said she feels like the big take away is that, "it's always better to be the person that says, ‘No, I'm not going to get in the car. I'm not going to drive.'”
Master Police Officer, Jim McElligott said the drama helps students remember the lessons.
"This program can impact thousands of people at one time,” said McElligott. "I have students contact me years later and tell me, 'I appreciate what you all did.'”
First responders want students to understand consequences will affect friends, family, and first responders who arrive at those drunk driving scenes daily.
"That scene never leaves us,” said Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Management Division Chief, Bruce Nedelka.
So, this program is a way of reaching teens before the tragedy.
"If we can stop one or 10 or 15, then we are really doing our job,” he said.
The next day, students attend an assembly where they will watch a short film about the shattered dreams of four Patriots students as the result of poor decision making.