Local students learn consequences of drunk and distracted driving

NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. (WTRF) — More than 300 students from two local high schools got to see firsthand what the consequences can be from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol on Friday.

A special presentation was held Friday at Magnolia High School, where students from Magnolia and Paden City High School witnessed a real-life demonstration of what a drunk driving accident looks like and how serious of a situation it can be.

Magnolia High School Senior Andrew Yeager set up the event for his community service project for the National Honor Society. He says how crucial it was to have an event like this both for the students and the first responders who get these calls all the time.

”I feel it’s very important just to spread knowledge. If nothing else, they know what happens in the future so they don’t get scared. It’s very good to see that we can work together. We didn’t only use it just for teaching the kids. We used it as a training so we knew what we could work together on. We had new dispatchers training today, too. So, it’s just all around a training situation for all of us as well.”

Andrew Yeager – Senior, Magnolia High School, Firefighter/EMT, New Martinsville FD, Middlebourne EMS

With the students’ prom happening this weekend, Yeager says the event was a great way to give them a visual reminder to think twice before getting behind the wheel.

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