Fatal Distraction Simulation at Ottumwa High School

The crash scene seemed real. Sirens, smoke, emergency personnel, and students being removed from smashed cars and taken away by ambulance. The event ended with students hearing about legal ramifications based on their decision-making from our county attorney.

The morning’s activities were all part of a motor vehicle accident demonstration drill hosted by several Ottumwa organizations. Ottumwa High School juniors and seniors participated in a program entitled Distracted/Impaired Driving: Know the Consequences. The program focused on making teen drivers aware of the consequences that come from driving distracted or impaired. This includes drinking, texting, vaping, or any other type of distraction while operating a motor vehicle. 

More than 10 community organizations collaborated on planning this event, including the Ottumwa Police Department, Wapello County Sheriff’s Department, Indian Hills Paramedic Program, Wapello County Emergency Management, Ottumwa Fire Department, Wapello County Attorney, Deran’s Towing, and local media partners. The live simulation was designed to help students understand that their actions could have grave consequences. Programs such as this are available across the country but community members decided to pool their resources and create their own program for Ottumwa youth. 

Students were released for the drill this morning, with a mock accident scene in progress when they arrived near the new tennis courts. The drill included a graphic, real-life scene of a motor vehicle accident with injuries and a mock-fatality. After students witnessed the aftermath of the mock accident, they returned to the OHS auditorium to hear from the Wapello County Attorney. Ottumwa High School counselors were available to students throughout the drill. They will continue to check in with students as needed.