Story by Heather Harbin and Skylar Barti.

Saugus High School hosted its “Every 15 Minutes” program over Thursday and Friday, reminding students about the dangers of intoxicated driving.

“Drinking and driving is a real problem across the whole country,” said Dana Provost, station 111 captain for Los Angeles County. “Unfortunately, we see this far too often. There have been many, many fatalities over the years in my career in working Battalion 6, which is Santa Clarita.”

The Santa Clarita Youth Grove is a reminder of lives cut short before the age of 24 as a result of traffic-related incidents.

Photo by Skylar Barti.

The two-day program focuses on high school juniors and seniors and challenges them to think about the impact their decisions have on themselves and others, according to a news release.

“Those of us who live in the Santa Clarita Valley are aware that we’ve had way too many incidents, tragic circumstances of traffic related deaths of young people,” said Mike Kuhlman, assistant superintendent of educational services at the William S. Hart Union High School District. “Anything we can do to have kids thinking about making good choices, not drinking and driving, not texting and driving, we think is worth the effort.”

A graphic demonstration of a traffic crash was was reenacted on Thursday by Saugus High School students, who played the roles of victims as well as the drunk driver.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and Los Angeles County Fire Department officials responded to the mock collision, as well as an ambulance, a coroner, members of public works, a tow truck company and a hearse.

The demonstration depicts a fatality and serious injuries to several students.

Four students were involved in the mock collision; two of them being treated on scene for their “injuries” and transported to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, one pronounced “dead” at the scene and one “drunk driver,” who was later arrested.

Photo by Skylar Barti.

“(Students) need to know that it’s real and that operating a vehicle is a responsibility, it’s not just a right when you turn 16 that you get to go do,” said Provost. “You’re responsible for that vehicle and everybody around you.”

The program concludes on Friday with an assembly for junior and senior students, where parents or siblings of drunk driving victims will speak about the impact of having to live without their loved ones, according to a news release.

“I think the most important thing is that you’re not guaranteed anything in that your life can be taken from you at any time,” said Grace Thomas, a 16-year-old junior at Saugus High School. “It can happen to anyone. People shouldn’t feel like that they’re excluded from that possibility.”

Participants will also share their experiences and lessons learned from Thursday’s event and the city of Santa Clarita’s Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kellar will share a few words as well.

Saugus High School was the first school in the William S. Hart Union High School District to implement the “Every 15 Minutes” program, said Bill Bolde, the principal at Saugus High School.

“Drinking and driving should not even be an issue ever,” Provost said. “If you even had one drink and you’re buzzed, you can get in an accident that isn’t even your fault and because there’s alcohol in your breath, is (will be) your fault. You will do time.”

The California Highway Patrol, the California Office of Traffic Safety, the city of Santa Clarita and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department work together to put on the “Every 15 Minutes” program.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.