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Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 20:21:03 |
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COALDALE — Sue Holmes admits the smashed-up vehicle on the front lawn of Kate Andrews High School is a painful reminder of the crash that took her daughter’s life.
But the Coaldale mom consented to have the wreck displayed in the hope it will prevent a similar tragedy from happening to someone else by serving as a strong reminder to students of the dangers of drinking and driving and of not wearing a seatbelt.
“It’s very painful to see the car again that took our daughter’s life, but if it can change just one person’s outlook on their own life, then it’s worth it,” Holmes said.
Her 19-year-old daughter, Samantha Baird, died from injuries suffered in a Feb. 23 crash in which neither she nor the driver were wearing seatbelts. Police determined alcohol was a factor and the matter is still before the courts. The driver is facing charges of impaired driving causing death and driving over the legal limit.
Holmes encouraged young people to always use their seatbelts and to avoid drinking and driving or even getting into a vehicle if the driver has been drinking.
“Just phone a safe friend or, better yet, just call home,” said Holmes. “We would have gladly wanted a phone call from Sam and not the police.”
Affixed to the side of the car at the high school is a message from Holmes which reads: “Parties are supposed to be memorable . . . Try keeping this in your memory.”
Coaldale and District Emergency Services provided another visual message Thursday by staging a two-vehicle motor vehicle collision demonstration at the high school for the benefit of students ahead of the long weekend.
The demonstration involved Coaldale Chief Andy Van Rijn crashing a truck into a small car at a speed of about 50 kilometres per hour, with EMS personnel responding to the crash as they would in real life.
Asked if such a demonstration effectively conveys the intended safety message, Grade 12 student Katie McCreadie replied, “It totally does . . . and especially having Sam’s car in front of the school.”
McCreadie knew Baird, who graduated from Kate Andrews two years ago, and said sometimes people don’t always think about the potential for trouble, particularly when alcohol is involved.
“Hopefully this will save lives,” she added.
Craig Ohlhauser, another Grade 12 student, also felt the demonstration was effective, noting, “It shows just how accidents can happen and how much time it takes to get us out.”
The message also emphasizes the importance of not drinking and driving and of making sure to wear seatbelts.
“I think it’s a good message to keep in our heads that these accidents don’t have to happen,” said Ohlhauser.
Mike Gibson, a social studies teacher at Kate Andrews, believes the demonstration is a good way to emphasize the safety message for students.
“If the demo can even save one life on the weekend, it’s worth it,” he said.
Gibson said it’s not realistic to expect young people to not drive and to not drink. The key, he added, is “to not put the two together.”
It’s a matter, he said, “of making smart choices.”
“We always tell the kids, ‘Don’t cross the stupid line.’”
Van Rijn said the Victoria Day weekend can be a deadly time as people head out on the roads to embark on the camping season.
During his many years in emergency services work, he’s encountered far too many Kate Andrews students who have died in crashes, and he feels strongly about the importance of sending the safety message in ways such as Thursday’s demonstration.
Van Rijn acknowledged the staged crash, even at low speed, does involve “a little bit of pain,” but added, “If if stops me from picking up one more kid, it’s worth it.” |
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by Lethbridge Herald.com
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