On April 9, 2026 Palisade High School witnessed a demonstration by the Palisade Fire and Police Departments, devoted to bringing awareness to drunk driving. This event was both impactful and informative to many students. Principle Dan Bollinger states, “The focus is deterring kids from making the choice to drink and drive.” Showing Palisade High Schools want to help prevent this problem in teens when it is most important.
To start the students gathered in the gym where they listened to a 911 call responding to a drunk driving incident. The students were then moved outside to the parking lot, where a mock car crash was set up. The student witnessed the quick response of the Fire and Police departments ensuring to get the full impact of the scene. Towards the end of the demonstration there were multiple people involved in the crash, there was one fatality, and after a field sobriety test the drunk driver was arrested and taken to jail. This demonstration was not just an everyday warning about the dangers of drunk driving. Instead, it was a visual example of how drunk driving in a second can change the lives of you and your family. One example being taken to jail and facing charges that can send you to prison. Another possible outcome is injury or killing of another driver on the road, impacting a family forever. Bollinger also explains “ I think it puts something in the back of your mind to say, ooh, I don’t want that to ever be me.”
Also the Palisade Police department ended with their demonstration of a roll over accident and how wearing a seatbelt can save you and your passengers lives. This is an important message and Palisade High School is looking to spread awareness in high school when it matters most. This ultimately can save lives and impact the safety of our community. This event was successful due to the help of student counsel, and members of the Palisade Marching Band. The most important take away from this event was the impact that unsafe driving can have. Although the problem of drunk driving is not solved Palisade is doing its part for the safety of students and the town of Palisade.
Thank you to the students and first Responders that made this demonstration possible.
