The Choices and Consequences program is an interactive high school presentation designed to educate and prevent individuals from drunk, drugged and reckless driving. The Vehicle Crimes Bureau put this program together because tougher policies alone will not put an end to the devastating effects that drunk, drugged and reckless driving causes. As a community we need to change the way we think about driving. Choices and Consequences is one step toward changing the culture that permits these violent crimes to continue. About the Program : The 90 minute program is based on a "reality TV" model that relies on real cases, real evidence and real people from cases to break through natural teenage invincibility to teach life-saving lessons. The program is divided into 3 segments: 1. The first segment educates the students about criminal law, the social host law, safe driving techniques, toxicology and licensing issues using real cases and real evidence. 2. The second segment consists of a skit where student volunteers re-enact a driving situation in which passengers encourage the driver to drink and engage in other reckless driving. A Nassau County Police Officer responds to the scene of the “crash” and explains the police procedures and the tests conducted. The student “driver” performs coordination tests wearing “Fatal Vision” goggles which simulate intoxication. At the conclusion students are informed the skit is based on a real case in which the driver’s cousin was killed as a result of the crash and the fact he had not been wearing a seat belt. 3. The final segment is the most powerful. Young DWI and driving crime defendants are sentenced to speak at the programs as part of their community service. NCDA believes that the experience for the young defendants and the audience presents a “win/win” situation. The defendant faces the reality of what they have done each time they share their story. And hopefully the student audience identifies with the speaker and realizes how easily they could make these mistakes. Victims or their families also explain the heartache they have suffered at the hands of drunk or reckless drivers. The Choices and Consequences Program has been presented over 100 times to over 20,000 participants. If even one student changes his or her behavior or gets out of an unsafe car than the program has been a success. Helpful Links:
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