A Life Interrupted

life interupt:
The Bakersfield Police Department’s goal is to provide for the safety and welfare of the citizens of Bakersfield. The officers and empoyee’s of BPD are dedicated to community safety, security, and public trust.

The California office of Traffic Safety has found that teenagers are involved in far more motor vehicle collisions than any other age group, and are much more likely to be killed or injured. When teen drivers are involved in a collision they are usually at fault. Lack of experience and a general tendency towards high risk behavior by young males are primary causes. Because of these findings, The Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Section and the California Highway Patrol have teamed up to provide an educational program which focuses on teen drivers. A Life Interrupted is a program that targets high school students, youth groups and community-based organizations.

The goal of A Life Interrupted is to educate teens about driver and occupant responsibility by highlighting actual traffic collisions as well as the vehicles involved in the local traffic accidents.

A Life Interrupted involves transporting actual wrecked automobiles from fatal collisions in the community to schools and community based organizations to visually demonstrate the hazards of speeding, inattention and alcohol.

The presentation begins with a scrolling memorial to the high school-aged youth who have died in auto related collisions in Kern County since 1987. Photographs, audio 911 calls and dispatch tapes have been incorporated into the presentation in order to demonstrate the reality of such tragedies. "We show you these pictures because we want you to see what we see." -Don Cegielski, Bakersfield Police Officer, speaking to the students at South High School. During the course of the presentation, eight fatal accidents and one major injury accident are presented to the youths with details regarding how each collision occurred, how it could have been avoided and what decisions were made by the driver and passengers prior to the collision.

The presentation is followed by a question and answer session. The program may also include the transportation of a vehicle from a local collision, which resulted in the death of one teenager, to high schools and community based organizations. The severely damaged vehicle is a strong reminder demonstrating the hazards of alcohol and driving.

Over 14,000 Kern County youth have been reached through the A Life Interrupted program. To schedule a presentation call the Bakersfield Police Department, Traffic Section, (661) 326-3598 or (661) 326-3938. or Email: Bpdtrf@ci.bakersfield.ca.us

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