FARMINGTON — A mock drunken driving accident scene takes place at the University of Maine at Farmington at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 26, to educate young drivers on the dangers of drunk and distracted driving.

The scene will be staged between UMF’s Mantor Library and the UMF Computer Center on South Street, which will be closed to traffic from 3 to  6 p.m.

The exercise will present campus and community members with a graphic reminder of the dangerous and potentially deadly consequences of alcohol and distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, and one out of three of these is alcohol related.

“Staged accidents like this are valuable because they raise awareness of the consequences of drunk and distracted driving and hopefully save lives,” said Ted Blais, UMF director of public safety. “We’re pleased to be able to bring this public service exercise to the UMF campus and hope spectators will share what they’ve learned with their friends and family.”

The Franklin County dispatch center will be notified of the simulation prior to the event and will announce over their radio network that it is only a drill as the exercise unfolds. Spectators can expect to see several student volunteers taking on different roles, including an intoxicated driver and injured or deceased passengers.

A multitude of public safety and emergency responders will participate in the mock scene. UMF and Farmington police, emergency medical services, the Farmington Fire Department and the Adams-McFarlane Funeral Home will proceed as if this was an actual accident.

The Maine State Police will be on hand to demonstrate the arrest process and accident reconstruction. Representatives from Franklin County Emergency Management and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department will be available to speak with spectators. In addition, representatives from the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety will demonstrate the “Seat Belt Convincer,” an educational tool that teaches the importance of wearing a seat belt.

The event is sponsored by the UMF departments of Student Life and Public Safety and NorthStar EMS.

This event will take place outdoors, rain or shine. The event is free and open to the public; however it is important for community members to realize that the scenario is of a graphic nature and may not be suitable for some children.

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