Officers Rex Davenport and Daniel Wells of the Bakersfield Police Department brought an exhibit, known as A Life Interrupted, to the Bakersfield College campus Oct. 22.
A Life Interrupted was first developed six years ago as a way to better educate local teenage drivers. Officer Don Cegielski of the Bakersfield Police Department set out to create a high impact intense program, and fostered an idea of using photographs from actual fatal collisions, not only due to alcohol but the reckless choices made by drivers, such as excess speed.
Davenport and Wells, in addition to their 40-hour a week patrol schedule, visit different venues in order to educate young drivers. The officers created a 45-minute power point presentation where they discuss the reality of what happens while driving under the influence of alcohol.
However, the program does not only focus on DUI driving. A Life Interrupted is about the importance of driving safety, and the message is “Be responsible for your actions.”
“Although alcohol-related accidents are the worst, we want to educate about safe driving, and safety while driving,” said Wells.
A Life Interrupted is a non-profit organization and through the generous donations of local business, such as Three-way Chevrolet and State Farm insurance, gifted a mobile DUI crash exhibit for community benefit.
A customized 30-foot glass sided trailer, which houses an actual automobile driven by a local 20-year-old woman who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver. The trailer allows viewers a tangible glimpse of the results of reckless driving, while being able to listen to a DVD of 911 calls and testimonials of people involved or were affected by an accident.
“The trailer is great because it gives the kids something to look at. It makes it real,” said Wells. Davenport and Wells take A Life Interrupted to North High school Oct. 24.