Every 15 Minutes Campaign Held at Lompoc High

The “one hundred deadliest days” for teen drivers fall between the memorial and labor day holidays. Local law enforcement are hoping to keep central coast teens from becoming part of those statistics.They staged a mock D.U.I. accident at Lompoc High School Wednesday, to demonstrate the dangers of drunk or distracted driving.”It was really emotional and felt really real,” says Kaylyn Spies, a student who played a role in the crash.When the campaign began in 2000, statistics showed a teen was killed in a D.U.I. related accident every 15 minutes–hence the name.Those numbers have since decreased to one every 23 minutes. Officers credit the educational program.”any student or family member, parent, that go through the program, it’s a lifetime experience. They’ll never forget it,” explains Tony Durham, a retired California Highway Patrol Officer, and organizer of the campaign.While the 100 days between Memorial and Labor day weekend are considered the deadliest among teen drivers. Officers say, they also focus on the time period between prom and graduation.At Lompoc and Cabrillo High Schools, teens seem to be getting the message.Durham says, “we haven’t had a fatality during that window since 2001.”Spies adds, “I hope it opens everyone’s eyes and lets people know drunk driving is not ok.”