Mock accident showing dangers of distracted and drunken driving scheduled for Sept. 9
Parts of Drillfield Drive between Davidson and Sandy Halls will be closed for the event
To demonstrate the consequences of an accident caused by drunken or distracted driving, ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and a helicopter will be responding to the Drillfield on the evening of Sept. 9.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, in partnership with the Blacksburg Fire Department, the Virginia Tech Police Department, and a Carilion LifeGuard Med-Evac helicopter, will conduct a simulated motor vehicle collision on Drillfield Drive between Davidson Hall and Sandy Hall.
The simulation is intended to raise awareness of the dangers and life-threatening consequences of driving distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It also provides an invaluable opportunity for the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad to train alongside regional emergency response agencies.
The simulated accident will be staged on the Drillfield and will include the entrapment of victims within the vehicles. Rescue squad and fire department teams will use the Jaws of Life to remove entrapped patients from the vehicles. The Med-Evac helicopter will then simulate the transport of a critically injured patient by landing on and lifting off from the grassy field adjacent to Grove Lane.
The event is free and open to the public. Flashing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles will be used during the drill. The event will last approximately 90 minutes.
The section of Drillfield Drive between Davidson Hall and Sandy Hall will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 to 9 p.m. to allow for set up, the drill itself, and clean up. Traffic on West Campus Drive will be stopped for a brief period of time during the landing and take-off of the helicopter in the grassy area near The Grove.
Please direct questions to 540-231-7318 or vtrescue-g@vt.edu.
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