To demonstrate the consequences of an accident caused by drunken or distracted driving, ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars will be responding to the Drillfield on the evening of Friday, Jan. 28.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, in a partnership with the Blacksburg Fire Department and the Virginia Tech Police Department, 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 training 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 event is open to the public. Flashing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles will be used during the drill. The exercise in its entirety will last approximately two hours.

Traffic impacts

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. 

Please direct specific drill questions to 540-231-7318 or vtrescue-g@vt.edu. Communications and media-related questions can be directed to abriehl@vt.edu.

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