It’s hard to miss.
A crumpled vehicle sits on the sidewalk next to the student parking lot at Clarkston High School. The hope of the Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter is that displaying one destroyed car will prevent more destroyed vehicles and lives.
‘We’re trying to make an impact on the high school and show what can happen when you choose to drink and drive,? according to student Kim Cook, a SADD board officer. ‘You can be smart and have fun at the same time.?
SADD advisor Trisha Carter said this is the second year Clarkston has brought in a crashed car, with the help of 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry, car dealer Chuck Fortinberry and the folks at Byers Towing.
Other high schools have found the display an effective way to communicate the consequences of drunken driving. While the car may not have a direct connection to a Clarkston youth’s crash, Carter said this year’s car has a student notebook among the crumpled components.
‘Being the parent of a teenager, that really shook me up,? Carter said.
Last year’s vehicle display motivated student Katie Colpaert to join the cause of SADD.
‘I wanted to be part of something that could try and help people think about it before they did something like that,? Colpaert said.
While they had no specific statistics on local teen drinking, the group believes the May 27 prom and other spring events have the potential for tragedy.
‘We really feel strongly about this, because underage drinking is a big problem in the high schools,? SADD board officer Sara Hartley said. ‘We don’t want our peers injured or killed.?
SADD members know of two of their peers who have died in car crashes this past year, and one of those was killed because of the actions of a drunken driver.
‘We know a lot of kids drink, from hearing them talk,? Cook said.
In cooperation with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, SADD will display a banner with the slogan, ‘Refuse to be roadkill for anybody,? and will augment the vehicle display with schoolwide announcements.
In addition, Carter said SADD is promoting a ‘prom promise,? asking students to sign a pledge not to drink and drive and to avoid those who do. If a parent also signs the pledge form, the student may use it to obtain a free haircut from Randolph’s Salon in Waterford.
The message will be a hard sell to some students, according to two who openly made fun of the vehicle display on Monday.
‘I don’t like that they’re dumping a car in the middle of the school parking lot,? Justin Green said, comparing the campaign to a vegetarian trying to convert others to that lifestyle. ‘I’m totally not for drunk driving, but I don’t believe in this at all. People make choices; some are good, some are bad. Let them make their own choices.?
Matt Haig said he works next door to Byers Towing and sees wrecked vehicles brought in every day. He believes the SADD display will not work.
‘If you’re dumb enough to drink and drive I guess those are the consequences you’re going to pay,? Haig said.