This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection.
Story by Sasha Fafel
Swampscott High School, in coordination with the Swampscott Police and Fire Departments, displayed a crashed car from May 7 to 22 to raise awareness for teenagers drunk driving during the prom season.
“It serves as a stark reminder of the lifelong impacts of a single poor decision,” Principal Emily Zotto wrote In an email sent to high school families on the first day of the display.
The car featured shattered windows and blown airbags, as well as other damaged elements. The Swampscott Fire Department and Swampscott Police Department School Resource Officer Brian Wilson did most of the damage to the vehicle.
The car remained outside of the entrance to the front door during the junior prom’s red carpet event on May 8. Its placement near prom attendees sparked concerns among some students.
“It got the memo across. I understand it’s a good message but it felt strange walking next to it on the carpet,” said senior Maddie Lilley, who attended the junior prom.
The car served as a daunting parallel on the effects of drunk driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of young drivers (ages 15 to 20) killed in fatal car crashes had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.01 g/dL or higher, and 26% had BACs of 0.08 g/dL or higher.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 16.7% of high school students report riding with a driver who had been drunk. About 5.4% of high school students through the country admit to driving after consuming alcohol at least once in a 30-day period.
However, it is uncertain if the wrecked car was an effective warning or hindrance to the prom festivities.
“I think it was super ineffective because kids were still going to drink and drive. I think (Matthew Bocchi) speaking is more effective because it’s a real story,” said Senior Class President and Student Government leader Avery Forbes.
However, school administrators and law enforcement said they hope the display can amplify real conversations on the consequences of driving under the influence.
“We encourage (families) to continue these frank discussions at home regarding the risks of impaired driving and the importance of students looking out for one another,” Zotto said.
