the dangers of driving under the influence demonstrated to Picard high school students

“For them, the drug has become commonplace, the time that they have not been confronted with a drama.” This observation, Frédéric Friscourt already did in 2014 when he organized awareness campaigns for high school students in the Center of France. Eight years later, this police major, former narcotics squad and anti-drug trainer at the central directorate of public security, continues his work with adolescents. It reminds them of the dangers of driving under the influence, namely, alcohol, drugs or medication.

Whether in the Center or in Picardy, the course of this prevention day is always the same: simulation of an accident, a car against a scooter, carried out by a professional stuntman, then that of two cars colliding.

The students are filming, however, we feel impressed despite the laughter on display. “They need to be scared, to play with speed, with alcohol, observes Pascale Bernard, professor of applied arts. The teacher, who accompanies these high school students from Amiens and Beauvais continues “They laugh like that, but I think it will stick and make them think a bit.”

Impression confirmed by the teenagers present: “We really see the impact of the accident on the material and on the characters” (the dummies used for the simulation).
“It taught me things I didn’t know and opened my eyes to things I doubted. Now I’m going to be more careful” confides another at the exit of a screening during which the testimony of parents bereaved by the death of their daughter left no one indifferent.

You have to strike a chord because they think they are invulnerable. When you’re young, you don’t think about death.

Frederic Friscourt

Police trainer anti-drugs

This type of intervention seems necessary, because statistics show that the 18-24 age group is the most affected by accidents. They represent 20% of road deaths, while they constitute only 9% of the population.

At this age, there are many risky behaviors. According to a study carried out by MAAF (the partner insurer of this operation) among 2,578 young people, 51% drink alcohol several times a week, or even daily, and 43% have already taken the wheel after drinking or smoking drugs. .

However, as can be read on the Road Safety website,”lThe consumption of these substances leads to the reduction of visual and auditory faculties, a state of intense excitement, a loss of awareness of the danger.

Organized for five years, these awareness days have reached more than 30,000 young people.