A smashed-up vehicle will be making appearances in Estevan this spring and summer, but it’s not something that should cause people to panic or call police.
The Crashed Car Campaign is an initiative of the Estevan chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Connie Hagel, who is the chairperson for the local MADD chapter, said they have a car that looks like it has been in a serious collision. It has the MADD logo and a few other sponsor decals.
“It’s just a visual of what can happen if you drive impaired,” said Hagel. “It’s another awareness thing that we’re going to do.”
The crashed car will be in the community in June and July. The first location will be at the Estevan Comprehensive School’s parking lot. It will then shift locations every two weeks.
The Comp. was selected because it’s a high-traffic area, the school year will be finished soon and it serves as a good visual reminder for the students. It was placed at the school on Wednesday morning.
“We just want to make everybody, not only the students but the parents who are driving them in and out of the Comp., aware. I thought it was a good place to start. All of the other places that I pick will be the entrances to the city,” said Hagel.
If she can save one life through the Crashed Car campaign, Hagel said she’ll be happy.
The Crashed Car has been utilized by MADD Canada for a number of years, and Hagel said it has proven successful in other provinces. Since it went so well, Hagel wanted to have it in Estevan. MADD Canada provided its blessing.
“It’s a really good tool to use for awareness, and it was in MADD Canada already, so it’s not like it’s something new. We’re just bringing it into Saskatchewan now,” said Hagel.
She’s not concerned that people will see the Crashed Car and call police, thinking that an actual collision has occurred.
“The Estevan Police will know that it’s out there, and there’s no mistaking that it’s a visual aid to help us show people what happens when people do drive impaired. This vehicle was not in an accident. We make it look like an accident, but it hasn’t been in an accident.”
Hagel noted she has had the support of the Estevan Police Service, the Estevan RCMP, Saskatchewan Government Insurance and other partners on the project and for the MADD chapter. The decals will be highly visible, and there’s no doubt it will be a MADD vehicle.
Estevan MADD chapter volunteers will also be out in the community this summer to perform checkstops with local police officers. They were part of the stops during the Victoria Day long weekend.
Hagel also wants to have the Impaired Driver Caught Here signs at locations in which local police have apprehended an impaired motorist.
