JCPS To Host Four S.A.F.E. Mock Car Crash Events In Preparation For Proms 

Josh Plisko, JCPS Director of Athletics and Driver Education, speaks to Clayton High juniors and seniors ahead of the S.A.F.E. mock car crash event. 

CLAYTON – On Tuesday, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) presented a mock car crash at Clayton High as part of the S.A.F.E. Mock Car Crash Program. This year the school district will conduct a total of four mock car crashes, with Clayton High kicking off the program.

State Highway Patrol, Johnston County Emergency Services, Johnston County Local Fire Departments, Johnston County EMS gather together for information regarding their roles for the event.

The purpose of the events is to educate students on making sound decisions and the potential risks of operating vehicles as teen drivers. S.A.F.E. stands for slow down, avoid drugs and alcohol, fasten seatbelts, and electronics can wait. The events will provide visually impactful messaging to the students ahead of prom, graduation, and summer travel.

Members of the Clayton Fire Department use the Jaws of Life for extraction, as a way to show young drivers how dangerous distracted driving can be to them and others.

“As the Director of Athletics and Driver Education the groups and school system coming together to share this message speaks volumes to how much we care about students, “ said Josh Plisko, JCPS Director of Athletics and Driver Education.

Clayton Police Officer and Clayton High Student Resource Officer Jalise Farris provides another voice for students to hear from about driving while distracted.

This educational visual program is a large collaborative effort between state and local organizations. The groups involved in these events include the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, NC State Highway Patrol, Johnston County Emergency Services, Johnston County Fire Departments, Johnston County EMS, student volunteers, JoCo Teen Drivers Club, drama club members, principals and district staff. 

Two wrecked cars sit on the football field of Clayton High as a strong visual reminder for teens to stay safe on the road ahead of prom, Spring Break, and the upcoming summer travel season.

Leading up to the event, the NC State Highway Patrol has provided schools with 4 short PSA videos to be played to all students. This educational visual program will take place on each school’s campus, and will include students acting out a prom crash scene, and emergency personnel assessing the scene and being actively involved in the program. 

North Johnston High teacher and coach David Anderson, speaks to juniors and seniors about the accident that left him in a wheelchair, and how quickly one’s life can change because of a car accident. 

“The S.A.F.E program is a great initiative that I believe every student, parent, and teacher should be sharing with young citizens to aid them in continuing to evaluate small daily decisions that can have big impacts on their and their family’s lives,” Plisko remarked.

Johnston County Emergency Services pretend to work on an accident victim as part of the mock car crash event at Clayton High.

The remaining schedule of events are as follows:

  • Princeton Middle High School – April 16th, 8:45 AM in the bus parking lot
  • West Johnston High School – April 17th, 8:45 AM at the football stadium
  • Cleveland High School – April 24th, 8:45 AM at the football stadium
Cheryl Leonard, Assistant Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program speaks with Josh Plisko, JCPS Director of Athletics and Driver Education. 
North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers pretend to arrest a Clayton High student involved in the S.A.F.E. mock car crash event at the school.
Clayton High Comet Ambassadors participated in the school’s S.A.F.E. mock car crash. Pictured (L to R): Clayton High Myles Minder, Ayden Raynor, Payton McAllister, Addie Dean, Caroline Daily, Maddy Handy, Iza Leeworthy, Nathan Murphy, Landon Evans, Khloe Bossman, Junias Lunsford, Maddie Johnson, and Lacyn Hubbard.

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