This article was written by Patch Editor Akiko Oda.
Throughout the week, more than 600 seniors at both Gig Harbor and Peninsula High Schools participated in the annual Teen Driver Safety Week to learn about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.
To close out the week, students participated in the annual mock crash at Gig Harbor High School on Friday.
With the help of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One, Key Peninsula Fire and Gig Harbor Police, several students took part in a scenario where two students were killed and others injured in a DUI crash.
With proms, graduation festivities and summer approaching, Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One spokesman Eric Waters said it's important to remind the students about making good choices.
"Driving is a serious responsibility," he said. "With distractions-- whether it's texting or other friends in the car talking to them and in addition to impairment--they can have tragic results."
Making poor choices while driving isn't worth the risk of losing people's loved ones, Gig Harbor student Katie Gilman said.
"It's not safe when you're not looking at the road and you're on your phone," she said. "Everyone's going to have that initial reaction to grab your phone as soon as it goes off, but just don't do it."
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