'Road To Reality' To Depict Horrors Of Drunk Driving

PLAINFIELD, IL –District 202’s sixth annual "Road to Reality" program will highlight the consequences of teen drunken driving paired with distracted driving. This unique, powerful event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at Plainfield North High School, 12005 S. 248th St. There is no admission fee and refreshments will be available.

All District 202 seventh- to 12th-graders and their parents or adult guardians are strongly encouraged to attend. The program is not recommended for children under age 10 due to its graphic nature.

Several prizes, including Chromebooks, headphones, high school parking passes and $50 discounts on drivers' education fees will also be raffled.

All participants will "set out" on a journey at 15-minute intervals starting at 6 p.m. They will witness six scenes showing the fallout from drunk driving including a party; a car crash; a trip to the hospital; a coroner's visit to deliver the tragic news; a bedroom filled with regret and a sentencing in a courtroom.

This program is extremely popular. Attendees should arrive by 7 p.m. PNHS students and various resources work together to present this program and make it realistic and impactful.

Officials from the Will County Coroner, Judge's Association, the Plainfield Fire and Police departments and Edward Hospital emergency room doctors and trauma nurses will play key roles to help send the message.

“We continue to do this program each year to give parents and students a way to talk about this this issue," PNHS Catalyst Coordinator Tami Curry said.

“In the end we want adolescents to not drink alcohol and get behind the wheel of a vehicle, and anything we can do to help achieve that goal is worth doing.”

The 6th annual "Road to Reality" will also feature representatives of the:

• Will County State's Attorney's Office
• Will County Sheriff's Department
• Illinois State Police
• Canadian National Railroad
• Operation Lifesaver
• Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM)
• Illinois Secretary of State's Office
• Edward Hospital
• Gateway Foundation
• Will County 12th Judicial Circuit Court
• Plainfield Fire and Police departments
• Will County Coroner's Office
• Linden Oaks Behavioral Health

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Submitted by District 202

Patch file photo via District 202