PASCO, Wash. – Columbia Basin College (CBC) students are taking a stand against distracted and impaired driving through an event called “The Last Ride.” The aim is to raise awareness and potentially save lives.
The campaign, which is part of this years CBC fall festival, features booths and simulators from Target Zero and local first responders. These resources are educating students on the dangers of distractions while driving.
“We had a member who had a passion about, I think they lost members to drunken driving. And so when we started to do the research and decided that we wanted to put something on to heighten awareness, especially since the student population that is most affected by distracted driving is between 18 and 25.” a CBC staff member said.
Members of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society organized interactive activities to highlight the risks. Pasco Fire provided lessons on CPR and emergency responses.
“So they’re talking about it, which is good. They’re not just doing it and then forgetting about it. Actually having conversations about it right after they’re done here.” Terry Marie Fleischman, an event organizer, said.
Both staff and students hope the message resonates long after the festival concludes.
“By virtue of of experiencing some of the things that they did today to be able to walk out of here and say, I didn’t know that, right? Or wow, I learned something that I didn’t realize and that perhaps it might change their behavior that could perhaps save a life.” Fleischman said.
Outside the college’s hub core area, white crosses with messages honor those who lost their lives to drunk or distracted driving. These will be displayed through Friday for public viewing.
