The incident involving six students in two vehicles that resulted in two fatalities, two others being transported to area hospitals and one person being arrested fortunately was not real. The scene described was staged recently at Oldham County High School in an effort to make students more aware of the dangers of distracted driving and to hopefully educate them in making better choices.

The mock incident, titled Project "Open Eyes" was the idea of two local firefighters both of whom had attended schools in Oldham County and see first hand the results of distracted driving by the work they perform with their local fire department.

Information on the website Distraction.gov states that 3,450 people were killed. 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.

During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

Thanks to the following agencies involved for their assistance in getting this important message out to students.

Ballardsville Fire & Rescue Department
LaGrange Fire & Rescue Department
Oldham County Police Department
Oldham County Dispatch
Oldham County Coroner
Oldham County EMS
Staff & students at Oldham County Highschool

Don't be Distracted: Drive Safely