Statistics

reflect that one person dies on the roadways every 22 minutes in the United

States. There were a total of 29 ghosts at McIntosh representing the number

of people who had died on U.S. roadways between the time school had started

and when the car crash reenactment was conducted.

"It's

hard for students to realize what a significant number that is but when

they see the group of ghosts all together the impact is driven home,"

said Jackie Thompson one of the safe and drug free coordinators at the

school responsible for organizing this year's program.

Toward the

end of the school day, the entire student body was assembled in the gym

for the program's finale. In the parking lot of the school was a car that

had been badly damaged from hitting an inanimate object at just 35 miles

per hour. Inside the vehicle were two McIntosh students, one dead and

the other in critical condition. Both had on makeup to recreate realistic

looking lacerations and injuries.

Students heard

a narrator read step by step how the car crashed and the injuries that

were inflicted on the victims as they would have happened in real time.

An actual call was made to 911 and rescue crews arrived on the scene to

show students exactly what happens at a crash site. As if that was not

enough to convenience students to drive safely, they listened to a narration

from the dead victim as she talked about how she was too young to die

and how sad and hurt her family and friends would be to learn of her death.

Steve Cipullo,

a former 12-year firefighter and the father of Jeanine, the student who

played the part of the fatally wounded victim, says while it was difficult

to watch his daughter participate in the program, he applauds the message

that it sends to teenage drivers.

"I think

this is excellent. When I was a firefighter we used to wait on prom night

for the calls to start coming in," he said. "If just one kid

here today gets something out of this, then it is worth it."

Senior Kelly

Murphy, one of the ghosts, says she is glad that Ghost Out was held at

her school this year and believes that it will help save the lives of

some of her classmates.

"I think

most people learn by seeing rather than just hearing about statistics.

I hope students walk away today knowing how dangerous a car can be and

that it is important to drive safely and responsibly," said Murphy.

The Fayette

County Sheriff's Department, Peachtree City Fire Department and Emergency

Services, Emory Air and Carl J. Mowell and Son Funeral Home participated

in the program to help lend a realistic effect.

"I think

this is one of the best things we have ever done at McIntosh. It is shocking

and upsetting but that is how it is suppose to be to make students think

about their behavior before they get behind the wheel. If we save just

one student's life by doing this program then it will have been a success,"

said Thompson.