The Ashern Fire Department is planning to stage a mock accident on Monday.
It will be at 1:00 p.m. at Centennial Hall. A pre-crashed vehicle will be on the scene with three people inside, two of whom are a part of the local drama club.
The driver will be impaired and will be arrested by the RCMP, and two people will need to be extricated by the Fire Department.
One of the passengers getting extracted will not survive the crash.
"It is to bring awareness to impaired driving. Whether it be drugs or alcohol," said Ken Falk, Ashern's Fire Chief. "It is for the high school students, but there will obviously be others watching as well. It's all about awareness."
Following the mock accident, Ken and other emergency personnel will go to the high school to talk about the dangers of driving under the influence. The students are aware of the mock accident and know it's set up.
Falk still believes it will have a serious effect on the students.
"You know, just to actually see that," added Falk. "When we go there, we want to reiterate there's nothing real about this. With that said, these are the consequences that can happen if you make poor choices and get behind the wheel under the influence."
In 2024 in Manitoba, 15 people died, and 118 were injured in impaired driving collisions. In 2024, more than 2,100 Manitoban drivers committed an impaired driving offence.
Manitoba Public Insurance is seeing an increase in weed consumption before Manitobans get behind the wheel. A recent survey showed 24 percent of Manitoba drivers admitted to using cannabis before getting behind the wheel.
During a 2025 campaign by Winnipeg Police called "Don't Drive High", 97 drivers tested positive for cannabis. 207 were tested, equating to nearly 50 percent.
For Ken, who has responded to impaired driving collisions, the message is simple. Think before you do.
"Make good choices. There is a ton of education out there. We see the ADs on TV about impaired driving," ended Falk. "Our message is make good choices."
Monday's event is open to the public.
