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“Every 15 Minutes” Campaign at Newport Harbor High

"Every 15 Minutes" Campaign at Newport Harbor High
Photo credit: Praisaeng

Ever heard of the “Every Fifteen Minutes” Campaign? It’s a school-based alcohol prevention program aimed at eliminating alcohol use among adolescents and teenagers. It’s based on the statistic that every 15 minutes, someone dies from an alcohol-related car crash.

Here’s how the program describes itself:

Life’s lessons are best learned through experience. Unfortunately, when the target audience is teens and the topic is drinking and texting while driving, experience is not the teacher of choice.

The Every 15 Minutes Program offers real-life experience without the real-life risks. This emotionally charged program, entitled Every 15 Minutes, is an event designed to dramatically instill teenagers with the potentially dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol and texting while driving. This powerful program will challenge students to think about drinking, texting while driving, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved.

The program involves a “Grim Reaper” who comes into the school and removes students who are represented as having been killed from drunk driving-related accidents, as well as a mock DUI crash, funeral, and presentations by authority figures on the matters of drunk and distracted driving and the effects thereof.

Just last week, students at Newport Harbor High School experienced this emotionally charged simulation. Read about it here.

While there is some debate about the efficacy of scare tactics on teenagers, and criticism that the program may traumatize some students, leaving them resentful of school and law enforcement authorities, the fact remains that automobile-related accidents are the #1 cause of teenage death in America. And one thing we can all agree on: no matter the form or venue it takes, somehow this epidemic must be addressed. We’re sure many would argue if the “Every 15 Minutes” program causes just one teenager to avoid getting behind the wheel drunk, it has served its purpose.

As a top rated Orange County driving school, we are committed to providing the most relevant education, facts, and training necessary to create safe, skilled drivers. Our goal is for the teenagers we instruct to be empowered and equipped with the proper tools and skills, and internally motivated to avoid risky behaviors and to remain safe and cautious behind the wheel.

Tips to Avoid Drunk Driving

Here are a few tips on how to avoid drunk driving:

1. Don’t drink.

Obviously if you’re under 21, it’s illegal anyway. But you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches (literally and figuratively) if you avoid alcohol altogether.

Just one little mistake can jeopardize your future. Getting arrested for DUI or drunk in public, busted by the cops at a house party, or getting carried away by lack of judgment and making a decision you could regret forever. Trust us, it does happen.

Think you need it to fit in? Maybe you need to take inventory of your friendships. Real friends won’t force you to be anyone other than who you are, and they won’t pressure you to violate your conscience. Real friends encourage each other to be the best person they can be – to make wise choices that will benefit them, not harm them.

2. Plan ahead and stay put.

Whether you’re at home, at a party, or at a bar, if you start drinking, stay put. Plan ahead before a night of partying to make sure you have a place to sleep or a designated driver to take you home. With taxis and affordable rides from Lyft and Uber, there’s really no excuse. Don’t drive, period.

If you’re hosting a party, put some blankets and pillows out so people can sleep over. Collect car keys to ensure no one tries to pull a fast one on you. (Judgment is impaired by alcohol, so someone may feel they are okay to drive home when they are not. Or they may become stubborn and obstinate when someone tells them they can’t do something and will set out to “prove them wrong”.)

3. Remember, you’re impaired.

Your judgment will not be accurate when you are drinking alcohol – even if you’re just buzzed. If you’re going to drink, at least be smart enough to know you’re not superhuman and it WILL affect you. Thought processes, judgment and discretion, body functions and reaction time – all are impaired and slowed by alcohol. While you’re still sober, vow with your friends to not let anyone leave the party drunk or buzzed.

Stay safe!

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of at least 39 correct answers.
  • You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.