Face it, guys can sometimes be really reckless drivers. Speed is something that is so enticing for young teenagers who just got their license. However, speed can cause accidents and traffic stops. In order for Jesuit drivers to be safer, Project Unity presented a presentation on Thursday, April 13 in the Terry Center to help us better understand cooperation with the police and driving safety.
Safety should be the number one priority of every driver, and yet, this falls to the side of fun and excitement. During the presentation, one story in particular dealing with this stood out to me. It involved a young teacher that was involved in a highway wreck and it led to the deaths of two motorcyclists. After saying she was driving at 70 mph, the black box in the car that tells the authorities the actual data, showed she was driving at 110 mph. This led to her being charged with manslaughter and now living life in prison.
Now what is the main takeaway from this story? As students open to growth, we need to realize that our actions can have serious consequences. Everyone is mortal and by your reckless actions, you can take away someone’s husband, wife, or child. Moreover, these events happen to lots of the youth demographic from 16-25.
The second part of the presentation allowed the Seniors to get mock pulled over so that they understand how to properly act during a traffic stop. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Kenneth Chapital ’23 about his experience with the program.
What was getting pulled over feel like?
“Getting pulled over was a new experience for me as I’ve never been in a car stopped by police before. As a black man, my parents have always specifically discussed what to do when pulled over by law enforcement. Personally, it was something I’m grateful I got to practice, instead of being thrown into a real life situation without previous experience.”
How was the simulation?Â
“The simulation went as expected but it did feel more intense than I thought it was going to. The cops did a good job of not sugarcoating anything and going easy on us. They wanted to make it feel as realistic as possible and they did great.”Â
What were your thoughts on the presentation?Â
“This presentation did not vastly change my view of cops but it is different getting to hear cops point of views on topics such as police brutality. The cops made us understand that they sometimes have bad days just like we do and they might be more prone to making mistakes in certain situations when their mind is not in the right place.”
What does Project Unity mean for you?
“Project Unity meant a lot to me as I felt it was important to be a part of something that helps bring law enforcement and the citizens of my community together. It will always have a special place in my heart as I got to have new experiences and hear cops talk about how their jobs are and the behind the scenes aspect of it. Getting to have meaningful conversations through dialogue, community building events, and promoting diversity and inclusion was fun. Finally, I felt like we were making a true difference in people’s lives.”
