Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Issued By: Sergeant Jeremy Walsh
Petaluma Police Department
(707) 778-4596

EVENT DATE: April 4, 2019
EVENT: Every 15 Minutes
LOCATION: 200 Block of Fair Street
NOTICE: Special Event Notification
ROAD CLOSURES: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
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Summary:

The Petaluma Police Department in partnership with the California Highway Patrol and other local allied public safety agencies, will be conducting a Drinking and Driving Education Program for Juniors and Seniors at Petaluma High School. The program is called “Every 15 Minutes.”

The two-day program challenges students to think about how their decisions concerning alcohol impact their friends, families and many others. The program’s name was derived from the fact that in the early 1990’s, every fifteen minutes someone in the United States died in an alcohol related traffic collision.

On Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 11:45 AM, there will be a simulated fatal traffic collision staged on Fair Street, fronting Petaluma High School. Between the hours of 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM, Fair Street from Bassett Street to Douglas Street will be blocked for participant safety reasons. The staged traffic collision will involve several Petaluma High School Students, emergency vehicles including, fire engines, ambulances, police cars, the coroner’s office and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter. No collision will actually occur and the involved vehicles, with preexisting damage, are placed in a position to simulate a vehicle collision. On day two of the program, a school assembly will take place on school grounds and will not involve any road closures.

This is the 19th year the Petaluma Police Department has hosted this educational program and as like in years past, we will have on scene personnel working this event to reasonably accommodate any traffic related issues. The Petaluma Police appreciates the public’s patience and understanding and requests those who cannot avoid the area to allow plenty of time for travel.