Star Wars: Blogs | But What I'd Really Like to Do is...

But What I'd Really Like to Do is...

date posted: Apr 27, 2006 10:38 PM

"Every 15 Minutes"

I'm taking a break from the fun behind the scenes stories to allow discussion about our involvement in the "Every 15 Minutes" program as seen here. I will get back to much more light-hearted topics, but please allow me this moment to express some serious thoughts.

The past couple of years were especially difficult for the students of Casa Grande High School in Petaluma, California, the location of this year's event. In the past two years, they have lost an unusually high number of students to road accidents, the most recent being right before Christmas of last year. It was with great reservation (as well as some controversy) that they took part in the program. I want to commend those teachers, administrators, parents and students for being brave enough to face these types of tragedies.

The program's intent is to teach about drinking and driving, but I've always felt it's about responsibility. When I was learning to drive, my father forced the point that I was taking on an awesome responsibility getting behind the wheel of a car. It is not a toy-in the wrong hands, it is a weapon. As we worked on this program, stories of our past experiences kept coming up. It seemed everyone could relate a dangerous experience or near miss. I didn't always heed my father's words and I did some really stupid things...fortunately, I never hurt anyone. George Lucas himself was involved in a life-threatening auto accident that changed his life and direction. I hope nobody ever has to go through that to get the point.

These are not simply issues kids deal with-I see a lot of irresponsibility with adults. However, as a parent, I think the worst pain that I could endure is to see my child lying injured or dead.

For those of you just starting out or learning to drive, be safe. For you older drivers...you really should know better.

Please be responsible in all aspects of your life.

http://blogs.starwars.com/droids/4

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The Dark Moose
Moose Poodoo

date Posted: Apr 27, 2006 11:03 PM

As a father of a 15 year old about to begin driving, I am most interested in this. My first lesson to my daughter is that driving might look like fun, but its one of the first real adult responsibilities we are faced with. Not only does it mean adhering to the law, but understanding that you have to be responsible for your own driving behavior, as well as be prepared for someone else's.

With or without alcohol or other substances involved, driving is a first opportunity to truly be responsible not only for their own life and property, but other people's as well. It's so important to prepare them with the right mindset. Good blog entry - everyone should check this out, old and young alike.

DM out

NerfHerdersAnonymous
Life, the Star Wars Universe and Everything

date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 12:01 AM

If only every parent I see driving one-handed at 90 miles an hour on the freeway, talking on the phone or doing other things, with their children in tow or parents who think it's OK to have a drink or two at dinner and drive, could see the film.

The choice seems to be so simple...drink/speeding or your (or someone else's) child's life. It's disheartening to see so many people deliberately choose poorly.

As the mother of a three year old I cannot fathom this dangerous behavior in parents.

I'm adding the "Every 15 Minutes" link to all my web pages (over 900).

Thank you.

Norway
Letters from Hoth

date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 1:59 AM

Here in Norway it is much harder to get a drivers license than in the states. You have to pay hundreds of dollars in professional drivers ed lessons (one-on-one, not a class), have hundreds of driving hours with a professional instructor (which also cots hundreds of dollars), and you have to be 18 or over.

In the end, the dirvers are much more responsible than had they only paid the DMV $20 (or whatever it is these days) and "proved" they can drive by passing a 15-minute drivers test after a no-brainer oral exam.

My Uncle was killed by a drunk driver. I am very supportive of programs like this.

Cheers Don!

	The Stooge Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 7:44 AM When I turned sixteen, the phrase my father used was "you're now in control of a one-ton death machine." Clearly, I never forgot it. Thanks for reminding us about this danger.

	bonniegrrl Droids Just Wanna Have Fun
date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 1:21 PM Thanks for blogging about this too. When I was writing the ILM Helps Community Anti-Drunk Driving Project story for the site I couldn't help but think of all the times I'd been driving around San Francisco and I see motorists simply not paying attention. They were driving like drunk drivers, but oddly enough they were just yammering on their cell phones.

bonniegrrl
Droids Just Wanna Have Fun

date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 1:23 PM

When we published the article last night, I was knocking on wood that I'd never see a gruesome car wreck like that, and then I drove right through the massive car explosion that happened in the Castro all due to yet another driver (an adult no less) who wasn't paying attention and caused 8 cars to blow up -- killing one and seriously injuring himself.

I think EVERYONE can benefit from this program, not just teens. So thanks for promoting it here on the site.

	Prince Isharsia Prince Isharsia's Adventures
date Posted: Apr 28, 2006 9:40 PM great stuff what guys are doing Some people just won't listen to you (telling them they should not drive drunk). You get in the car and they drive like The MIB, speeding and stuff well you could be sure here is one less drunk drvier (I do not drink alcohol of any kind)

Son of a Bith
The Cantina Corner

date Posted: Apr 29, 2006 9:01 AM

This is great. ILM is giving back to the community.

They did this program at my high school my sophomore year. One day, person dressed like the Grim Reaper would walk around campus selecting students out of classrooms. ( Who were secretely part of the program, of course.) Then the next day the entire student body went out to the football field, where a crash scene was set up, complete with a wrecked car and student actors in makeup. Then the Grim Reaper marched out with the rest of the students who had creepy theatrical makeup. To top it off, the next day a real casket was put in the main hallway.

The whole thing really shook the students up. It really works.

	DJ Maul: Got Feet? DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party
date Posted: May 01, 2006 6:37 PM nice thoughts. Change begins at home, and as parents it's OUR responsibilty to teach our children by example as well as word. While there are avenues to help such as the one you endorse, in the end no one else can do our job for us.

Darth Vader
Meditation Chamber

date Posted: May 02, 2006 12:42 AM

If only we had these kinds of programs here....

Norway makes a very good point. A friend told me she has to pay around $2,500 U.S. for her driving license (in Sweden). Maybe high prices for a driving license and a real driving lessons should be the rule in every country. Jail for every single person driving under the influence of alcohol and severe monetary charges after that.

I lost someone very close just 5 months ago because of an irresponsible drunk driver. It should've never happened and it must be stopped one way or another.

Any person that drinks and drives is an idiot.

Congratulations Don and LFL. What you are doing is a great start to change things around.

Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

date Posted: May 02, 2006 2:39 PM

I shudder every time I see parents driving irresponsibly w/kids in the back. With my kid in the backseat, sometimes I drive like I'm transporting china & crystal. He's more precious than any cargo, any dealine, any appointment. And shame on you for cutting me off & endangering our lives.

Drinking & driving is the ultimate betrayal - toward everyone else on the road. In your stupidity, you stamp out lives for no reason. People you don' t know you're denying them & their family life.

This sounds like a great program. Congrats on having the courage & support to do this. And maybe we should all say a heartfelt THANK YOU.

amidalooine
The Emotional Galaxy

date Posted: May 02, 2006 8:50 PM

Thank you for an excellent blog entry that shines a light on an excellent program. I witnessed a similar event at the high school where we lived several years ago. A teenager was killed while drinking and driving, and the family allowed the blodied car wteckage to be displayed on the school lawn for a while. I'll never ever forget that sight....and neither will my kids.

Three of my five children are licensed drivers with number four set to get his permit in a little over a month. I can only hope and pray that they use their best judgement...and that others on the road with them will, too.

(((DV)))

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