Sudden Impact Program

Together, we are saving lives!

Motor vehicle crashes remain in the top three mechanisms of serious and fatal injury, specifically in the adolescent population. The Sudden Impact presentation is a powerful hospital based, sophomore level program. The medical and law enforcement team provide detailed information on laws, injuries, alcohol use, crash dynamics, statistics and show case the resulting consequences. Emphasis is placed on measures to prevent the crash, establish communication with parents regarding impairment and develop a plan to offer alternatives to driving under the influence.

​A collaborative team from Terrebonne General Health System, University Medical Center, Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and DOTD, provide a researched-based, data-driven prevention program to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities.

The experience includes a debriefing, in which the team encourages communication and discussion among the class. Students speak among their peers concerning changes in attitude and behavior, the impact of the program and their intended plan. The discussion allows for peer to peer interaction.

The Mock Crash portion of the program includes an outdoor theatrical production of a motor vehicle accident highlighting poor decisions, driving under the influence, texting while driving, lack of seat belt usage and the resulting complications. ​The participants re-enact the preventable consequences due to poor choices as a driver or passenger. ​

In 2020, there were 762 fatal crashes with 828 fatalities in Louisiana. In 2021, Louisiana reached its highest fatality year with 914 fatal crashes with nearly 1,000 fatalities. We are dedicated to reducing the number of fatalities and injuries that result from motor vehicle crashes.

By increasing knowledge, encouraging positive attitudes and promoting healthy behaviors, we are saving lives!

Participating high schools and colleges include:

• High Schools
  • Terrebonne High School
  • South Terrebonne High School
  • H.L. Bourgeois High School
  • Vandebilt Catholic High School
  • Houma Christian School
  • Covenant Christian Academy
  • South Lafourche High School
  • Central Lafourche High School
  • Thibodaux High School
  • Assumption High School
  • Ellender Memorial High School
• Colleges
  • Nicholls State University
  • Fletcher Technical Community College
• Assisted Schools
  • Mount Carmel Academy
  • Jesuit High School
  • South Lafourche High School
  • U High LSU
  • Parkview Baptist School
  • De La Salle High School
  • Dutchtown High School
  • Central Private High School

To learn how your school can get involved, call (985) 850-6214 or email shelby.griffin@tghealthsystem.com.