It's also the time of the year that many parents fear the most. The onset of better weather and the anticipation of the conclusion of another school term mean more and younger drivers are on the road. It can also mean more driving distractions for them, including cellular phones, the radio, passengers talking - and alcohol.

According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers, ages 15-20, in America. Even more tragic, in 2006, more than 2,600 youths were killed in alcohol-related accidents in the United States.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board statistics reveal, in 2006, 24 percent of deaths involving teenage drivers were the result of drivers under the influence. In that same year, an average of more than four underage drivers were involved in alcohol-related crashes each day in this commonwealth.

We applaud the students for undertaking such an ambitious project. We're sure it wasn't an easy task to complete, particularly among the students' peer group. As much as parents would like to deny its existence, teenage drinking is prevalent in all our communities. Among many teens, it is as an acceptable a practice as smoking was for an earlier generation.

Pennsylvania's Zero Tolerance Law makes it illegal for anyone younger than 21 to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood. That means a minor can be arrested for driving under the influence for as little as one sip of beer. An arrest can mean jailtime, increased insurance costs and treatment at a rehabilitation center.

While this law may seem harsh, it underscores the importance of educating our children to the realities of drinking and driving. It could also mean the difference between life and death.

Many schools at this time of year team up with local police, fire and ambulance companies for the Arrive Alive program. Students play the driver, victim and passengers of a fatal car crash. Makeup simulates blood. Classmates gather around the crumpled vehicle, the silence only broken by screams and yells of the "accident victims" and wails of sirens in the background.

We would hope "Every 15 Minutes" will have as much, if not more, of an impact on the students who view it. Adults who miss the May 21 viewing should take the time to watch it on the district's website - www.mtlsd.org.

Unfortunately, sometimes lessons are not learned until tragedies occur. We thank the students who put this film together. Hopefully, it will go a long way in helping to save the lives of many teenagers.