The American Motor Vehicle Administration is a central transportation agency for all motor vehicle matters in Western Canada and the U.S.

"They couldn't believe we were able to put together a video that so easily identifies high-risk behaviour," said Gary Walsh of the territorial Department of Transportation motor vehicle branch.

Produced by the motor vehicles branch, Stanton Regional Hospital and the Department of Education, the video identifies high-risk behaviour and how it can affect people's lives.

Based on the PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) program, the video was introduced as a strategy against impaired driving.

The production identifies the effects of high-risk behavior through personal stories from people affected by alcohol-related accidents.

"Johnny Bowden identifies the torment and sorrow," said Walsh. "He identifies the effect of high-risk behaviour and how it can effect the rest of us."

Bowden's son was seriously injured when the family car was hit by a drunk driver.

While the PARTY program is specifically aimed at Grade 9 students, "Having a Good Time" is geared at all high school students and is fast becoming a tool to prevent accidents that result from high risk behaviour.

The video, which cost less than $60,000 to make, was the first entry for the motor vehicle branch. Based on the success of the video to date, it has been sent on to an international competition.

Richard MacDonald, director of the motor vehicle branch, said that winning the award attests to the strength of the video and the potential impact it can have on students.

"Getting an award where you're competing against places like California and British Columbia is surely a feather in our cap," he said. "It shows we've put out a good program."