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Thursday, December 4, 2008

Program puts teen drivers to the test
10/04/2008 05:46 PM
By: Bryn Hough

The drivers looked reckless.


They slipped and slid all over a wet track, knocking over cones and spinning their vehicles nearly out of control.


Although what they were doing looked dangerous, they were actually learning life-saving techniques.


It was part of a program for 50 drivers and their parents called the First Brakes Teen Proactive Driving School. It was just one component of a project called Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, or BRAKES.


Doug Herbert, a drag racer, started BRAKES after his two sons were killed in a car accident in January.


Lifesavers
News 14 Carolina's Bryn Hough has more on a program designed to save teens' lives on the roads.
"I knew I had to do something to get teenagers to realize how dangerous driving can be," Herbert said.


And that effort has turned into a campaign to teach teen drivers valuable lessons.


"The most important safety feature in the car isn't necessarily the seatbelt or the brakes, but the driver," Herbert said. "The driver is the most important safety feature in any car."


The driving school has three different courses: a wet skid, a brake and turn and a distraction course, where students learn the dangers of distracted driving.


Something many who took part in the event say is a great idea.


"It's hands on," said Gerry Clemmer, of the Gaston County Police Department. "You know, we can go and put you in a classroom, and we can show you PowerPoint. I can show you slides, but there's nothing like hands-on."


And student drivers agreed.


"I'm getting my license soon and I really don't want to get into an accident, because then insurance will go up and everything," Meredith Hatley said. "So I thought, OK, if I go to this, it'll help me from being in an accident."


As for Doug Herbert, he said he hopes his driving school will keep kids safe.


"I don't want other parents to get the phone call that I got, when their kids aren't going to come home," Herbert said.







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