RICHMOND, Va. — BRAKES will host free teen driver safety training at Richmond Raceway Complex this weekend, providing essential skills for new drivers.
The nonprofit organization will offer three-hour sessions on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is available to teens and their parents.
According to Roger Campbell, East Coast Training Manager for BRAKES, the program emphasizes real-world driving skills through practical exercises and classroom instruction.
“There is nothing better than a well-trained driver,” Campbell said.
The training sessions include 30 minutes of classroom time and three hours of behind-the-wheel practice, focusing on common crash causes like skid recovery, crash avoidance, and distracted driving.
Campbell noted that the distracted driving exercise has a significant impact on participants. “We try to distract them to prove they cannot focus on two things at one time,” he said.
Participants will also use impairment goggles to learn about driving under the influence. “The goal is to show them what impaired driving looks like,” Campbell stated.
An independent study from the University of North Carolina Charlotte found that teens completing the program are 64% less likely to be involved in a crash within their first three years of driving. Campbell referenced that 50% of teenagers will experience a car crash before graduating high school.
BRAKES was established in 2008 by drag racing champion Doug Herbert after losing his two sons in a car crash. The organization has trained over 250,000 teens nationwide.
For registration and more information, visit BRAKES.