Founded in 2008, B.R.A.K.E.S. has already taught thousands of teens on how to be better drivers. With a fleet of cars provided by Kia Motors America, B.R.A.K.E.S offers teen driving classes throughout the U.S.
To kick of National Teen Driver Safety Week, the non-profit group offered a class in the Washington, D.C. area on October 15th and 16th. Classes were held at the Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland. However, teens and parents can register for classes nationwide at PutOnTheBrakes.org/Schedule.
How B.R.A.K.E.S. Supports Teen Driving Safety
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. But teens who graduate from B.R.A.K.E.S. are 64% less likely to be involved in a car crash. This is according to a study funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
B.R.A.K.E.S. stands for Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe. And the organization provides four-hour programs for teens and parents. These free programs include both classroom sessions and behind-the-wheel exercises. Taught by professional instructors, B.R.A.K.E.S. students learn about a number of important teen driving topics:
- Crash Avoidance: Students are taught how to make split-second decisions from behind the wheel. For example, they learn how to change lanes quickly to avoid an unexpected object without losing control of the vehicle.
- Distracted Driving: Instructors demonstrate how making phone calls, sending text messages and other distractions can lead to disaster while driving.
- Off Road Recovery: Teens are shown how to safely recover if their wheels veer off the road surface and onto the shoulder. They are taught how to regain control of the car and return safely to the road.
- Panic Stop: Proper braking techniques are discussed and demonstrated. Young drivers learn how to quickly stop a vehicle while still maintaining control. Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) are also discussed.
- Car Control: Through simulated wet road conditions, students learn how to recover from both rear and front wheel skids.
Other topics that might be covered in a B.R.A.K.E.S. session might include safe zones and blind spots. Students in certain areas also get to participate in demonstrations from police and fire-rescue agencies.
Kia Motors Supports Teen Driving Safety with B.R.A.K.E.S
Kia is the Official Vehicle of the B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School. The automaker also serves as the organization's presenting sponsor.
Through support from Kia Motors, B.R.A.K.E.S. has been able to create more teen driving schools and expand into new markets. In fact, by the end of 2016, B.R.A.K.E.S. courses will be offered in several new areas. These include towns and cities in Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee. Again, to see if a B.R.A.K.E.S. course is coming to a location near you, visit PutOnTheBrakes.org.
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