Photo courtesy of B.R.A.K.E.S.
Whether or not your teen is a distracted driver, it's good for them to be prepared and well-versed behind the wheel — accidents can happen at any time, and sadly, car crashes are the number-one cause of death among teens.
To aid in combating this statistic, a free, hands-on driving program is coming to the Memphis International Raceway October 20th and 21st. The B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) national program was established by former drag racing champion Doug Herbert after a car crash in 2008 claimed the lives of his two teenage sons, Jon and James.
Sessions will be held each day of the event from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Per the press release, the program "offers teens extensive behind-the-wheel instruction by ex-law enforcement and professional racing drivers, teaching new drivers and their parents how to be safer on the road. Exercises include distracted driving awareness, panic braking, crash avoidance, drop wheel/off-road recovery, and car control/skid recovery."
Participants can expect three-to-one student-to-instructor ratios during their selected four-hour training session. Memphis B.R.A.K.E.S. classes are supported by National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Top Fuel champion and Drummonds, Tennessee native Clay Millican, in honor of his son Dalton, who lost his life in a 2015 motorcycle crash.
According to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Friday, "B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64% less likely to experience a crash in the first three years of driving when compared with non-graduate peers."
Program entry is free and open to the public, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information about the event or to pre-register, visit putonthebrakes.org.
Saturday, October 20th, and Sunday, October 21st, at Memphis International Raceway (5500 Victory Ln, Millington, TN 38053).