September 1, 2005

Learning to handle your need for speed

Race car drivers to teach young drivers how to avoid crashes

AAA of Northern California is inviting drivers age 15 to 21 to sign up for a free life-saving safety-training program Sept. 17 in Dublin.

This exciting half-day, MTV-style program will include classroom and behind-the-wheel training with expert instruction on skid control, evasive lane changes, panic braking, combating unexpected situations and more. The program is run by professional racecar drivers and driving instructors.

“Similar courses cost up to $450,” said Sean Comey, spokesperson for AAA of Northern California. “There is no cost for young drivers to attend this program, but space is limited, so if you or someone you know could benefit from this opportunity, now is the time to sign up.”

Grim statistics show the nature of the problem the course is designed to address:

• Every day over 1,330 16- to 20-year-olds are killed or injured in auto-related collisions.

• Car collisions are the number-one killer of young people in the United States.

• Every 15 seconds of every day a driver aged 15-20 is involved in a police reported collision.

• The crash involvement rate for young drivers is 150 percent greater than the average driver.

• Approximately three out of 20 young drivers will be involved in an automobile collision each year.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

AAA has teamed up with former professional racecar driver and instructor Jeff Payne to sponsor the Driver’s Edge program.

“In corporate training programs,” Payne said, “We’ve had up to an 80 percent reduction in the number of accidents. For teenagers, we conservatively estimate that we will see at least a 35 percent reduction in potentially life threatening crashes among people who complete the program.”

Two programs will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 17; one at 8 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. A total of 200 young drivers (plus their parents) will have the opportunity to participate. Spaces are available for young drivers between the ages of 15 and 21 who possess a valid driver’s license or permit.

To register, visit www.driversedge.org or call (702) 896-6482.