National teenager driving safety program coming to Nebraska for first time
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Driving is something we do almost every single day. However, for teenagers that are starting out on the roads, it might seem a little scary to drive. That's one of the many reasons why a national teen safety driving program is coming to Nebraska.
The B.R.A.K.E.S Teen Driving Program was created in 2008 by Four-Time Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert after his two teenage sons were killed in a car accident.
B.R.A.K.E.S stands for Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe.
Teenagers and their parents learn valuable lessons in defensive driving through the program.
"We're teaching these teenagers and their parents life-saving skills in the car," said founder Doug Herbert. "How to avoid a bad situation or how to get out of a bad situation whether it's running into some ice or dealing with other distracted drivers."
Herbert says the program analyzes Department of Transportation statistics to mold classes in each state.
He added that the program has operated in 46 different states and this summer will be the first time they will be in Nebraska.
During sessions, parents and teenagers will be separated and taken through different trainings.
"They're each going to go with a set of professional instructors in Kia-provided vehicles," Herbert said. "They're going to do crash-avoidance training, they're going to do a distracted driver awareness course, panic stopping, analog brake demonstrations, drop-wheel recovery."
Instructors for the course include former race car drivers, law enforcement officials, and secret service members.
Herbert said the program is on track to help 20,000 people this year and since its inception, has helped over 100,000.
He added that even after 15 years of putting on the program, they still receive thank you's for all the lessons learned.
"We get letters and emails and phone calls every day from parents and teenagers saying 'Hey I learned this at the class two years ago and it saved my life today,' so it's something that is really neat," Herbert said.
Herbert said that attendees are 64% less likely to get into a car crash in a five-year period after taking the class based on statistics from the University of North Carolina.
The B.R.A.K.E.S driving program will be coming to Lincoln on Aug. 12 and 13 at the airport.
For more information about the program and how to sign up, visit this link.