TWS Launches Teen Survival Driving Academy

Wednesday, 15 July 2009 14:49

Texas World Speedway Launches Teen Survival Driving Academy

By LISA GORZYCKI

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas, July 15, 2009 -- The Texas World Speedway is set to launch an all new Teen Survival Driving Academy next month. Unique to other defensive driving courses and driving schools in this Brazos County, the program is structured as an interactive learning experience that goes above and beyond the typical cookie cutter driving course curriculum.

Concerned and aware that the teen driving death toll is on the rise in the Brazos Valley, the Texas World Speedway is taking the challenge to reduce and hopefully eliminate this death toll altogether in the future.

As quoted in the last Saturday's edition of The Eagle, "In 2008, 22 fatalities were reported in the Brazos Valley from accidents involving teen drivers, up from 14 in 2003, according to crash reports from Texas law enforcement agencies. Nine fatalities have been reported in 2009, but the reports did not include fatalities from about the last two months because of the time it takes for the data to be reported."

Also quoted in The Eagle, "Bernie Fette, a research specialist at the Texas Transportation Institute, said driver training programs may not be effectively preparing teen drivers for all the dangers of driving at such a young age."

This new Teen Survival Driving Academy may just be the key in reaching these teens with a hands-on learning initiative.

J.C. Kester, the TSDA program coordinator and lead instructor, said the TSDA was prompted as a fun and interactive way to teach young drivers basic car control skills and accident avoidance techniques they can use for a lifetime. 

"We have designed a course here at Texas World Speedway to give teens the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their car in dangerous and often deadly situations," reported Kester. 

The TSDA replicates dangerous situations in a safe and controlled environment at TWS. Not only will the course teach how to take control and avoid an accident, but it will also take the initiative to discuss the dangers of cell phones and alcohol, and how to properly maintain a vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive. "The best part is, we don't simply preach these dangers...we show them in several different interactive events that they participate in," said Kester.

So how does this Academy fluctuate from State Driving Courses and Defensive Driving?

What really sets this course apart from the State Driving Courses and Defensive Driving is that it takes the students out of the classroom, places them behind the wheel, and shows them what it feels like to nearly lose control of a vehicle.

"Both the state driving and defensive driving courses cover dangerous driving situations but they don't actually show you what these situations feel like-and then how you can overcome the situation and stay in control," said Kester.

In addition to this hands-on driving experience, students could see insurance breaks from taking the course. After completion, an official Certificate of Completion and a copy of the course curriculum is provided to present to your Insurance provider.

"Most insurance providers will provide up to a 10% discount for the next three years for courses such at the Teen Survival Driving Academy," Kester said. "It is always a good idea to check with your  insurance provider to learn what your discounts will be."

It is highly encouraged for all students to participate in their own vehicle, so each can become accustomed to how their vehicle reacts in different situations. A vehicle will be provided at no extra charge if a student does not have one or is uncomfortable using their own.

The TSDA hopes to run one to two times a month and is designed to take only four hours, most of which is devoted to getting the students behind the wheel. There is limited seating for each class size to provide the best instruction possible for each student. For more information and registration dates, please visit www.TexasWorldSpeedway.com.

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