In 2008, NHRA driver Doug Herbert’s two teen sons were killed in an automobile accident. Working through his grief, Herbert began a non-profit organization that focuses on safe driving. B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) offers a safe driving program for teens and their parents. B.R.A.K.E.S. comes to Fairplex this weekend, March 13 and 14.
B.R.A.K.E.S. is not an ordinary driving school. It supplements driver education programs by teaching young drivers how to handle emergency driving situations in a controlled environment. Working with professional drivers, teens are taken through different scenarios including skid pads, panic stops with anti-lock brakes, distractions and a slalom course. Drivers also have teens attempt to drive and pay attention while texting or talking on a cell phone – showing them that it cannot be safely done. Parents are taught the exact same driving methods so that they can continue to practice with their teens and reinforce what their teens have learned.
Herbert and his non-profit organization are based in North Carolina but hold driving programs three times a year at Fairplex and he is in attendance to speak directly with the teens. The California driving schools are sponsored by NHRA, which is dedicated to getting the message out about driver safety on the road.
Each year more than 6,000 teens are killed in automobile accidents and more than 400,000 are injured. B.R.A.K.E.S. is hoping to drastically reduce those numbers. For more information about B.R.A.K.E.S. or to register for the program, visit the Web site, putonthebrakes.com.
Check out what’s coming up at Fairplex:
RCX Radio Control Expo – March 20 and 21
Computer Fair – March 20 and 21
POAC Southwest Regional Horse Show – March 20 and 21
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