Sam Memmolo
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NATIONWIDE Youth Driver-Education Program Teens Get Free Hands-on 2006 Training from Professional Drivers According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds. That's why Driver's Edge, a non-profit youth driver-education program, in an effort to lower the number of traffic accidents involving youths through hands-on driver education. Experience has shown that young drivers who receive the type of training provided by Driver's Edge are better prepared to safely respond to all sorts of driving conditions, For this reason, driver education of this group is extremely important. Jeff Payne, a professional race-car driver and instructor, founded the non-profit organization in 1999 and offered the first Driver's Edge program in Las Vegas in 2002. After gaining the support of local students, parents, teachers and public officials, Payne wanted to expand the program to the rest of the country. "Driver's Edge is the only program in the country of its kind," said Payne. "Comparable programs would cost about $450 per person, but we're able to offer Driver's Edge at no cost to the students, thanks to the support of companies like Bridgestone/Firestone. Many states have done away with behind-the-wheel driving instruction in public schools, so there's a real need for this kind of hands-on education." "Teenagers are learning how to pass a test but not learning how to drive," said Payne. "Rather than pointing fingers after a teenager dies in an accident, we should be teaching them how to drive better in the first place." Before launching
Driver's Edge,
Payne spent five years researching and planning its curriculum. The
4½-hour program, which involves classroom and course instruction, teaches
students skills in At the beginning of the program, students are given a test designed to measure their driving knowledge. At the end of the program, students are given a similar test to measure how much was learned. On the average, students answer 33 percent of the questions correctly the first time and 80 percent correctly the second time. The program is offered in two sessions per day, each with about 75 students. As reinforcement, parents are encouraged to observe the sessions. As a follow-up to the program, Driver's Edge sends a questionnaire to students six months after the course has been completed. Students are asked if they've had any tickets or accidents since taking the class. The questionnaire is then sent again after 12, 24 and 36 months. "Driving is complicated," said Banks, senior manager of Community & Safety Services in AAA's traffic safety office for Northern California, Utah and Nevada. "It takes time and practice to develop safe driving habits. Programs like this help our newest drivers develop the skills they need to be safer drivers." Students may register to attend calling 877-633-EDGE (3343) or click here for 2006 schedule..
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evasive lane changes,