My father taught me to drive, and even though I’ve been driving safely for two years, he still points out various crosses on the roadside. I never really noticed them before, but he likes to look up their stories and share them with me to emphasize certain driving dangers. He once told me a story that deeply affected me about a classmate from his relatively small high school in the high desert of California. She was only 18 when she was killed on a notoriously dangerous highway. My father said that in such a small school, her death impacted everyone.
There is little doubt that driver’s education training is important. Every state requires some form of it. The state of Florida requires a state approved online course before we can even get our learner’s permit. Then, we are supposed to drive a certain number of hours. I recall at least three accidents my family has been involved in during my 18 years. One was a hit-and-run we believe was committed by a teen. The Sheriff’s office tracked down the offender, but we never found out the identity of the driver. However, I have no doubt that the teen had completed the state mandated requirements and yet, a completely preventable accident still happened. This accident really underscored that a virtual course and a few hours of driving are not adequate preparation for real world driving conditions.
The state requires about 50 hours of driving time before you can get your license. Of course, with my dad, I probably had 500 hours before I got to take my driver’s test to get my license. My father emphasized the importance of practicing in varied conditions – from driving at night to handling busy city traffic. But even after all his teaching me to drive without GPS and to parallel park, he still recognized that I needed additional training. You see, my dad was a federal agent and had to go through several driving courses during his basic training. He credits these courses with his accident-free career, noting that they equipped him with skills that go beyond conventional driver’s education.
My father signed me up for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driver Training (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe). This unique program was founded by NHRA drag racer Doug Herbert after he tragically lost his two sons in a car crash. His vision was to prevent similar tragedies by offering advanced training that goes beyond basic driver’s education. B.R.A.K.E.S. provides teens with hands-on training on a closed course, teaching them how to handle high-stakes situations such as collision avoidance, emergency braking, and recovery from hydroplaning or icy conditions.
The training is free, and at least one parent must be present. This turned out to be quite enjoyable to watch the instructors correct the parents who had a few bad habits themselves. The day began with a brief review of some basic driving topics including proper seating position, hand positioning, and basic vehicle dynamics. After finishing the classroom portion, we got to do the fun stuff – hands-on training in five courses: crash avoidance/slalom, distraction, panic stop, wheel drop, and car control. Not only were these exercises a lot of fun, but I also experienced dangers I would never have been able to try otherwise.
For example, I performed the drop wheel recovery exercise, which taught me how to effectively regain control of the car and safely return to the roadway after a drop wheel situation. Drop wheel collisions are among the highest causes of injuries and deaths across the U.S. Another exercise, extremely relevant to teens, is the distraction exercise. It demonstrates exactly how dangerous cell phones, text messaging, music, traffic, and friends in the car can be for drivers. I got to do a panic stop exercise—try getting your parents to allow that in their car. Another unadvertised feature of the training is to sit in and take pictures in a large Wal-Mart semi-truck, which allowed me to see what it's like for a semi driver and what they can and can’t see. This perspective was invaluable in understanding the blind spots and limitations that truck drivers face on the road, fostering a greater sense of empathy and caution when driving near large vehicles.
I firmly believe programs like BRAKES should be a standard component of driver’s education nationwide. While conventional driver’s education is an important prerequisite, performing actual real-world exercises does two things a book cannot: (1) It brings the dangers to life. Nothing drives home the danger of texting and driving like the distraction exercise. (2) It involves feeling and reacting to actual real-world dangers so that you know how to handle the vehicle in real life. The hands-on experience of maneuvering a vehicle in emergency situations equips young drivers with the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively under pressure.
Incorporating advanced driving programs into the standard curriculum can save lives. It transforms abstract lessons into tangible skills, reinforcing the importance of safe driving habits through practical application. The impact of such training extends beyond individual safety; it contributes to safer roads and communities. As I reflect on my own journey, I am grateful for the comprehensive training I received and the peace of mind it provides both to me and my parents.