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Driver's Edge program helps youth stay safe on the road
By: Christopher Amos 3.1.05
When we think of threats to the lives of young
people, violence, drugs and even HIV/AIDS comes to mind. But
another threat looms large. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) reports that automobile collisions remain
the number one killer of America’s youth. A 2003 agency
report confirms that over 7,800 drivers between the ages of 15
and 20 died in motor vehicle collisions that year. Driver’s
Edge, a non-profit organization, is working to combat these statistics,
offering free classroom and on-road instruction. To date, more
than 100,000 youth and their parents have attended the free,
half-day Driver’s Edge programs.
“Driver’s Edge is helping save the lives of
America’s youth,” said Jeff Payne, president, CEO and founder of
Driver’s Edge. “We live in a country where people
are not really taught how to drive. They are merely taught how
to pass a test -- the basic fundamentals of how to operate a
vehicle is not going to prepare a young driver for real world
driving hazards.”
According to Mark A. Emkes, chairman and CEO of Bridgestone
Americas Holding, a Driver’s Edge sponsor, youth make up
only 6.4 percent of all drivers but account for 18 percent of
all collisions. Driver’s Edge participants learn from professional
racecar drivers and performance driving instructors---people
who certainly know the importance of safe driving.
Unlike comparable programs costing upwards of $450, Driver’s
Edge is free, allowing all drivers, regardless of social or economic
background, to participate. After the program, Driver’s
Edge contacts students at six, twelve and twenty-four month intervals,
following up on their driving experiences after course completion.
The program includes the following elements:
- Written tests measuring students’ knowledge before
and after driving instruction.
- Defensive driving instruction including skid control,
evasive lane change maneuvers and anti-lock and panic-braking
skills.
- Law enforcement interaction, including impaired driving
awareness and seat belt safety.
- Car maintenance, based on Firestone Complete Auto Care’s
award-winning Car Care Academies. The 30 year-old academies
are a new addition to the Driver’s Edge program this
year.
The third Driver’s Edge National Tour kicks
off March 5 in Los Angeles, stopping in thirteen cities including
first-time visits to Denver and Seattle. Programs will also be
offered in Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis,
Nashville, Phoenix, Reno, Washington, D.C. and an undetermined
northern California city.
Drivers aged 15 to 21 with a valid learner’s permit or
license can register in advance by phone at 1-877-633-EDGE (3343),
or online at www.driversedge.org.
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