B.R.A.K.E.S. Enrolling Teens Now-June 20 for Free, Life-saving Driving Skills Training

Teens and their parents can sign up now through June 20 for a free, safe driving skills course taught by some of the nation’s top drivers on a mission to save lives. Be Responsible and Put On the Brakes (B.R.A.K.E.S.), started by champion top fuel drag racer Doug Herbert after he lost his sons in a 2008 highway accident, will be at the Fairplex for four half-day training sessions Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29. Registration is open at PutOnTheBRAKES.org.

“We’ve trained 10,000 teenagers already, but it’s not enough,” Herbert says. “Five-thousand other families each year are still receiving the call I did, so the work of B.R.A.K.E.S. will continue in an effort to save lives and bring that number down.

“Our training goes way beyond what is taught in a typical driver’s ed course, and some of the best in the business are in the car with these teens offering the instruction…some of them even train the Secret Service to drive our nation’s leaders. We put them through an actual skid on a watered-down surface and take them on uneven pavement, through obstacles and put them in a ‘distracted driver’ setting…it’s the real deal. They come away amazed and thanking us and their parents every time.”

Attendees must be 15 – 19 years old with a permit or driver’s license and 30+ hours of seat time. A parent is required to attend with their teen. After registering, a confirmation will be sent requesting a $99 refundable check to hold a spot. Classes usually fill up fast. For more information on how to bring B.R.A.K.E.S. to additional communities or to make a tax-deductible donation to B.R.A.K.E.S, which is a 501 (c)(3), please log on to www.putonthebrakes.org.

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