Amelia A. Pridemore
Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and federal government studies indicate most of those accidents were preventable.
Now, the Beckley Police Department is offering advanced teen driver training, designed to prevent such accidents.
On April 16-17, the department will offer an advanced defensive driving and vehicle control program. It is designed to teach teen drivers about vehicle dynamics many experienced drivers have learned the hard way.
Sgt. J.R. Corey said teens who have had a driver’s license at least six months are eligible. He emphasized this is not a driver education course. It is “hands-on, intensive” training.
Corey said the course will be open to all eligible teens who live in Beckley, outside city limits or even outside West Virginia.
The training fee is $98.50.
Beckley P.D. will be the first state agency to offer the training, but Corey said other departments should be offering their own soon.
Vehicle accidents account for more than one-in-three deaths for people ages 16-19, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Per mile driven, drivers that age are four times more likely to wreck than older drivers. Most wrecks involving younger drivers are considered “avoidable.”
The program’s object is enhancing young drivers’ awareness of a motor vehicle operation’s complex task. It will also provide an opportunity to practice skills that will prepare the teens to anticipate and handle hazards occurring on a daily basis and under normal driving conditions.
The training will be divided into two segments — education and skills. Corey said topics in the first day’s classroom training will include driver responsibilities and liabilities, vehicle dynamics and intoxicating substances’ effects.
Corey noted the course will also cover driver distraction. Cell phone use and texting can be a problem, but so can loud music or talking with passengers.
For the skills segment, students will drive the vehicle they drive most and with certified driving instructors, according to Corey. They will learn evasive maneuvers, proper cornering, backing and skid recovery. They will only be allowed to move to the next exercise if the instructors believe they have shown a reliable degree of skill.
The department offered its first class last year, and feedback from parents was positive, Corey said. He noted some insurance companies may offer discounts, but interested parties should contact their individual insurance companies to be sure.
Those seeking more information about the program can call 304-256-1717 or e-mail jcorey@beckleypd.com.
To register teens for the April class, parents will need to call the National Traffic Safety Administration at 1-800-656-6507.
