According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Motor Vehicle Safety division, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Roughly 25 to 30 percent of teen drivers will be involved in a crash within the first 12 months of getting their operator’s license.
So how does law enforcement counter this? With the Teen Driver Challenge.
The program is an advanced driving course designed to provide young drivers with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to reduce the chances of being involved in accidents or other traffic-related tragedies.
The Teen Driver program, a single-day, 10-hour program, is fully funded by the Florida Sheriff ’s Association with the assistance of the insurance industry, and the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office has opened new dates for the program within the next few months.
The program will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 1 and 8 and Feb. 5, held at the Sheriff ’s Office Training Facility at 3901 Arthur J. Gallagher Blvd. (behind Harmony Middle & High schools).
To be eligible, applicants need to be 15-19 years old and have held at least a learner’s permit for six months. Some of the topics covered include knowing the vehicle, using senses, aggressive driving and road rage, emergency braking, cornering, off-road recovery, evasive maneuvers and skid control.
For more information or to register, call the Sheriff’s Office’s Teen Driver Challenge info line at 321-697-4413, email soteen driver@osceola.org or visit https://www.osceolasheriff.org/crime-prevention/resources/youth-programs/teen-driver-challenge/.
The Florida Sheriffs Association’s Teen Driver Challenge (TDC) was created in 2007 to address the primary factors affecting teen drivers – speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving and distracted driving. More than 2,000 students participate in a TDC course each year.
