"We have one mission on mind, which is save lives and make a difference on the highways," said Jeff Payne, founder of Driver's Edge.Â
This weekend, the program is in Northern Nevada, teaching as many as 1,100 teenagers and parents critical driving skills. After all, car crashes are the number one killer of America's teens, according according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is the 11th year Driver's Edge has been teaching area teens.
"No one these days are really taught how to drive," said Payne. "They're simply taught how to pass a test, yet everyone blames young drivers on being reckless, immature, and feeling like their invincible behind the wheel. The reality is they've never been shown what to do in the first place."
15-year-old Jennifer Coffey is a student at Spanish Springs High School.Â
"It's just great to know what to do when something goes bad," she said.
She's learning how to get out of a skid, by purposefully getting into a skid, training that could potentially save her life one day. Â Â
"If I were to get into one of those situations, then I would feel a lot more comfortable," said Coffey.
"I tell kids, 'what does Mark McGuire do when he hits a baseball? You got to look at it," said instructor Bryan Germone. "The same thing is in driving. I like to say, "look for hope, not reality. If you look where you want to go, the car will end up there."
The program also teaches evasive lane changes, anti lock braking skills, and the dangers of distractions. Â Â Â
"We're trying to prove that teens are not all out of control if you take the time to show them what to do in the first place," said Payne. "I know we're making a difference."
Similar programs cost upwards of $450, but Nevada teens get it for free thanks to a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety.
Classes this weekend are full, but there will be another session in September, after State Farm Insurance presented a check for $40,000.Â
Once enrollment opens up, it fills up quickly. Here's a link to Driver's Edge. Enrollment for the September session should open up mid-August.Â
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