KANSAS CITY, Kans. — Nathan Wilburn is learning how to safely correct his car if it skids off the road during bad weather.
It’s a skill the 14-year-old, who recently got his farm permit, has never had to do before, but now he knows how.
“I learned it’s a lot more difficult than I thought it would be to drive and try to correct the car,” said Nathan.
The skid course is one of many hands on training activities Nathan and his family participated in on Sunday at the B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-active Driving School.
B.R.A.K.E.S. stands for Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe.
There’s so many little things that they are not prepared for through a typical Driver's Ed program,” said Matt Reilly, B.R.A.K.E.S. director of operations.
Nathan’s sister Kailey is taking the class too.
“Actually, I learned a lot,” said Kailey.
The driving course simulates real-life situations.
“If they hit ice, if they have a deer jump out in front of them, if they drop wheels off the edge of the road, what happens when you get distracted as a driver,” said Reilly.
A lot of teen drivers learn their bad habits from their parents, which is why moms and dads are taking the class too.
“We’re all learning a lot today,” said Jay Wilburn, Nathan and Kailey’s father.
These classes are held across the country.
Trooper Don Hughes with the Kansas Highway Patrol says they wanted to bring the program here for a reason.
They have seen a rise in teen fatalities on the road.
“We’re looking to see what we can do to reduce the number of teen fatalities,” said Hughes.
For parents, this course gives them peace of mind about sending their young drivers out on the roads.
“I just want to give my children all the opportunities they can to be safe drivers,” said Jay.
A recent study shows that teens who take the B.R.A.K.E.S. pro-active driving class are 64% less likely to crash.
Organizers say they plan to come back to Kansas City for more classes next summer.
For more information, you can visit their website.
