- April 26, 2024
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The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is offering a new defensive driving program for teens on Nov. 19 at the Flagler Palm Coast High School.
The FCSO is now among 39 counties in Florida to offer the Teen Driver Challenge program, which seeks to educate teens on the dangers of driving impaired, the importance driving using their senses and teaching teens safe driving maneuvers, according to a press release from FCSO.
The program is free and available to teens with valid Florida driver’s license and a vehicle they regularly drive. The class will begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 19, in the building eight parking lot at the rear of the school.
“This program is a terrific way for young drivers to learn about common safety issues specific to their age,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Completing this course will give them the tools and knowledge they need to
avoid accidents, save lives and drive responsibly.”
To pass the course, participants will need to complete the driving exercises and pass the classroom portion. The instructor will teach the following maneuvers, according to the press release: backing, cornering, taking evasive action, figure eights, threshold/emergency braking, forward/reverse serpentine, skid control and off-road recovery.
The Florida Sheriff's Association's Teen Driving Program was created in 2007, according to their website. The program was created to address issues affecting teens while driving — "speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting while driving and distracted driving," are the key factors listed on their website.
The FSA states on the website that the instructors are sheriffs’ deputies licensed as commercial driving school instructors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's, motor vehicle crashes is a leading cause of death for teens. The CDC also indicates "25% to 30% of teenagers will be involved in a traffic accident within a year of obtaining their driver’s license," according to the release.
More than 2,000 teenagers participate in an FSA Teen Driver Challenge program annually, the website states, with more applying than there are availability.
FCSO's program will be taught by one sworn instructor and five sworn trainers, all certified by the FSA. The instructors, the press release said, were certified in September, prior to Hurricane Ian.
Anyone in need of more information can contact FCSO about it at: [email protected]
