Drivers under the age of 18—the ones most likely to be involved in car crashes over the last five years according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety—will learn how to stay safer on the roads thanks to Driver’s Edge, an innovative and potentially life saving instructional program. On April 29, Atlanta teens can benefit from this non-profit organization’s program with free classroom and behind-the-wheel accident avoidance instruction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2004 there were 1,634 motor vehicle related fatalities in the state of Georgia. Three hundred fifty eight (or about 22 percent) of those fatalities were the result of crashes involving young drivers aged 16-24.
Drivers Edge includes the following elements:
- Classroom and behind-the-wheel defensive driving instruction on skid control, evasive lane change maneuvers, anti-lock braking skills and panic-braking techniques, plus written tests designed to test knowledge both before and after students are behind the wheel;
- Local law enforcement interaction, including impaired driving awareness and seat belt safety; and
- Proper car maintenance session based on Firestone Complete Auto Care’s Car Care Academies.
WHAT: Driver’s Edge provides real life training for young drivers in an effort to combat the ever-increasing statistics regarding teen auto collisions and driving fatalities. This exciting half-day program presented with an “MTV” flavor includes classroom and behind the wheel training for young drivers. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend as well.
WHEN: April 29 Session 1: 8:00 a.m. (participants arrive 15 minutes early)
April 29 Session 2: 1:00 p.m. (participants arrive 15 minutes early)
WHERE: Stone Mountain Park Highway 78 East Stone Mountain, GA 30087
WHO: Jeff Payne, founder of Driver’s Edge, and his team of instructors are available for interviews. Professional racecar drivers and driving instructors teach the program, including some who currently compete in such top racing series as the Indy Racing League, the Infiniti Pro Series, the Rolex Grand Am Series and more.
Members of the media are invited to test their skills behind the wheel as well.
TO ATTEND: Young drivers, aged 15 to 21, possessing a valid learner’s permit or license must register in advance for the program online at www.driversedge.org. A total of 200 young drivers (plus their parents) have the opportunity to attend.
While the value of a comparable program is $450 per person, there is NO CHARGE for young drivers to attend Driver’s Edge, thanks to private charitable donations and the tremendous support of community-oriented sponsors such as Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC, Red Bull North America and the CarMax Foundation.
CONTACT: Laura Gates
202-354-8238 (direct)
202-213-8888 (mobile)
lgates@pstrategies.com