On Saturday, April 21, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will launch the Florida Sheriffs Association sponsored teen driver challenge in our county.
The teen driver challenge was created in 2007 to address the many challenges teen drivers face and this successful program is used across the state to help teens become better drivers. The program is offered at no cost and is taught by Deputies certified as driving instructors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Motor Vehicle Safety Division, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers. Roughly 25-30 percent of teen drivers will be in a crash within 12 months of getting their operator’s license.
Our goal is to equip our teen drivers with the tools that will prevent them from becoming a statistic. TDC students must be licensed drivers and have use of a vehicle they usually operate for the driving portion of the class. Applicants will be notified in advance when scheduled to attend.
This is a defensive driving course that covers various topics including: teen crash facts, knowing your vehicle, using your senses, vehicle dynamics, drug and alcohol use, emergency braking, backing, cornering, evasive maneuvers, and skid control.
The inaugural class will be held at Fort White High School between 8-5 and media is welcome to attend. Future classes will be announced through the county’s high schools, our social media accounts and website.
“I’m happy to have this program in our county.” Sheriff Mark Hunter said, “I believe it will pay huge dividends in the future by creating safer drivers that will benefit our entire community.”
