B.R.A.K.E.S Program educates nearly 200 teen drivers in Jefferson City over the weekend
Olivia Hayes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The B.R.A.K.E.S. Program, a free teen driver training program, trained nearly 200 new teen drivers in Jefferson City over the weekend with sessions at the Missouri EVOC Training Center.
B.R.A.K.E.S. stands for “Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe.” The program was founded in 2008 by Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert, following a tragic car crash death of his two sons.
Using vehicles provided by Kia Motors, B.R.A.K.E.S. works with teens through extensive behind-the-wheel instruction. Students are taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers and stunt drivers. B.R.A.K.E.S. says more than 150,000 teens and parents have been trained over the past 17 years.
Exercises focus on the five leading causes of crashes for new drivers: distracted driving awareness, panic braking, crash avoidance, off-road recovery along with car control and skid recovery. Instructors also go over safely sharing the road with big rigs, as well as proper behavior during a traffic stop.
Anna Durrington tells ABC 17 News she drove from Buffalo, Missouri with her son to attend the course.
“When they’re stopping all of a sudden and keeping control of the vehicle, I want him to gain those skills,” Durrington said. “I feel like if he could have it from another instructor, he would do better because he just thinks mom’s nagging at him.”
Through their participation, B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64 percent less likely to be involved in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina Charlotte. In 2024, B.R.A.K.E.S. trained 16,894 teens and parents.
Paul Gash tells ABC 17 that even though he enrolled his son in the course to learn new skills, he ended up with a new skill of his own to take away.
“I learned something new today about setting or mirrors that I’m going to put into practice every day when I start driving,” Gash said.
The program heads to Michigan next.