B.R.A.K.E.S. Free Teen Defensive Driving Program Reaches Milestone, Instructs 20,000th Student
Free Teen Pro-Active Driving Program led by drag racing champion Doug Herbert, on a mission to save lives
CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 8, 2016 – B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), a non-profit offering free defensive driver training to teens and their parents, announced milestone instructing 20,000th teen July 31, 2016.
“Car crashes are the number-one cause of death among teens in this country, and we started B.R.A.K.E.S. eight years ago to try and do something about that,” said Herbert, who founded B.R.A.K.E.S. in 2008 after he lost his two young sons in a tragic car crash. “After years of hard work, we’ve trained our 20,000th student and the program continues to build momentum. Every event puts one more teen on the road that is prepared for an emergency situation.”
B.R.A.K.E.S. classes are four hours, beginning with a classroom session followed by behind-the-wheel driving exercises including panic braking, crash avoidance and car control, and distracted driving avoidance, all free of charge and taught by professional instructors.
About B.R.A.K.E.S.
Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving. The Concord, North Carolina Teen Pro-Active Driving School was founded in 2008 after Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash. Although devastated by his loss, Doug decided to turn his grief into something positive and created a driving program in the hopes of preventing other families from experiencing similar tragedy. Over 20,000 teens from over 35 different states and three countries – and their parents – have graduated from the B.R.A.K.E.S.’ intensive half-day training course, which is free of charge and features hands-on skills exercises taught by professional instructors in a fleet of new vehicles donated by Kia Motors America. The course maintains a low three-to-one student-to-instructor ration and requires a least one parent to attend with each teen.
Learn more about upcoming classes and Doug’s story at: www.putonthebrakes.org.
"The BRAKES experience was fantastic! I thought the training was superb and that the entire experience was fantastic. I really enjoyed speaking with Doug and Matt - both great guys. The rain made for even better training for Connor! I told Doug that I really want to help promote other Orlando BRAKES events. I have a great deal of experience organizing large events and am certain that I can pack the classes. I also spoke to the ladies from Mannheim's and they were excited about future events too. I am not sure how many kids I was able to get to the classes in the short notice, but I know it was at least 5. Thanks again for the help and I look forward to working with you in the future!"
-Christopher R. Townsend
"Thank you again I truly appreciate it. I also wanted to say that my son loved your course! He was a little apprehensive at the thought of taking the course being a new driver but once he got there he truly enjoyed it. I personally applaud you all for what you are doing. Unfortunately Driver's Education really misses the mark when it comes to preparing teens and new drivers for the dangers of the road. I spent 14 years as a Police Officer and some of the best training I got was the skills I learned from our driving course. You and your team absolutely put together a course that closely mimics the instruction I received and I couldn't be more impressed. Thank you again for all you do!"
-Parent, New Hampshire
