Defensive Driving “Boot Camp” for Teen Drivers Coming to Six Flags Great Adventure Nov. 23

JACKSON, N.J. - Nov. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of death for those 15-24 is motor vehicle crashes.   So what’s a concerned parent to do when the time comes for their child to get behind the wheel?

Drive Safer (http://www.drivesafer.com), a New Jersey company devoted to improving safety among young drivers, thinks it has the answer.  Hosting car control and defensive driving “boot camps” throughout the region, Drive Safer puts teens behind the wheel with certified high performance driving experts as instructors.  Call it drivers ed on steroids.

Drive Safer presents its inaugural boot camp in Jackson, New Jersey on Nov. 23, 2014, at the parking lot of Six Flags Great Adventure.  As Drive Safer partners, both Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty high schools will help make students and parents aware of the event, and students will save $15 on the registration fee at school-specific websites.  Additionally, each school will receive a portion of the proceeds from the event to support student programs.

The Drive Safer boot camp qualifies as a state-approved defensive driving course, so participants may be eligible to earn discounts off their car insurance for three years (percentages vary with the insurer) and expunge two points from their record, if they have points.

“Unfortunately Jackson has had its share of tragedy in recent memory, so we’re definitely interested in keeping our students responsible and safe when they get behind the wheel,” said Kyle Brunson, vice principal, Jackson Memorial High School.  “The Drive Safer program at Great Adventure is a great way to give them hands-on experience on how a car functions in various situations, and how to make wise decisions.”

Drive Safer’s six-hour course is comprised of classroom instruction and hands-on driving experience.  The behind-the-wheel instruction covers essential defensive driving techniques and car control skills, including panic braking, hazard avoidance, and skid prevention/recovery, among other skills.  The classroom portion includes everything from statistics and the dangers of distracted driving, to vehicle control and using peripheral vision.

“The answer to saving the lives of young drivers from car crashes is to help them gain experience in both the mental and physical aspects of driving.  We put them in simulated conditions and help them learn and practice what to do when things don’t go as planned,” said Jason Friedman, Drive Safer’s CEO.  “Unfortunately, teens usually get this type of experience through on-the-job training, when they’re on their own and find themselves in a bad spot. Once they finish panicking, if there’s time left to react, they have to guess at what to do.  That’s insane!”

The Jackson Drive Safer course begins at 9 a.m. on Nov. 23.  The course is open to any licensed or permit driver, and a parent or guardian must attend if the student is under 18.  Parents are welcome to participate in the classroom instruction.  Registration is $279 in advance, or $299 on-site.  Lunch is included.  To register, visit http://www.drivesafer.com or call (201) 485-7792.

About Drive Safer

Drive Safer provides the premier car control and defensive driving courses in the U.S., preparing students to control their vehicles in the face of real-world distractions and dangers that take thousands of lives annually. Drive Safer’s certified high performance driving instructors provide hands-on training ensuring that students know how to handle and avoid hazardous behind the wheel situations. Drive Safer also partners with high schools to provide in-classroom workshops and presentations and has a fundraising program which donates a percentage of registration fees back to partner schools.  For more information on Drive Safer, including courses, dates, locations and fundraising programs, please visit http://www.drivesafer.com.