Local teens are getting a dramatic lesson in just how dangerous it can be behind the wheel. The non-profit group "Driver's Edge" came to Reno for its eighth year, with a powerful message for our youngest drivers.
Most of the teens who came out to the Regional Public Safety Training Center on Spectrum Drive were expecting a fun outing, but the purpose is deadly serious. As Driver's Edge founder Jeff Payne looked over the area's newest drivers, he ominously told us, "Every day in this country there's around 900 16-to-20 year olds injured or killed in an automobile collision. It is by far, not just the number 1 killer of Nevada's youth, but America's youth as well." As for why that is, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper William Gibson shook his head and said, "Teens like to have other teens in the car with them."
Texting, cell phones, friends in the car…when it comes to teens, Trooper Gibson has seen all 3, too often. He knows the hands-on "Driver's Edge" lesson works. "It does hit them. It hits them very effectively, as far as what could happen."
Whereas your typical driver's ed class will teach teens with facts and practice, this hands-on session affects them on an emotional level as well. Driver's Edge puts them behind the wheel in a panic situation. We got into one of the test cars with 16-year olds Katie Gelmstedt and Kayleigh Monachelli, 2 Fernley High School students who just began driving. Their instructor ran through the basics of what they were to do behind the wheel, and warned them, "What's going to happen is the back end is going to slide around."
The instructor gave them both fair warning...they're going to do something they've never done before. Once behind the wheel, they got a final instruction: "If you're in a slide, you never want to add more power to it. You don't want to brake because it'll make the slide worse."
Her turn in the driver's seat, Katie put the pedal to the metal on slick pavement, hitting the brakes and getting out of a skid. After a loud screech, the instructor gave an approving, "good!" Next up, Kayleigh floored the accelerator right in front of a sharp curve, to purposely lose traction. Another loud screech as all 3 were tossed around inside the car.
Several moments later, on solid ground, Katie is stunned at just how powerful and dangerous even a small car can be. She told us, "It pretty much can kill you if you're not doing it right, and you don't know how to control it. I know how to get out of a skid now."
And so does Kayleigh, who just got her learners permit 4 months ago. She now knows, "How to control your car, and it's easy to do if you know how to do it."
Driver's Edge is here through Sunday, giving nearly 1,200 area teens and parents the opportunity to take part in this free life-saving program. The program is filled up this year, but you can get a jump on next year's visit. To learn more, or to sign your kids up, click the link: www.driversedge.org
-written by John Potter
