Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers, accounting for over 35% of teen fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In the wake of Massachusetts recently passing a ban on texting while driving, the state has recognized the risks associated with distracted driving. In support of this measure and educating families about the dangers of driving distractions, Toyota will offer its FREE advanced teen driving skills program, «Toyota Driving Expectations,» to nearly 600 Boston-area teens and parents. During the free-of-charge, 2.5 hour program, professional drivers will teach newly permitted and licensed teens and their parents critical defensive-driving techniques in real behind-the-wheel scenarios. Parents are also taught how to be strong driving role models and coaches for their teen drivers.
The program’s multiple driving courses and interactive classroom instruction for teens and their parents go beyond the typical driver’s training class, providing teens with the experience they need to identify and react in dangerous driving situations. An actual «distracted driving course» has teens navigate a course with potential distractions (talking and texting on a cell phone, drinking water and listening to loud music) to demonstrate just how dangerous these activities can be when behind the wheel.
- Teenage drivers are involved in fatal traffic accidents at more than twice the rate of the rest of the U.S. population, and in 2007, more than 6,500 15-to 20-year old drivers were involved in fatal automobile accidents.
- Beyond the driving education courses teens take to obtain a driver’s license, teens typically rely on parents as their primary driving teachers, even though most parents have no formal training on how to provide such instruction.
- According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), cell phone use accounts for 2,600 vehicle fatalities and 300,000 collisions annually.
WHEN:
Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(Class start times: 8 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 1:15 p.m.; 2:45 p.m.; 4:15 p.m.)
WHERE:
Bass Pro Shops
1 Bass Pro Drive
Foxborough, MA 02035
