Sonoma Raceway hosts free safe-driving course for teens

Looking to save lives and make roadways safer, the national teen driving school B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) makes its Nor Cal debut with free training sessions on January 20 and 21 at Sonoma Raceway.

The BRAKES class is not Driver’s Ed. It is a hands-on, advanced driver training program taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers and stunt drivers. 

Training sessions will be held:

• January 20 (Saturday) classes start at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 3 p.m.
• January 21 (Sunday) classes start at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Exercises include Distracted Driving Awareness, Panic Braking, Crash Avoidance, Drop-wheel/Off-road Recovery and Car Control/Skid Recovery. Register at www.putonthebrakes.org

Teens who graduate from BRAKES. are 64 percent less likely to be in a car crash up to three years after completing training. crashes are among the leading causes of death among teens. BRAKES grads are 64 percent less likely to get in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The charity was founded by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert in honor of his two sons, Jon and James, who lost their lives in a tragic car crash in 2008.