Little Rock, Arkansas – Teen driving safety is more important than ever, and a unique program aimed at teaching young drivers essential car control skills recently made a two-day stop in Little Rock. The B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Driving Course is a nationwide initiative designed to give teenagers a crucial set of skills to help them navigate the dangers of the road. The program, which focuses on emergency situations and practical skills, continues to gain traction as one of the most effective ways to ensure teen drivers are prepared for the unexpected.
The course is led by Matt Reilly, the senior instructor for B.R.A.K.E.S., who emphasized the importance of spreading their mission across the state of Arkansas. “We’re teaching these kids car control, how to prepare themselves for emergency panic situations out there on the streets and highways,” Reilly said. The driving course is especially critical in Arkansas, a state that has been ranked 5th in the nation for teen traffic deaths, underscoring the urgent need for improved driver education.
B.R.A.K.E.S. is more than just a traditional driving course; it’s a hands-on experience that teaches teens to handle a vehicle in dangerous situations that could arise on the road. It’s a program born out of personal tragedy. Doug Herbert, a drag car racing star, founded B.R.A.K.E.S. after experiencing the heartbreaking loss of his sons, Jon and James, in a highway crash. The loss fueled his passion to help other parents avoid a similar fate. His vision, paired with the efforts of experts like Reilly, is making a significant impact across the country.
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The B.R.A.K.E.S. program not only focuses on the mechanics of driving, but also on the factors that contribute to teen crashes, like distracted driving. Reilly points to the ever-present issue of electronics, stating, “Right now, for the teens it’s distracted driving—the electronics that they have in their hands.” This issue has been a key factor in the rise of teen traffic accidents and is something the course addresses head-on by emphasizing the importance of staying focused behind the wheel.
The course itself includes exercises that challenge students to confront real-world scenarios like wet roads, icy conditions, and emergency braking. Participants, like Clara Hoffhines, have found the experience invaluable. Hoffhines, a young driver who took part in the course, shared how the program helped boost her confidence. “Sometimes it just takes practice just getting things down and once you know exactly what to do you can do it anywhere,” she said. Her words reflect the confidence-building aspect of the course, which is designed not only to teach skills but also to create a sense of control in high-pressure situations.
For many teens, like Hoffhines, the course starts off intimidating, but through repetition and guidance, they become more familiar with the techniques that could one day save their lives. “I was a little nervous at first but then after doing it a couple of times I got more aware and felt more comfortable,” she added. This hands-on practice enables teens to feel more comfortable behind the wheel, especially when they find themselves in situations that require quick thinking and fast reflexes.
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The B.R.A.K.E.S. course is making a difference, and for the families of Arkansas, the course’s stop in Little Rock couldn’t have come at a more vital time. By equipping teens with the skills to handle dangerous road conditions and respond to unexpected scenarios, the program is working toward reducing teen traffic fatalities. Through real-world lessons on car control, distraction prevention, and emergency response, the course provides invaluable tools for saving lives on the road.
In addition to its life-saving goals, B.R.A.K.E.S. is part of a broader movement to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, particularly among teenagers. As the program continues to travel across the country, its mission remains clear: to make sure that young drivers have the skills they need to stay safe, no matter what the road throws their way.
