sevierville police department schedules collision avoidance training for teen drivers

In an effort to improve the driving abilities and overall safety of younger drivers, the Sevierville Police Department (SPD) has scheduled a 12-hour Collision Avoidance Training (CAT) seminar on November 20 (4:45PM-9PM) and November 21 (7:45AM-5PM), 2009. The training is for drivers aged 16-20 years old who have a valid driver’s license. The seminar is taught by SPD Officers utilizing a nationally proven program. The program fee of $60.00 covers course materials and instructors. Registration is limited to ten students.
Participants will receive both classroom and practical driving in a controlled environment utilizing their own vehicle, so that they can become familiar with the vehicle they will likely be driving on the road. We all learn many valuable lessons through mistakes; drivers will have opportunities to make mistakes on a designed driving course with a qualified instructor in their vehicle. Participants will better understand the limits of their vehicles and their own driving ability.
Participants will receive instruction and practical experience in evasive maneuvers, cornering, backing, skid recovery, off-road recovery and emergency braking. The training will provide young drivers with the knowledge and skills to be safer and less likely to experience serious collisions.
“Because of the high traffic volume in our community, we experience a significant number of traffic collisions,” said SPD Chief Don Myers. “The CAT program will improve the safety of our young drivers; I urge all parents to seriously consider this training.”
Nationally over 60% of all new drivers will be involved in a crash within the first twelve months of getting their driver’s license. Over 40% of those crashes will result in the driver being hospitalized.
During the past 9 years thousands of teens have completed this program and to date less that 6% of the students have been involved in a crash of any severity.
CAT students receive 60% less traffic citations than students that have not had this class. This is due to an attitude change.
For more information or to register your son/daughter call SPD Sgt. Rebecca Cowan at (865) 868-1866 or email rcowan@seviervilletn.org .