We read about young drivers getting into terrible wrecks every week. You may glance at the article … and tell yourself, “Well, my kid would never drive like that.”Hopefully, you have instilled good judgment on your young driver; he/she is focused, alert, and in control of his/her vehicle at all times. Then you read about the “good kid” who dies in a one-car wreck and you think “must have over-corrected or panicked. I hope my kid never gets in that situation.” Hope … is not a strategy. Fortunately, learning to properly recognize and respond to an emergency driving situation is something that can be taught. In fact, it’s the focus of Tire Rack Street Survival, the largest defensive driving program in the country. Street Survival is returning to Portland on Sunday, October 2.
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading killer of American youths aged 16 to 19. Street Survival is an outstanding, one-day program, 100% focused on teaching young drivers car control techniques for safer driving. Here’s your opportunity to provide your son or daughter the skills he/she needs to respond to a driving emergency in a proven program, at a very reasonable cost, at a close by venue: Portland International Raceway. Having led the Tire Rack Street Survival program since introducing it to the Region in 2008, I can tell you it has been an overwhelming success. Yet, I can fearlessly predict that even driving enthusiasts, with young drivers at home, do not all sign up their kids. Let me also share with you the most common reasons not to enroll your kid:
“My son/daughter is a good driver”
“There’s no way my teenager is getting up early on a Sunday morning to go to a ‘driving school.’”
“My son/daughter has an SAT prep class that day”
Some things you can put off – please don’t make it the class that can save your kid’s life. Through the Street Survival program, students are coached on the driving skills necessary to control a car in an emergency. Over 90% of students are registered for the Street Survival program by their parents. I urge you to enroll your young drivers in this program. Of all the things we can do as parents to give our kids a leg up – advanced driver training should go to the top of the list. Enrollment is on-line at www.streetsurvival.org, click the link to "School Schedule/Registration."
The October 2 event will be held in parking area of Portland International Raceway. This is not a speed event; cars will NOT be driven on the race track. Students gain valuable skills to improve their driving techniques in controlled conditions with an in-car instructor. During this one-day event, students spend some time in a classroom to gain insight on driving dynamics. The program’s emphasis is on giving students new skills to improve their driving techniques behind the wheels of their own cars. Students drive through real-world exercises, with an instructor in the next seat to provide immediate feedback. While educational, students have a great time – parents are equally impressed with Street Survival, as Oregon Region consistently earns top ratings by parents & students on post-class evaluations.
Due to sponsorship from Tire Rack, BMWCCA Foundation, and SCCA Foundation, the total out of pocket cost is only $75. Any licensed driver age 16 - 25 is eligible to participate. Students must supply their own vehicle (vans/trucks/SUV’s must have electronic stability control or a 3+ star rollover rating) in safe, running condition, along with proof of insurance, and a valid driver’s license. 15 ½ year olds with a valid learning permit and a minimum of six months of driving experience are allowed to participate. Please sign up today.
Regards,
Jim Weidenbaum
Oregon Region Street Survival Chair
