Sign-Up for Free P.R.I.D.E. Courses for Driver Education

Did you know that in Georgia, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens?

Most seasoned drivers are not aware of this fact, but most importantly our new teen drivers taking the wheel for the first time do not realize this either. In an effort to address and educate teens and their parents on this problem, the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute (G.T.I.P.I.) developed a statewide program called Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error.)

Parents with teen drivers should be aware of the recent changes in the TADRA Law that put them directly in their child’s passenger seat. Basically, the law states that any teen who applies for a driver’s license must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult sign a verification form affirming that the new driver has completed 40 hours, with six of those hours being at night, of supervised “practice” driving.

Because education and parental involvement is so important and crucial, the free P.R.I.D.E. teen driving courses are being offered to help parents prepare their 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds for driving. The course is being offered the fourth Tuesday of the month at the city of Temple Recreation Center (240 Rome St.) in Temple. Sergeant Jim Hollowood and Officer Stephen Johnston of the Temple Police Department have been working closely with G.T.I.P.I. to offer this free two-hour course to local residents.

“With the rise in injuries and accidents in teenage drivers and them not paying attention, we are trying to update them on the new Joshua’s Law and TADRA laws so it makes driving safer for them and those around them,” Johnston said.

This class is funded by a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The class is not a “hands-on” type of class but geared towards structuring the driving attitudes and behaviors of teenagers. The course will ultimately teach teens and their parents to:

• Become more aware of their own driving behaviors.

• How to become safe drivers.

• Learn what they need to do during supervised practice time.

• Alter attitudes and behaviors of novice teen drivers.

“We were just certified about a month ago and this will be our first group taught,” Johnston said. “We are very excited to teach these young people to become better decision makers on the road.”

A teen and at least one parent or guardian must register to attend. For more information or to register, call the Temple Police Office at 770-562-3151 or email specialoperations@templega.us. Note that class size is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.