Hiram Police Want Your Teen to Be a Safe Driver

On Aug. 6, the City of Hiram began offering a free drivers’ safety program designed to help your teenager become a safer driver. The 2014 schedule is now set.
In Georgia, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens.  In an effort to address this problem, The University of Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute (G.T.I.P.I.) is pleased to announce its new statewide program, Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error).

Classes are offered one evening every month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dewey P. Pendley Sr. Municipal Complex located at 217 Main Street, Hiram, for City of Hiram and Paulding County teen drivers and their parents or guardians.
Future class dates and times in 2014 are as follows:
 
January 9
February 6
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 4
October 9
November 13
December 11

These classes target parents/guardians and their teenage drivers who are either just beginning to drive or are preparing for a learner’s permit. This is not a hands-on, mechanical “how to” course, but a class that addresses driving attitude and behavior of teenagers, ages 12 to adult. This course will:
 
·         Help parents/guardians become more aware of their own driving behaviors;
·         Teach parents/guardians how to help their teenagers become safe drivers;
·         Help parents/guardians and teenagers learn what they need to do during the supervised practice driving time required by the State of Georgia to obtain a license; and
·         Alter attitude and driving behaviors of novice teenage drivers.
 
To register for this class, complete the registration form located on the City’s website at www.cityofhiram.gov under the police department patrol section. This form can be returned by mail, fax or in person at the Hiram Police Department. The teenager and at least one parent or guardian must be present during the entire two-hour course. Each class will be limited and registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information concerning the Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error) please call 404-955-4695 or 800-342-9819 or visit www.ridesafegeorgia.org. Email inquiries may be sent to agilham@hiram-ga.gov or gtipi@uga.edu. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is a full partner in this program.