B.R.A.K.E.S. Free Lifesaving Teen Driver Training Program Heads To Jefferson City on April 5 & 6

Program Was Founded in 2008 by Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert, Following Tragic Car Crash Deaths of His Two Sons 

Ø  More than 150,000 teens and parents have been trained over the past 17 years.

Ø  Teens who graduate from B.R.A.K.E.S. are 64 percent less likely to be in a car crash three years after completing the training.

Ø  Training program presented with support from Missouri Department of Transportation.

Concord, NC (January 29, 2025) – Looking to save lives and make roadways safer, the free national teen pro-active driving school B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) will visit Jefferson City on the weekend of April 5 and 6, with sessions at the Missouri EVOC Training Center. The program is presented with the support from the Missouri Department of Transportation and Diamond Pet Foods.

 Three-hour programs will be held:

·         April 5 (Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·         April 6 (Sunday) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location:

·         Missouri EVOC Training Center

2302 Militia Drive

Jefferson City, MO 651012

B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert in 2008, following the tragic car crash deaths of his sons, Jon and James. Herbert turned that personal tragedy into a lifesaving mission that has trained more than 150,000 teens and their parents to date. 

Steadfast in making a difference, Herbert and his team of professional instructors have provided teens and their parents with the critical behind-the-wheel skills required to save lives and make the country’s roadways safer. Through their participation, B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64 percent less likely to be involved in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Utilizing vehicles provided by Kia Motors, B.R.A.K.E.S. offers extensive behind-the-wheel instruction. Exercises focus on the five leading causes of crashes for new drivers: distracted driving awareness, panic braking, crash avoidance, drop-wheel/off-road recovery and car control/skid recovery.  Additional educational elements include instruction on safely sharing the road with big rigs, as well as proper conduct during a traffic stop.

The B.R.A.K.E.S. program begins the new year looking to surpass a record-setting 2024, which featured the training of 16,894 teens and parents. Presented over 50 weekends, B.R.A.K.E.S. conducted training in 15 different states, highlighted by first-ever visits to nine new cities.

The amazing growth of our program is the result of the relentless work and uncompromised passion of our incredible team of instructors and volunteers, who have been keenly focused on furthering our mission of saving lives and making U.S. roadways safer. In addition, we receive tremendous support from businesses and transportation departments across the country,” said Herbert. 

About B.R.A.K.E.S.

B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) is a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving.

B.R.A.K.E.S. is NOT Driver’s Ed. It is a FREE, hands-on, advanced driver training program taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers and stunt drivers. To maximize educational effectiveness, B.R.A.K.E.S. maintains a low two-to-one student-to-instructor ratio.