As ‘Distracted Driver Awareness Month’ Begins, B.R.A.K.E.S. Free Lifesaving Teen Driver Training Program Heads To Little Rock

 Program Will be Held on April 11 & 12 at War Memorial Stadium 

Ø  Training is presented with the support of the Arkansas Highway Safety Office

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  More than 168,000 teens and parents have been trained over the past 18 years.

Concord, NC (April 2, 2026) – As “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” begins, local teens will have an opportunity to learn critical behind-the-wheel skills on the weekend of April 11 & 12, as the national lifesaving driver training program B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) heads to War Memorial Stadium. The program is presented with support from the Arkansas Highway Safety Office.

 

Three-hour training sessions will be held:

·         April 11 (Saturday) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·         April 12 (Sunday) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To register, please visit www.putonthebrakes.org.

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 168,000 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 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.