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The Volusia County Sheriff's office in conjunction with the Florida Sheriff's Association offers a program designed to train teenage drivers to avoid deadly traffic crashes through a variety of advanced driving skills. The course, called the Volusia County Sheriff's Office Teen Driving Challenge, is a 12-hour course taught over two days that trains teens how to prevent crashes through defensive driving techniques and evasive maneuvers. The course goes well beyond the basics of automobile operations, teaching young drivers life-saving skills such as the proper way to safely maneuver corners, brake during emergencies and recover from a skid. "This is the absolute best driving program I’ve ever seen," said Sheriff Ben Johnson. "This isn’t just designed to teach teens to get their driver’s license. This course is designed to save their lives once they get their driver’s license and get behind the wheel."

The Teen Driving Challenge provides a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on driver training at the Sheriff’s Office’s driving track in DeLand. “If we save one kid, it means a lot,” added Sheriff Johnson. “We can actually put them in a car and let them skid. They can actually get out there and find out what a vehicle can and can’t do.”

There is no charge for the course and the student must have their regular Class E driver's license. Participants must provide their own car. Anyone seeking more information or an enrollment packet can call the Sheriff’s Office Training Section program coordinator, Kathy Daniels, at (386) 239-6522.

The following information applies to the Teen Driving Challenge:

• Class size is limited to 15

• Seats are available on a first come first serve basis

• The registration packet must be completed in full

• Lunch will be provided on Saturday

DAY ONE:
The Classroom

Students  participate in a four-hour session that will cover the following topics:

• Teen Crash Facts

• Knowing Your Vehicle

• Use Common "Senses" When Driving

• Belt Yourself, It Won't Hurt

• Vehicle Dynamics

• Safe Driving Can be Habit Forming

• Alcohol, the $8,000 Drink

• Aggressive Driving

• Driving Exercises

DAY TWO: The Driving Range
Students participate in an eight-hour driving class at Volusia County Sheriff's Office Driving Range, in DeLand. Each student will practice the following exercises to develop defensive driving skills:

• Figure 8

• Threshold Breaking

• Forward Serpentine

• Reverse Serpentine

• Cornering 

• Off Road Recovery

• Skid Recovery

Location:
All classes are held at the
Volusia County Sheriff's Office Driving Range
DeLand, FL 32724

Dates: (Rain or Shine)

2010

• Jan. 21 and 23

• March 18 and 20

• May 13 and 15

• July 15 and 17

• Sept 16 and 18

• Nov 18 and 20

Times:

• Day One  6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

• Day Two  8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: Since the EVOC Driving Track is an open area, each student is encouraged to bring the following sun/heat protection items:

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Water or Sports Drink 

Registration Information:

• Items you will need to complete your registration:
  • Valid Drivers License
  • Registration of the vehicle you will be using during the class
  • Proof of insurance
  • Complete and have notarized the three forms below
    • Parental Permission Form and Release of all Claims
    • Student Statement of Voluntary Participation and Release of all Claims
    • Vehicle Owners Statement of Permission and Release of all Claims

All forms must be returned to Vicki Held before the student will be enrolled in a class.  The forms should be mailed to the VCSO Training Center, 3901 Tiger Bay Road,  Daytona Beach, Florida  32124. The student will be contacted to verify enrollment once the application forms are received.

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