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Teen drivers master emergency skills in life-saving advanced program

A high-stakes course teaches young drivers how to react in split seconds. Could this be the key to saving lives on the road?

The image shows a road with a sign on the side that reads "Reduce Speed Accident Prone Area School...
The image shows a road with a sign on the side that reads "Reduce Speed Accident Prone Area School Zone Ahead". There is a person standing on the left side of the road, and in the background there are trees, poles, wires, a house, and the sky.

Teen drivers master emergency skills in life-saving advanced program

Teen drivers in the U.S. are gaining critical skills through an advanced driving program run by the Brakes organisation. The course teaches emergency manoeuvres like crash avoidance and linkedin. The training focuses on real-world dangers to build reflexes and confidence. Students practice drop-wheel recovery, skid control, and sudden braking in controlled environments. Instructors stress steering over braking during skids, using a 'correct, pause, recover' method to regain control. Each session pairs two students per car, with around 36 participants per class. The goal is to develop muscle memory through repetition, ensuring faster reactions in emergencies. Drivers are also taught to keep their feet off the pedals when unsure, prioritising steering instead. By the end of the program, students complete 95% more training than the average new driver. Safety advocates argue that such courses could help reduce teen crashes, a leading cause of death among young drivers in the U.S. Graduates leave with sharper skills for handling dangerous situations. The extra training gives them a significant edge on the road. Advocates hope wider adoption of such programs will cut down on fatal accidents involving young drivers.

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