Teenage driving lesson emphasizes awareness

Teenage driving lesson emphasizes awareness Teenagers navigate a souped-up golf cart, made by American Pride of Bradenton, through the route. The T. "My daughter has a learner's permit, and she hasn't had any formal safe driving," he said. Begun by Bruce Murakami a little over a year ago, the program has rapidly grown in popularity. "I saw something on TV about the race track," he said. Murakami lost his wife and daughter in a road accident, and the young man who took their lives was looking at 30 years in prison. Manatee County schools no longer offer driver's education, parent Dan Parsons noted. It's very simple: Obey signs and signals. Simple things save people's lives. The Safe Teen Driver day session is split into two parts. In the morning, students focus on distracted driving and driving under the influence using custom golf carts, made locally by American Pride. Out on the track, students lined up to take a crack at the obstacle course. They soon learned how one mistake can cost a cone. In 2011, more than 350 area teenagers attended the program and received certificates of completion. Citing lack of experience driving with pedestrians, bicyclists and tractor-trailers, Shirley said, all of the book knowledge in the world will not prepare a young or new driver for what awaits on the road. Just because they've taken drivers ed doesn't mean they are ready to meet the challenges that exist. "It's a high-risk experience, take it slow," he said. "I chose to forgive him, but bear the responsibility," Murakami said. The afternoon session puts the students on the race track in go carts that resemble a miniature Formula One race car. They get a chance to improve their new-found skills. Alyssa King, 16, and her mother Laura Knighton praised the program. "The No. driving lessons are offered at Anderson RacePark. A recent session was filled to capacity with parents and teenagers eager to learn. Teenage driving lesson emphasizes awareness Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 01/05/2012