Free teen-driving safety program coming to Park City this weekend

The Kansas Department of Transportation is bringing the B.R.A.K.E.S. — Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe — program to the Wichita area with hopes of lessening the teen car-related death rate.

The free training will take place at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested can sign up by going to registration.putonthebrakes.org.

Participants will be provided with behind-the-wheel instruction in vehicles provided by Kia Motors.

“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,” a press release from KDOT and B.R.A.K.E.S. said.

B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded by Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert after his two sons died in a vehicle collision. The nonprofit aims to “prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents,” the release says.