Utilizing vehicles provided by Kia Motors America, national charity founded by NHRA Champion Doug Herbert will offer classes across the U.S.
- Teens who graduate from B.R.A.K.E.S. are 64 percent less likely to be in a crash in their first three years of driving.
- Program has surpassed 35,000 young drivers trained.
Concord, N.C. (February 27, 2019) – In response to growing demand, the B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe) national teen defensive driving program founded by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert in honor of his sons is planning 40 weekend schools during 2019. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is supported by official vehicle partner Kia Motors America and several other corporate sponsors, major donors and grant providers.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of record participation in 2018, with approximately 5,900 teens and more than 6,300 parents taking part in the life-saving program last year. Since its inception in 2008, B.R.A.K.E.S. has taught more than 35,000 young drivers, plus their parents, critical skills to make the country’s roadways safer.
In an attempt to impact as many families as possible, B.R.A.K.E.S. will return to key markets with multiple visits to zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina; Carowinds Park in Charlotte; the Manheim Auto Auction near Orlando, Florida; and Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. In addition, new stops planned for 2019 already include Ypsilanti, Michigan; Wichita, Kansas; and San Marcos, California.
Following its successful visit to Detroit’s Belle Isle in 2018, B.R.A.K.E.S. is intending multiple visits to the “Motor City,” thanks in part to a new affiliation with the annual Swing for Safety charity golf tournament at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In addition, with returning support from Kia’s Central Region and dealer groups around the Midwest, the program will be back in Kansas City, St. Louis, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Chicago.
Other stops on B.R.A.K.E.S.’ 2019 tour include Atlanta, Memphis and Phoenix, with Topeka and Charleston, South Carolina currently listed as tentative.
B.R.A.K.E.S. 