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Driver ed program focuses on teen attitudes

Idaho driver education teachers are receiving a new tool to help change the attitudes of teen-agers about driving, thanks to a partnership between the Idaho State Department of Education and the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Traffic and Highway Safety.

Every day in the United States, 5,000 young drivers are involved in traffic crashes and 23 die. Driver education experts say teens’ attitudes toward driving contribute to those accidents.

"Teens can learn the technical skills of driving and the rules of the road, but their attitudes can override their knowledge and lead to dangerous behavior," explains Kelly Glenn, supervisor of driver education programs for the State Department of Education. "This effort will help teachers understand how today's teens think and helps teens recognize the impact of their attitude on their actions."

To assist teachers in helping teens understand the relationship of their attitudes and driving behavior, the state is providing an innovative new program called "Drive" for use in driver education classrooms. Driver education teachers are being trained on the program at eight workshops across the state this spring.

Workshops in the Treasure Valley area are scheduled for:

April 17, 18, Boise – Best Western Vista Inn at the Airport, 2645 Airport Way; Drive Program, April 17, 8 a.m. to noon

April 19, 20, Boise – Best Western Vista Inn at the Airport, 2645 Airport Way; Drive Program, April 19, 8 a.m. to noon.

The program includes:
• A 67-second video geared toward teens that shows the "disconnect" between a teen's self perception as a driver and his or her behavior behind the wheel
• A hands-on demonstration that allows students to become teachers and come with their own decisions about what to do and what attitude to exhibit in critical driving situations
• An "in-your-face" presentation that shows the consequences of teen attitudes when driving a motor vehicle.

For more information about the program, contact Kelly Glenn at (208) 332-6850.