By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FLORENCE - A national program involving professional racecar drivers wants to help Greater Cincinnati teenagers understand they are taking their lives, and the lives of others, in their hands when they get behind the wheel.
The "Driver's Edge" is a private, nonprofit driver safety program - taught by professional racers - coming to Turfway Park in Florence on June 26. It is free for the first 200 participants, 15 to 21 years old, and their parents, who sign up.
"As this is our first time in the Cincinnati area, we're looking forward to making a difference for teens and parents in the community," said Jeff Payne, president and CEO of Driver's Edge. The program normally costs $450 per person but private corporations, donors and public grants are covering the expenses.
In Ohio, teens make up 7 percent of all drivers but accounted for 15 percent of fatal crashes in 2002. In Kentucky during the same year, teens comprised 6 percent of drivers but were involved in 19 percent of traffic fatalities.
Driver's Edge officials said nationally that young drivers comprise 7 percent of all drivers but account for 25 percent of all auto collisions.
At least 14 Greater Cincinnati teenagers have died in traffic accidents since February.
Most of the teens were students. Area school officials say they welcome help in educating young drivers about the No. 1 cause of youth deaths in the nation.
"I'm very glad to see the private sector get involved," said Stephen Kramer, superintendent of Madeira schools in Hamilton County.
"We're always worried about teens, who typically do not have a sense of their own mortality and the dangers that go along with driving," said Kramer.
Driver's Edge program
The "Driver's Edge" young driver education program is coming to Turfway Park on June 26.
The two half-day sessions, which are taught by professional racecar drivers, are free to the first 200 participants who sign up on the program's Web site www.driversedge.org or call (877) 633-3343.
Program officials describe the instruction as an "MTV" style program that includes classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel training, panic braking, combating unexpected situations and advice from local law enforcement officials.
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E-mail mclark@enquirer.com
