Community News
New Teen Driver Education
By
Feb 1, 2006, 18:00

As of Feb 7, the class is now full.

If you would like to submit the registration form, you will be contacted when the next class is set up, first come, first serve.

Decatur County Sheriff's Office Targets Parents with New Teen Driver Education

Is your teen's life worth two hours of your time?

That's the question Sheriff Wiley Griffin is asking Decatur County parents preparing their 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds to drive.  Sheriff Griffin, with the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute (GTIPI), is working to offer a 2-hour seminar for parents and teens called Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. (Parents Reducing Incidents of Driver Error).  GTIPI is a University of Georgia program funded by a grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

The January 1, 2002 change in the teen driving laws puts parents squarely in the passenger's seat. It requires that anyone who applies for a permanent driver's license must have a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult sign a verification form affirming that the candidate has completed either 40 hours of supervised driving experience or 20 hours if the candidate has successfully completed an approved driver education course.

"No parents surveyed reported that they felt adequately prepared to teach their teenager to drive.  This course is designed to help fill this void.  It will help parents and their new teen driver learn what they need to do during those 40 hours of driving time," says Frankie Jones, head of GTIPI's Parent-Youth Program. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the risk of youth related car crashes."

The Georgia Teens Ride with P.R.I.D.E. classes will assist Decatur County parents and teens by

• Helping parents and guardians become more aware of their own driving behaviors
• Teaching parents and guardians how to help their teens become safe drivers
• Helping parents, guardians and teens learn what they need to do during the supervised practice driving time
• Altering attitudes and driving behaviors of novice teen drivers

The evening seminar will be offered February 15, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Decatur County Sheriff's Office.  A teen must have at least one parent or guardian to register and attend.

You may download the registration form (in Word) or stop by the Decatur County Sheriff's Office and pick up a form.  You may also call the Decatur County Sheriff's Office at 248-3043 to request one be faxed to you.