WCSO to Host Teen Driver Challenge
Did you know that teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash as other drivers? The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the safety of our young drivers and is offering a program called the Teen Driver Challenge. It is a free course designed to help teens boost their driving skills and lessen the chances of being involved in a crash. The program will provide a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on driver training. The classroom portion will take place on Friday, February 7th at Walton High School, located at 449 Walton Road, Defuniak Springs, in room 20-121 from 5 pm to 9 pm. The driving portion will take place at 8 am on Saturday, February 8th, at the Walton County Fairgrounds located at 790 North Hwy 83, Defuniak Springs. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Teens 15-19 are eligible and MUST have a valid Learner’s Permit/Florida Operators License for at least 6 months and participants must provide their own car. A current copy of a driver license, vehicle registration and insurance is required. The class is limited to 12 students and all others will be placed on a waiting list for future classes. Forms can be picked up from the student’s School Resource Deputy and must be turned in by Monday, February 3rd. The Teen Driver Challenge is not an advanced driving course. It is a defensive driving program that covers the following topics and driving exercises:| Classroom Topics (4 Hours) |
- Vehicle Dynamics
- Human Factors
- Responsibility
- Liability
- Drug and Alcohol Use
- Night Driving
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
- Threshold, ABS, and Emergency Breaking
- Evasive Maneuvers
- Cornering
- Backing
- Forward and Reverse Serpentine
- Figure 8
- Off Road Recovery
- Skid Control
