Students ages 15 to 18 interested in the city of Chattanooga driver’s education courses at John A. Patten Recreation Center beginning June 21 must enroll by June 7.
“A vehicle is a lethal weapon that students are allowed to drive,” said Caroline Johnson, driver’s education coordinator for the city of Chattanooga Traffic Engineering Division. “Students learn to eliminate distractions in drivers education … such as no texting, no cell phone calls, no painting your nails or putting on makeup while driving. Our focus is to teach students to pay attention to what’s on the outside of the car, not what’s on the inside of the car.”
Johnson said since the pilot program began seven months ago in Brainerd, 232 students have graduated from driver’s education courses. By summer’s end, 382 more responsible drivers will be on the roads.
According to Johnson, the courses involve completing six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 30 class hours Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. for two weeks. The cost is $50. The result is safer drivers and lower car insurance rates.
City of Chattanooga Traffic Engineering Division driver’s education coordinator Caroline Johnson holds up her banner that will travel with her to driver’s education classes at Greenway Farm and at John A. Patten Recreation Center this summer.Johnson said behind the wheel training is administered by Haman’s New Drivers located inside Northgate Mall.
“Students drive around the Northgate Mall parking lot and the Abba’s House parking lot,” said Johnson. “They drive through Valleybrook subdivision since it has curves, hills and roundabouts.”
Collision analyst and Chattanooga Police Officer Joe Warren will speak to students about typical causes of crashes. City of Chattanooga traffic engineer John Van Winkle will talk to students about navigating through roundabouts. Outdoor Chattanooga’s city bicycle coordinator Philip Pugliese will tell students how to share the road with bicyclists.
“The city of Chattanooga’s red light cameras and speed cameras, every penny made goes to traffic safety programs,” said Johnson. “It funds driver’s education. It is actually a $350 course, so students get $300 off paid by the cameras.”
In the fall driver’s education courses will expand to allow ages 15 to 22 to enroll.
“The under-25 age group is responsible for 60 to 65 percent of crashes,” said Johnson. “It is so important to have professional drivers teaching students how to drive.”