Space Available for Young Drivers in Collision Avoidance Training Seminar

There is still time for young drivers to sign up for the Sevierville Police Department’s Collision Avoidance Training (CAT) seminar.

The Sevierville Police Department is holding a 12-hour Collision Avoidance Training seminar this month. This CAT seminar is open to licensed drivers aged 16-20 and participants must provide their own vehicle and insurance. The program fee of $60.00 covers course materials and instructors. Registration is limited to only ten students.

Utilizing a nationally proven program, SPD Officers will teach skills such as evasive maneuvers, cornering, backing, skid recovery, off-road recovery and emergency braking. The training will give young drivers the knowledge and practical experience to drive more safely and decrease the likelihood of serious collisions.

“Because of the high traffic volume in our community, we experience a significant number of traffic collisions,” said SPD Chief Don Myers. “The CAT program will improve the safety of our young drivers; I urge all parents to seriously consider this training.”

Nationally, over 60% of all new drivers will be involved in a crash within the first twelve months of getting their driver’s license. More than 40% of those crashes will result in the driver being hospitalized.

During the past 10 years thousands of teens have completed this program and less that 6% of the students have been involved in a severe crash. CAT students also receive 60% fewer traffic citations than students that have not attended the class.

Some insurance companies offer a discount to policyholders who complete a collision avoidance training program.

The course is split into two days, with the first leg on August 15 from 4:45 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Sevierville Police Department, 300 Gary Wade Blvd. in Sevierville. The second leg will be held August 16 from 7:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Sevierville Convention Center, 02 Gists Creek Rd. in Sevierville.

For more information or to register for the Sevierville Police Department’s Collision Avoidance Training (CAT) seminar, contact SPD Sgt. T.C. Faulconer at 865-868-1847.