Last Chance to Register for Young Driver’s Collision Avoidance Training

In an effort to improve the driving abilities and overall safety of younger drivers, the Sevierville Police Department has scheduled a 12-hour Collision Avoidance Training (CAT) seminar.

The training is for drivers aged 16-20 years old who have a valid driver’s license. Participants are required to provide their own vehicle and have current insurance. The seminar is taught by Sevierville Police Department Officers utilizing a nationally proven program. The fee of $60 covers course materials and instructors. Registration is limited to ten students.

Collision Avoidance Training Seminar Schedule

The Collision Avoidance Training seminar will be divided into two sessions, the first 4:45 p.m. – 9 p.m. on August 31, 2017 at the Sevierville Police Department and the second 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. on September 2, 2017 at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Participants will receive both classroom and practical driving in a controlled environment utilizing their own vehicle, so that they can become familiar with the vehicle they will likely be driving on the road. We all learn many valuable lessons through mistakes, but the class provides drivers with opportunities to make mistakes on a designed driving course with a qualified instructor in their vehicle. Participants will better understand the limits of their vehicles and their own driving ability.

Unlike basic driving programs, Collision Avoidance Training participants will receive instruction and practical experience in the following areas:

• Evasive maneuvers
• Threshold/ Emergency braking
• Forward serpentine
• Cornering
• Backing
• Skid recovery
• Reverse serpentine
• Off-road recovery

The training will provide young drivers with the knowledge and skills to be safer and less likely to experience serious collisions.

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

For more information or to register contact SPD Sgt. T.C. Faulconer (865-868-1847 or tcfaulconer@seviervilletn.org) or Officer Preston Parrish (865-868-1845 or pparrish@seviervilletn.org).

Nationally over 60% of all new drivers will be involved in a crash within the first twelve months of getting their driver’s license. Over 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. Collision Avoidance Training students also receive 60% fewer traffic citations than students that have not attended the class.