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Free driving program for teens comes to Belle Isle this weekend

Posted at 6:15 PM, Sep 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-28 18:15:07-04

Almost 200 teens and their parents will be on Belle Isle on Saturday and Sunday for a special free driving program. 

It's called B.R.A.K.E.S. which stands for 'Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe.'

The goal is to provide training and education about the importance of safe and responsible driving.

Former NHRA drag racing star Doug Herbert started the non-profit organization after he lost his two sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash in 2008.

"I didn't know before that, that car crashes is the number one leading cause of death for teenagers," he says.

Later that year, they trained his sons' friends, but the program grew, and they've now trained more than 35,000 teens in 40 states across the country.

"What we're doing is not drivers ed. This is a charity program that provides training for free," he says.

Driving instructors work with teens to give them additional, advanced behind the wheel skills and increase their decision-making ability in a vehicle.

There are sessions on Belle Isle on Saturday and Sunday and parents are required to be there, too. 

Herbert says he plans on bringing his program back to Detroit soon.

If you're interested in signing up for this weekend or learning more about the program, go to https://putonthebrakes.org/home.