Course teaches safety
When it comes to driving, sometimes making a bad decision can be fatal.
Donnell Jones is an instructor for the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute. A safety expo this weekend will teach teenagers and their parents how to drive safely.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Just ask Donnell Jones, an instructor for the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute, who said his mission is to educate teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of driving safety.
"If we can educate the youth and their parents in this area about driver safety, then I don't have to worry about reading about a teenager dying in a car accident when I pick up the newspaper," he said.
On Saturday, a safety expo will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 825 N. Belair Road in Evans, to help prevent the growing number of car wrecks in the country. Admission is free.
Jones said the event will give participants a chance to view the latest exhibits and technology such as a roll-over simulator, mobile command center and Air Med helicopter. It also will include demonstrations about bike, child passenger and pedestrian safety and will give participants insight into what happens when a wreck occurs.
"On an average, 10 teenagers die in the U.S. a day in teen driven vehicles," he said. "If we can just prevent one fatal wreck, then we've done our job.''
A free class called Parents Reducing Incidents of Driver Error, also will be held for parents and teens from 4 to 6 p.m. at the event.
"I like to tell parents that this class is two and a half hours worth your teenager's life," he said.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Safety Expo and P.R.I.D.E. class
WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday for the Expo and 4 to 6 p.m. for the P.R.I.D.E. class
WHERE: Wesley United Methodist Church, 825 N. Belair Road in Evans
FOR INFORMATION: Visit www.jonesdriversed.com or call 364-6238.