Young drivers get free safety lesson Published Nov. 22, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Young Keesler motorists have more safe driving tools at their disposal after completing the Tirerack Street Survival School, Nov. 12-13. The 81st Training Wing hosted the free course conducted by the Sports Car Club of America Gulf Coast Region, according to Master Sgt. Richie Frias, 81st Medical Support Squadron medical resource management office chief, who spearheaded the event. The aim of the school is to reduce deadly car crashes involving teenagers and beginner drivers by providing them a controlled setting where they can gain valuable hands-on experience in car control in real-world situations. Coaches helped the students learn how important experience is rather than guessing when something unexpected happens on the road that could kill them, their passengers or others sharing the road. After a welcome by Col. Glen Downing, 81st TRW vice commander, the 13 students were briefed by a Biloxi Police Department representative on local traffic laws. Then an instructional presentation covered topics ranging from proper vehicle safety inspections to proper braking techniques and accident avoidance. Next came hands-on training in which course designers set up a skid-pad, a slalom/obstacle course and a braking zone. Students learned how to avoid an accident with real-world situations while driving their own vehicles. Looking, listening, emergency braking and spin control were some of the skills the students practiced in a safe environment with experienced instructors passing on tips during the day. To add to the realism, the base fire department wet down the course so that the students could practice how to control their vehicles on rain-slick roads. On Day 2 of the course, students continued to polish their new safe driving skills. Keesler's alcohol, drug abuse prevention and treatment program's "drunk busters" team briefed the class on the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous drugs. Students donned "drunk goggles" and attempted to complete an obstacle course in a pedal cart - none were successful. As the course ended, students had an opportunity to ride in the instructors' vehicles and to discuss the importance of continue to learn and refine safe driving techniques in the future. "This is a fantastic course to help new drivers build confidence while learning to safely control their vehicles," said Col. (Dr.) Paul Nelson, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, about his 17-year-old daughter, Lacy. "This is important to me as a doctor, but most importantly as a dad." "If I would have known our eldest son was coming home for the weekend, we would have signed him up, too," remarked Johnny Robinson, 81st Communications Squadron, who had two sons in the class -- Benjamin, 18, and Zackary, 23. "One of the drivers called her dad to come and watch, and she proceeded to take him for a ride around the obstacle course, improving her time," Frias pointed out. "He was so impressed that he said he might allow her to take his sports car to the prom." Along with a certificate of completion that can be provided to their insurance companies to see if they qualify for discounts, the students received a one-year SCCA membership. The organization provides opportunities to practice driving techniques in a controlled and safe environment. "If you golf regularly, you become a better golfer," Frias remarked. "If you're able to drive and test the limits of your vehicle regularly, you become a better driver." "If we can save one life, we've done our job," said lead instructor Joe Ricard, a Huntington-Ingalls project manager. "The success of this lifesaving endeavor can be attributed not only to the SCCA training team, but to strong support from parents and Team Keesler members in the 81st Mission Support Group, wing safety office, base operations, 81st Security Forces Squadron, the fire department, ADAPT, Top III and the career assistance adviser's office," Frias noted. For more information on future street survival classes, call (228)376-2123.