B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), a 501(c)3 non-profit national teen defensive driving program founded by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert has received additional assistance from Kia America.
The organization’s mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving. B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded in 2008 after Herbert lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash. Now more than 110,000 teens and parents from 50 states and five countries have participated in the B.R.A.K.E.S. intensive training course.
Growth of the program will be facilitated by the addition of a new fleet of 22 Kia models utilized for Midwest training sessions. This supplements fleets of Kia vehicles deployed for B.R.A.K.E.S. training in both the eastern and western regions of the U.S. Each fleet includes Kia’s Soul, Forte, Rio, Sorento, Sportage, Seltos, Telluride and Carnival.
“The support we have received from our friends at Kia America has been truly remarkable,” said Herbert. “They have been deeply aligned with our mission of saving lives and making U.S. roadways safer. On behalf of the entire B.R.A.K.E.S. organization, we thank them for their passion and dedication.”
“Kia America is dedicated to the safety of drivers and passengers nationwide no matter the make and model of their vehicle,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. “The lessons and techniques included in the B.R.A.K.E.S. courses are invaluable and ones that every driver should keep in mind whenever they’re behind the wheel. Kia is proud to support B.R.A.K.E.S. and help them further their mission to make drivers more responsible and increase the safety of our roads.”
The 2023 B.R.A.K.E.S. schedule includes visits to new locations, in Florida, Kentucky, Nebraska and Texas, as well as returns to venues in North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, Arizona and California. Updated schedule and registration information is accessible at www.putonthebrakes.org.
B.R.A.K.E.S. addresses one if the leading causes of death among teens – car crashes – helping to improve road safety and prevent other parents from facing the heartbreaking loss of a child. Through their participation in the pro-active defensive driving program, B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64 percent less likely to get in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.