More than 20 teens and their parents from across the county gathered at Fred Beans in Plumstead on Sunday to learn about the dangers of distracted driving as part of the second "Survive Your Drive" teen driving safety program.
New drivers ages 16 to 18 with a valid driving permit or license were invited to learn safe skills behind the wheel and get information and demonstrations from police officers and emergency personnel. The goal : Give teen drivers the lowdown on responsible behind-the-wheel behavior.
"The inaugural launch last May gave 18 teen drivers and their parents a focused look into the consequences of distracted driving and tips on how to steer clear of distractions and other behaviors that take the lives of so many of our young people every year," said Rachel Mauer, executive community director for the YMCA.
Teens were accompanied by their parents or guardians to the event, and watched several presentations and videos on the dangers of distracted driving. "Teens are more likely to get in accidents at nighttime, on rainy days or in adverse weather. What we talked about today was the distractions kid will come across," said Doylestown police Officer Dave Carlsen.
He noted that distractions include passengers in the car, radios blaring, texting, cellphone use, eating and other "common distractions kids are ready for."
"They're still learning how to drive, they get to see and hear from other people that have been through issues with teens driving. The easiest way to fix it is just not do the stuff they're doing," he said.
Kids and parents also were invited to partake in a golf cart driving course while wearing "beer" goggles and nighttime driving goggles, or goggles that when worn, impair the driver's vision in various ways.
A service member with Fred Beans was also on scene to demonstrate how to change a tire, check oil levels and answer other maintenance-related questions.
"I was excited about the drunk-driving goggles, I want to see what those look like," said Jake Slominski, 16, of New Hope, who has his driving permit.
"After seeing all the things I never really noticed before, that really makes a big difference in how I'm going to drive after this."
Amy O'Brien of Riegelsville came to the event with her 15-year-old son, who was the exception when it came to teen drivers required to have a permit to attend the event.
"I felt that it was more important to do this course sooner rather than wait until he'd been out on the road a bit more," she said.
"I think I've learned a lot, I haven't been in driverws education or had to take a driving test in a long time, I felt like this is just good for me to learn more about some of the new rules."
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