The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department will be holding a free presentation designed to reduce teen driver crashes by increasing parental involvement, called, “Share the Keys”. The program will be held August 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Emergency Services Training Center, 53 Academy Drive, Westampton. This program is designed for teens that are just getting or have their driving permit as well as their parents. Door prizes, including AAA memberships, will be given out during the class.
For already licensed teens the department is offering two defensive driving classes on August 10 and August 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services Training Center. Participants are eligible to receive an insurance discount of up to 5 percent as well as have two points removed from their driving record. A $10 check or money order is required by The National Safety Council. The department is encouraging parents to attend the class with their teen driver.
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people in New Jersey between the ages of 16 and 20,” Sheriff Jean Stanfield said. “We encourage parents to take these classes with their teens before sending them back to school. It might be the most important time you spend together this summer.”
Every ten minutes a teen in New Jersey is involved in a car crash, and these are most often due to driver distraction, inexperience, speeding and failure to yield.
To register for the Share the Keys Program, call (609) 265–3788. Registration for the defensive driving class can be done on-line at www.co.burlington.nj.us/sheriff.