SCC to Host Free B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Driver Safety Program August 29–30, 2026 at Tyger River Campus

Spartanburg Community College to Host Free B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Driver Safety Program August 29–30, 2026 at Tyger River Campus

Spartanburg, SC — Spartanburg Community College (SCC) will host the nationally recognized B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) Pro-Active Driver Training Program on Saturday, August 29, 2026, and Sunday, August 30, 2026, providing local teen drivers and their parents with free, hands-on training designed to build critical driving skills and save lives.

Founded in 2008 by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert after the tragic loss of his two sons in a car crash, B.R.A.K.E.S. has trained more than 170,000 teens and parents across the country. The nonprofit organization equips young drivers with advanced behind-the-wheel experience that complements traditional driver's education.

Training sessions at SCC's Tyger River Campus will be held:

• Saturday, August 29, 2026: 8:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 30, 2026: 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Registration is free and available at www.putonthebrakes.org.

Unlike traditional driver's education courses, B.R.A.K.E.S. focuses on real-world emergency driving situations. Professional instructors—including current and former law enforcement officers, professional racers, and stunt drivers—lead participants through hands-on exercises covering the five leading causes of crashes involving new drivers:

• Distracted driving awareness
• Panic braking
• Crash avoidance
• Drop-wheel/off-road recovery
• Car control and skid recovery

Additional instruction includes safely sharing the road with commercial vehicles and understanding proper procedures during a traffic stop. Training is conducted using vehicles provided by Kia Motors and features a low two-to-one student-to-instructor ratio to maximize learning.

An independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte found that teens who complete the B.R.A.K.E.S. program are 64 percent less likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash during their first three years of driving.

"The safety of our students and our community extends beyond the classroom," said Dr. Michael Mikota, President of Spartanburg Community College. "We are proud to partner with B.R.A.K.E.S. to bring this exceptional program to Spartanburg County and provide young drivers and their families with life-saving skills that will benefit them for years to come."

B.R.A.K.E.S. is a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training teenage drivers and their parents in safe, responsible driving practices.

For more information or to register, visit www.putonthebrakes.org.