New Bloomfield High School hosting program for parents of teen drivers

July 25, 2019 at 2:43 a.m. | Updated July 25, 2019 at 2:43 a.m.

by Quinn Wilson

No students were harmed in the making of this 2018 mock crash scene at New Bloomfield High School including Nick Hammann, the senior who played the part of a drunk driver. Student council members arranged the demonstration to warn their peers about the dangers about of driving while intoxicated.
No students were harmed in the making of this 2018 mock crash scene at New Bloomfield High School including Nick Hammann, the senior who played the part of a drunk driver. Student council members arranged the demonstration to warn their peers about the dangers about of driving while intoxicated.

A free safety course is coming in August for parents of new or soon-to-be drivers.

First Impact's free traffic safety parent program will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at New Bloomfield High School. The program's goal is to reduce new-driver crashes by increasing parental awareness about the Missouri graduated driver licensing law.

"It is a 90-minute evidence-based traffic safety program teaching parents about all of the components of the graduated driver's license law that pertains to new drivers ages 15-21," First Impact Director Deana Tucker Dothag said.

Missouri's graduated driver licensing law is the three-step licensing system in Missouri that requires teen drivers to ease into licensure. Teen drivers are eligible for an instructional permit at age 15, an intermediate license with some restrictions at ages 16-18 and the under-21 full license at age 18.

The program will be presented by trained law enforcement officials and facilitators. Instructors will coach parents by presenting key facts and proven strategies to help lower teen crash risks. Speakers at the event include Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott White, Rev. Ayanna Shivers and State Farm Insurance agent Lori Branch.

First Impact was created in 2019 by Think First Missouri and the University of Missouri School of Medicine following research proving graduated driver licensing laws have played a key role in reducing teen crashes by 20-40 percent.

Parents are also invited to bring their teen driver to the program with them. Those interested can RSVP at the event's Eventbrite page at bit.ly/2Yg05Sl.