By Suzie Ziegler
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — A police department in Tennessee is offering free training for young drivers to help improve driving skills and overall road safety.
The Sevierville Police Department says it was inspired to create a collision avoidance training class due to a high number of teen-involved crashes in the area.
“Because of the high traffic volume in our community, we experience a significant number of traffic collisions,” Chief Joseph Manning said on Facebook. “The CAT program will improve the safety of our young drivers; I urge all parents to seriously consider this training.”
The 12-hour class is open to drivers aged 16 to 20 who have a valid driver’s license and access to an insured car. It will include both classroom and practical instruction on skid recovery, cornering and evasive maneuvers, among others.
Sevier County has the 8th highest number of teen-involved crashes in Tennessee. Nationally, 60% of all new drivers will be involved in a crash in the first year of getting their license, according to the department.