Teen Driving Program
 The Columbus Police Department recognizes the significant need for advanced driving skills for the youth of our community. Unfortunately, headlines today scream out with stories of horrific endings to young lives caused by inexperienced drivers. In an effort to reach out to this very specific group, teens ages 16-18, we have put together a program with the intentions of meeting this tragic problem head-on.
The CPD Precision Driving Program for Teens is a one-day, hands on course developed to provide advanced driver training techniques to the youth of our community. These are the same basic skills that are taught to the officers with CPD. Each young person will be taught the following techniques: proper emergency braking, accident avoidance, skid control, steering wheel management and off-road recovery. The cost of the course is $25. This will cover instructors, vehicles, gas, maintenance and training materials. The $25 fee must be pre-paid by the Monday before the start of the class to reserve a slot. Also the $25 is not refundable for not attending the class.
The dates for the for these classes will be announced on our home page. A class is planned for every other month. The course will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Class size is limited, and will accomodate 18 students. Individuals signing up after a class that has already been filled will be put on the list for the next available class.
 Applications can be picked up at the front desk of the Columbus Police Department. Alternatively, you may download (Download Center) an application form, print it and fill it out. These applications can be either hand delivered to the front desk of CPD or mailed in. Mailing instructions are on the downloaded form.
The instructors are either current or past instructors certified by the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Vehicle Operations Instruction. Training will start at the Columbus Police Department squad room with registration, opening comments by the Chief of Police, and introduction of instructors. A two-hour classroom session will cover all driving exercises. All students will then be taken to the CPD EVOC training facility located at the old Walesboro Airport for the skills portion of the training. The day will conclude back at CPD with closing comments and presentation of certificates.
Following is a schedule of what the day will be like:
0900-0950 Lecture: Driving Habits-Attitudes/Space Management/Awareness
0950-1000 Break
1000-1100 Lecture: Braking, Steering and Skid Control Techniques.
1100-1200 Lunch
1200-1630 Hands on training at the driving facility.
1700-Close Closing remarks/presentation of certificates.
Our department offers this course to your son or daughter as a public service because we know we can make a difference. It is an unfortunate fact that young people, ages 16-20, have a higher fatality rate due to motor vehicle accidents than any other group. Many citizens in our community have been touched by the tragic loss of a young person in a traffic accident. By teaching them these critical skills we intend to make Columbus an exception to the statistics. |
