B.R.A.K.E.S. – “Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe”

03 Apr 2016 Kent, WA – When an accident happens investigators will search for the cause. Is it a part that failed, let’s find out and fix it so it won’t repeat as a cause. New and improved safety equipment for racing is a direct result of someone who had a mishap. Impact absorbing bumpers all automobiles have these days is another.

The one thing that is the hardest to fix is “human error”. For teen drivers this is a big thing. Distracted driving is the largest cause for these 15 to 19 year old drivers. Statistics show that nearly 90% of teen drivers will get into a crash in the first three years of driving. This is the chill that parents get when their child gets to driving age, and it scares the hell out of them, as it should. No parent wants to get that phone call and when it does happen it is devastating.

One proud father that got that call is Doug Herbert who lost his two young sons in a fatal accident in January 2008. The why it happened will never be known but the reason is the driver made a bad decision. Out of that decision came Doug’s resolve to keep as many parents from getting that phone call.

BRAKES was formed shortly after that call. This is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) charity that goes to cities around the U.S. with a cadre of very knowledgeable instructors that put teen thru a course of exercises some of which Doug would do as an airplane pilot “pre-flight check”, most drivers just get in and go not knowing they may have a low tire.

Hand position, eye scanning, skid control are just a few of the topics that are discussed in the class and what the instructors teach in the cars.

This has to be the best investment a parent can do for their child’s future, keeping them safe after they get behind the wheel and drive as they will do a lot in their lifetime.

Helping this program come to the northwest was ProFormance Racing School, Pacific Raceways, Kia Motors, Costco, KKW trucks and Makki Nelson from Liberty Mutual each class participant got a car emergency kit and the many volunteers that make this happen.