According to the CDC, in the U.S., Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths, a startling realization when so many of us send our kids off to school in their own cars. To help combat the problem, Mercedes-Benz USA has announced that they will begin offering teen driver education and training in San Diego through its DMV-certified Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy beginning in 2014. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy offers a unique approach to driver training that is designed to develop key decision-making skills, educate parents on coaching their new teen driver and create safer and more responsible drivers for life. We’ve recommended the AMG Driving Academy in the past, not only as a way to experience AMG Models but also as a great way to increase your skills and make you a better driver overall. We’re very happy to hear that MBUSA is continuing to make the roads safer by expanding it’s teen driving academy.
“Distracted driving is only one of the many challenges that today’s teens face on the road,” said Carolyn Duchene, director of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. “Our goal at Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is to develop safer teen drivers and provide parents with some peace of mind. At the same time, parental involvement is the key to avoiding needless tragedies behind-the-wheel.”
“Mercedes-Benz has a long history and continuous efforts to improve vehicle safety. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is a natural extension of our ongoing commitment to accident-free driving,” Duchene said. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy launched in Los Angeles in 2011 as the first international teen driving school, and now offers programs in Orange County.
Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy’s approach is designed to reinforce current policies which serve to enhance new driver safety such as the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules. The GDL framework provides for compulsory driver’s education, combining classroom or online learning, on-road training, mandatory supervised practice, and restricted driving privileges once a novice driver starts driving solo. Through the use of an integrated program to reinforce learning points throughout the learner driver period, combined with parental involvement, the students can realize greater benefits of GDL.
Prior to launch, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy will offer complimentary Parent-Teen Workshops and work with Mercedes-Benz Dealerships and local schools to bring teen driver safety programs to the market. These workshops will help educate parents and teens on GDL laws & restrictions, DMV requirements for obtaining a license and permit, and tips on how to choose the best driving school to meet their goals.
According to a recent report, fatal crash rates among 18 and 19 year old drivers have increased nationally following the enactment of Graduated Driver License (GDL) programs. One explanation is that teens are simply waiting until they are 18 years old when the GDL no longer applies to them. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy’s coaching approach is beneficial for drivers of all ages, including licensed drivers who want to hone their skills behind the wheel.
For more information on Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy or any of the activities mentioned above, visit Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy or call 888-MBDA-USA.
