Free New Driver Training Program Available in KC this October

LEES SUMMIT- The Kansas City Police Department is hosting a free new driver training program this October for all new drivers, soon-to-be drivers, and their parents/guardians designed to help reduce serious and fatal crashes involving teens. The program is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the University of Missouri.

The program is a 90 - minute evidence-based, traffic safety program for parents and teens developed by ThinkFirst Missouri in partnership with MoDOT's Traffic and Highway Safety Division. Research confirms that teens with parents who set clear rules and provide guidance in a supportive way are half as likely to crash and less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as texting while driving, driving after drinking, and not wearing a safety belt. The three sessions are offered at the following times and locations:

• 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; October 11, 2024 (50 participants possible)

South Patrol Community Room (9701 Marion Park Drive, KCMO)

• 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; October 12, 2024 (50 participants possible)

East Patrol Community Room (2640 Prospect Avenue, KCMO)

• 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.; October 12, 2024 (100 participants possible)

KCPD Regional Police Academy (6885 NE Pleasant Valley Rd., KCMO)

The goal of First Impact is to reduce new driver crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities by increasing parental awareness and enforcement of Missouri's Graduated Driver License (GDL) law. The objectives of the First Impact program are to increase:

• Awareness of teen driving risks.
• Understanding of Missouri's GDL law.
• GDL monitoring and enforcement at home.
• Importance of parents being a positive role model.

The program uses video, discussion, and engaging activities to promote the importance of parents and teens working together to reduce teen roadway crashes, injuries and fatalities. The program is delivered by trained facilitators who coach parents by presenting key facts and proven strategies to help parents lower their teens' crash risk by using the Missouri GDL law.

Register online at First Impact Events - MU School of Medicine (missouri.edu), call 314-302-4542 or [email protected].