Every parent of a teen driver knows the feeling—that mix of pride and sheer panic when you hand over the keys for the first time. It’s no secret that car crashes are a leading cause of death for young drivers. But here’s something hopeful: a national training program, backed by Kia, is helping change that—and the numbers are impressive.
Kia has renewed its longtime partnership with B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), a teen defensive driving initiative that gives young drivers hands-on training for real-world dangers. According to the B.R.A.K.E.S website, Paul C Friday, PhD, of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, conducted a study that found that teens who complete the program are 64% less likely to get into a crash during their first three years of driving. That’s a stat worth paying attention to.
From Drag Strips to Driver Safety
B.R.A.K.E.S. isn’t your typical driver’s ed class. It was founded by Doug Herbert, a multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion, after a tragic accident involving his own family. What started as a personal mission has grown into a nationwide movement, training more than 150,000 teens and parents across the U.S.
Kia’s 12-year support has been instrumental in helping the program grow. By providing a fleet of vehicles — including everything from the sporty Forte to the family-sized Telluride — Kia is making sure more teens have access to this life-saving experience. With more classes and cities being added regularly, B.R.A.K.E.S. is putting safety first, one young driver at a time.
What Makes It Work?
The B.R.A.K.E.S. curriculum is anything but dry. It tackles the real-life scenarios that cause most teen accidents — things like panic braking, distracted driving, and emergency lane changes. And it doesn’t just teach teens how to react; it shows them how to think behind the wheel.
This isn’t about scaring them straight—it’s about building skills and confidence in a controlled environment, with trained instructors who know how to make the lessons stick. Teens even take the course with a parent riding shotgun, which helps keep the lessons going long after class is over.
Looking Down the Road
With Kia’s continued support and the growing reach of B.R.A.K.E.S., more families have access to meaningful training that can truly change lives. As more automakers embrace safety and proactive education, programs like this one could become the rule, not the exception.