LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The League City Police Department is the first agency in the state to adopt Collision Avoidance Training (CAT), a program developed in Florida that’s gaining popularity across the country.
The two-day class is designed to help teens respond to driving hazards by literally putting them on a crash course.
The program is offered to teenagers aged 16 to 19-years-old who have their driver’s license.
"That is the highest percentage of kids either killed in crashes or involved in crashes that could have been avoided," Sgt. Tamara Spencer explained.
Drivers must first participate in a four-hour class before getting behind the wheel to practice emergency braking, skid control and sudden lane changes.
17-year-old Kelsey Locke said she believes CAT will help her and her peers prepare for real-life hazards teen drivers face.
"Some of them, I don’t think they have enough experience and they need more hands on training," Locke said.
Drivers run the course using their own cars to teach them how their vehicle behaves.
"You have to understand how your car works and the limits of your car," Locke explained. "It’s actually really helpful."
The League City Police Department has scheduled classes through the beginning of 2011. The cost is $39, with the program being partially funded by revenue from red light cameras.
