[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15738]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT CONCERNING B.R.A.K.E.S. (BE RESPONSIBLE AND KEEP EVERYONE 
                                 SAFE)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 2014

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight the good 
work of B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe), a 
charitable organization that is taking meaningful steps to reduce the 
number of traffic-related injuries and deaths by training and educating 
teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe, 
responsible driving.
  B.R.A.K.E.S. was born out of the personal tragedy of National Hot Rod 
Association drag racing star Doug Herbert. In January 2008, Herbert 
lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a car accident. His loss led 
him to create a driving program that same year to help prevent other 
families from experiencing similar grief by teaching young drivers more 
conscientious and confident skills behind the wheel.
  More than 5,000 American teenagers lose their lives in traffic 
accidents each year. B.R.A.K.E.S. is working to reduce this staggering 
number of deaths by providing free advanced driver's education in a 
program entitled the Teen Pro-Active Driving Course. This program goes 
beyond conventional driver's education to target specific driving 
situations responsible for many traffic accidents involving teens.
  Based in North Carolina, B.R.A.K.E.S. is making an impact nationwide. 
More than 11,000 teenage drivers and their parents have attended the 
B.R.A.K.E.S. program in 10 states. Participants have traveled from 29 
states and 2 countries to attend these training events. The group is 
constantly seeking additional locations so even more young American 
drivers and their families can experience the peace of mind that comes 
with this specialized training.
  Last month, I visited a B.R.A.K.E.S. program with my teenage son 
Cameron and was truly impressed by what they do. I consider it a 
privilege to share what B.R.A.K.E.S. is accomplishing in the lives of 
thousands of teenage drivers, and I wish them continued success in 
their mission.

                          ____________________