Teen Street Survival

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Overview

Last year, over 5,000 teenagers died in motor vehicle crashes, the leading killer of American youths aged 16 to 19, accounting for more than 40 percent of fatalities in that age bracket. To reduce this number, Tire Rack Street Survival® in cooperation with the BMW CCA Foundation and local BMW CCA Chapters has developed a non-profit, national driver education program aimed at teaching teens the skills they need to stay alive behind the wheel.

The Tire Rack Street Survival® school is a safe teen program designed to go beyond today’s required driver’s education and give teens across the U.S. the driving tools and hands-on experience to become safer, smarter drivers. The program is taught by trained, qualified classroom and in-car driving instructors. Although much of the work is hands on, in the car, the program also includes a classroom component that provides a lesson in the physics of driving and automotive safety.

Since the primary emphasis of the school is a “hands-on” driving experience in real-world situations, we use your own car to teach you about its handling limits and how not to exceed them. Students will learn to look far enough ahead to anticipate unwise actions of other drivers. As the students master the application of physics to drive their cars, they will also make wiser driving actions themselves. The class helps participants understand why they should always wear their own seat belts, and why they should insist that their passengers wear seat belts, too. Driving exercises include low speed emergency braking in a straight line and while turning, accident avoidance lane change, wet skid pad skid control, and a low speed handling course that combines elements of the various exercises in continuous driving on wet and dry asphalt.

You will learn that the class is about more than driving – it’s about LIVING! So, it’s not surprising that past participants report that they become more observant of traffic situations after completing the program. Frequently asked questions How long are Tire Rack Street Survival® events? This is a one-day class. Most classes start early in the morning and end late in the afternoon.

How much is the course? $95 per course, per person.

What are the age requirements for participants? Licensed or permitted drivers, ages 15 to 21 are allowed in the program.

Will I receive a discount from my auto insurance provider upon completion of a school? Many auto insurance companies do recognize Tire Rack Street Survival® as an educational program that can count towards premium discounts. Check with your auto insurer to find out more information.

Can students with driver’s permits participate? Permitted drivers will be allowed in the Tire Rack Street Survival® program IF: All conditions of the permit can be met in a safe manner, i.e. if the permit requires a licensed driver in the car at all times. If a parent is required to be in the car in addition to this, then this student will not be allowed as it would require a passenger in the back seat of the car and that is considered too hazardous for the exercises in the school, and some times it is physically impossible. The driver must be a minimum of 15 years old (regardless of the minimum age for the state issuing the permit) and have had a permit for a minimum of ½ the time required by the state holding jurisdiction over that permit, (not the state that the school is located in) i.e. if the permit must be held for 6 months before the driver can take their driving test, then the student must have had the permit a minimum of 3 months.

Do students have to drive a BMW?  No, absolutely not. We want students to participate in Tire Rack Street Survival® using the car they normally drive so they will understand the response characteristics of the car they drive daily.

Does the Tire Rack Street Survival® school provide vehicles to use in the event? No. Students need to arrive in their own vehicle, or the one that they most frequently drive on a daily basis.

Do students wear helmets? No helmets are required at the schools. All exercises are low-speed events and coaches are in the student’s car at all times during these exercises.

Can students share a vehicle? If siblings are attending an event together, and the car they both drive on a daily basis is the same, most certainly.

What is the registration fee refund policy? Refunds will be issued for cancellations up to the Thursday before the event. You must contact the school registrar and/or the BMW CCA Foundation National Office no later than 5 p.m. EST on the Thursday before the scheduled school.

What should we bring & wear? Dress comfortably, plan on it being either hot or cold or wet and dress accordingly. Remember, the event goes on rain or shine. Shoes must be closed toe, no sandals. We recommend running or tennis shoes for driving. Be prepared for the weather and elements and bring a hat, sunglasses, bug spray, sunscreen, rain gear. Jeans or shorts are are fine. Lunch is provided by the school. Water is available throughout the day. Most of all, bring an open mind, with an attitude and willingness to learn. ♦  Event Coordinator, Doug Brown