Powder Springs to Offer Course for Teen Drivers, Parents

The Powder Springs Police Department wants to do its part to prepare teen drivers for the road.

That's why the agency and the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute will host a free, 2-hour seminar this month to help Cobb County parents prepare their 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds to drive.

The Parents Reducing Inuries and Driver Error course begins at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at police headquarters, 1114 Richard D. Sailors Pkwy.

Parental involvement is key to reducing the number of teen crashes and fatalities, Maj. Matt Boyd of the Powder Springs Police Department said.

"Teens want the practice time so they can get their license, but need to know how to communicate with their nervous parents," he said.

P.R.I.D.E. will teach parents and new teen drivers what they need to do during those 40 hours of supervised driving time required by law.

"It's designed to help young people become better decision makers, especially as new drivers," said Frankie Jones, the director of the Georgia Traffic Injury Prevention Institute. "Our ultimate goal is to reduce risk-taking behavior and youth related car crashes."

Registration forms for the course are available online or at the police department, which is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Completed forms can be sent to jdcollins@cityofopowdersprings.org or submitted at the police department front desk. The deadline is May 17.