The Traffic Engineering Division of Public Works, the Parks & Recreation Department and the Chattanooga Police Department unveiled a new and innovative city program in November, 2009. The City of Chattanooga Drivers Education Program debuted at the Brainerd Recreation Complex with a fully enrolled class of 40 young driving students.
Those 40 new drivers, with many more since, are now sharing our roads, all with heightened senses of responsibility, appreciation for the privilege of driving and awareness of the dangers inherent in the many distractions that plague young drivers.
The Drivers Education Program was created in response to an overwhelming need to provide affordable, widespread, high quality defensive driving instruction to the city’s newest drivers.
The program enables every city resident between the ages of 15 and 22 to have access to consistent, uniform training offered year round at selected city recreation centers. Also, drivers who complete this type of intensive training can expect a significant discount on their car insurance.
The funding for this opportunity is provided by revenue from the city’s Photo Enforcement Program. In the program, young drivers are trained to share the roads in a more responsible and cautious manner.
Program Coordinator Caroline Johnson said, “This is an important and innovative program which should serve as a model for other municipalities in providing an opportunity to professionally train our youngest drivers and responsibly use photo enforcement funds to improve traffic safety and save lives.”
As of Aug. 6, the final day of summer classes, 397 young driving students had completed the program. Those numbers will continue to grow as the program expands and more training opportunities are offered. Officials said, "The benefits will be enjoyed immediately: safer roads, fewer crashes, lower insurance rates, saved lives."
For more information, call 311 or Traffic Engineering at 643-5950.