SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff Hall Completes First Teen Driving Course

Sheriff Wendell Hall's new "Teen Driving Course" was held on last Friday and Saturday at Pace High School . There were eight students, selected on a first to register basis, that were put through a variety of maneuvers that most teenage driver's experience. During the four hours in the classroom they were introduced to such topics as vehicle maintenance, vehicular dynamics, aggressive driving and driving under the influence. The instructors arranged a driving course and for eight hours required the young drivers to traverse the course in a series of practical exercises including braking, swerving, and recovering their vehicle during a controlled hydroplaning simulation. One exercise required the youngsters to drive through a serpentine course and then traverse it again only this time backwards. There were also threshold braking and evasive maneuvers. Each student had to be a licensed driver between the ages of 16-18 and a Santa Rosa resident. Each student provided their own motor vehicle for the course. Sheriff's office vehicles were used only to demonstrate the various techniques. Vehicle speeds during the exercises were kept below thirty miles per hour. One of the exercises that was not available was the "hydroplaning" maneuver. Sheriff Hall will be able to offer it in the future after they are able to locate the necessary vehicle and the required mechanical alterations are made. For anyone wanting to register for the any of the future classes, please contact Cindy Sarver at 983-1236.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net