We had both our son and daughter go through this drivers program. My son has used the skills he learned to avoid 2 different accidents! The training they provide is invaluable! We have recommended it to several of our friends whom have also gone through the program. The instructors know how to get the kids to listen through humor and straight talk. An added bonus...you can use the fee as a tax write off and we saved almost $300 on our auto insurance.Every young driver should go through this program!!
My daughter Lilly just turned 16 last week. She really enjoyed the hands on experience. Not only was it a wealth of knowledge, but also fun. Thank you & God Bless
We had both of our twins participate in the 'BRAKE's' course in an effort to enhance both their ability and awareness of the risks associated with being a young driver. The program exceeded all expectations - it was incredibly professional and educational. The instructors made the course fun for the kids, while still providing them with a health dose of reality when it comes to the risks of driving. We would STRONGLY recommend this course for ANY teen driving.
We attended the recent event in Atlanta with my youngest son. This is the third time I’ve been, as I’ve taken all 3 of our boys. All are better drivers because of their experience at BRAKES. Additionally, I am a better teacher because of what I learned at BRAKES. I am more confident in letting them get behind the wheel. We all spend a lot of time and money on our children’s education and activities. BRAKES is easily among the best investment we have ever made in our kids, and that would be true if it cost 10X as much as it does. Do yourself a favor and make plans to be there when they visit your town.
The B.R.A.K.E.S. program is absolutely fantastic! Great staff who make it fun and engaging, which makes the practical training sessions even more effective. I so glad my teen son had the chance to experience this and learn these valuable skills. I can't recommend this highly enough!
Amazing! From start to finish the program was run incredibly efficient and the 3 hours was so well spent on learning and improving driving skills. I highly recommend all teens take this course and am so grateful to the founder and volunteers. Parents can benefit from it as well!
My 16 yr old daughter went with a small group of friends (& parents) and came back buzzing. They all agreed they feel more confident about how to drive defensively and how to respond in a variety of situations that they are likely to encounter on the road. They benefited from the "gamefying" of responding to situations and the knowledge of the risks involved with driving. I am grateful I signed her up and will sign up my son too in a couple of years.
My experience was good, but even more the teen driver I attended with thought it was good and fun. We've attended this after attending Driver's Edge (another great NP driving program). My teen felt he came away with more knowledge and more experience with driving out of skids, not that it was a repeat of what he experienced with Edge. New to him was the distracted driver which he talked about a lot afterwards (so high praise for a teen). The climbing into a semi and what you CAN'T see was an eye-opener to teens and their adults alike.
I can't speak to the experience of getting a refund of the $100 "reservation" fee, as we a) could afford to leave it as a donation and b) the experience was well worth it. (Edge does have a similar enticement that if you donate $100 ahead of time, you have a guaranteed spot once they open enrollment, but nothing was said about getting a refund, so in this way, BRAKES is better for those who can't afford the $100.
I choose Donor as role, but really it was both donor and client served
BRAKES is fantastic and we highly recommend! This was our third teen in our family to go through it. My daughter, along with all the other students there, arrived at 7:30 on a Saturday morning not sure what to expect, and left 3 hours later with so much valuable information and life saving skills. Everyone working there was fantastic, enjoyable, and passionate about how they are helping young people! Our daughter left excited to share all she had learned and is telling friends. Thank you BRAKES!
I’m blown away by the incredible experience B.R.A.K.E.S. gave my son and me. This course was recommended by a neighbor, and I’m so grateful. The positivity and enthusiasm from all the trainers, from the minute you’re greeted in the parking lot to the last person to say goodbye, was unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of. They make the course enjoyable, engaging, interactive, and of course informative. My son, who initially didn’t want to go, left saying it was awesome. Incredible how Doug Herbert turned his pain into a platform to help others. Can’t say enough. Love it!!
Our experience at the BRAKES defensive driving class was phenomenal. My teenager is much more confident in her driving skills, and I'm much more confident in both her driving and how I can best support her further learning. I can't recommend this course highly enough. I've already emailed the information to all of my friends, asking them to consider participating when their children are of the appropriate age. This is truly a life-saving nonprofit!
I'm so glad that I signed my daughter up for this class. We BOTH learned a lot and highly recommend it. She has even been telling her friends about it and encouraging them to sign up for a class the next time they are in our area. The entire event was very well organized and you could tell that everyone is passionate about teaching the kids (& parents!). They kept you engaged in what they were saying and the skills they were teaching. I honestly can't recommend it enough!
I signed my 17 year old son and my 18 year old nephew up for this course hoping they would both learn a little something about becoming a better driver ( you know, at 17 and 18 they know everything already). This class far exceeded my expectations. Not only did they learn a lot but they learned things I would not normally be able to teach them. They were put into situations I would not have put them in. Not only did they learn but these instructors put me in some of the same situations to better teach them going forward. The statistics of teen drivers that are involved in wrecks is astonishing and after learning the stuff I did I believe they will be better prepared. I cannot say enough good things about this class and I really wished all teens had to take this course before getting their drivers license. These instructors made the class fun and exciting and had such enthusiasm about them it was contagious. So happy I did this.
Brakes is a fantastic setup designed to safely give teen drivers the additional education to help them be safe on the road.
The whole event was really well done:
- Location was amazing. It was at a private track parking lot.
- The instructors were super knowledgeable and relatable to the teenagers.
- The material was very well setup and organized.
It was a priceless experience for the whole family. We all learned so much. The very engaging instruction time was only about 30 minutes, and then the kids got to drive in the cars, practicing lifesaving techniques. Thank you, BRAKES!
Every person involved with Put on the Brakes is passionate and committed to their purpose and delivers an outstanding experience to participants. The value of what they do is off the charts and their program should be mandated for every teen drive. Each of my kids has been through the course.
Excellent opportunity for your teenager to experience what happens when something unexpected or unsafe event happens. My son was apprehensive but once it started said it was a lot of fun and the instructors were super nice.
I would highly recommend and would repeat for experience!
I’ve had this course on my radar for years in hopes I could coordinate taking my two sons to a clinic. It was a phenomenal experience. We drove a couple hours to get to the class and it was worth every minute. Everyone was so encouraging, passionate and informative. You’d never guess that many of these instructors had been traveling from state to state weekend after weekend to teach. Clearly they love this and believe in it. I’ve been driving for 36 years and I learned a few things as well. I’m at ease knowing my kids have a few extra tools to take with them on the road. Essential skills for us all and my insurance company knocked a good amount off my policy. Grateful!
Wow what an awesome
Morning. so thankful I could give this “gift” of safety to my son. Thank you to everyone in this organization committed to teens safety!
Our 16 year old son just completed their 2-3 hour course recently and he really enjoyed it. I didn't go, but my husband did and he said it was excellent. I would like to thank this organization for providing this opportunity. I happened to find it in a Google search years ago when our daughter was talking about getting her license. We couldn't afford professional driving lessons at the time for her, but I really wanted to make sure she was prepared to be a responsible driver, so I was trying to find resources or organizations that might help. In the end she didn't go for her license until after she turned 18 and I forgot about this. Then our son started talking about his license and I looked up Put On The Brakes Inc again to see if by chance there was a class in our area, and we lucked out! Register right away because spots fill fast, at least they did in our city. I'm only sorry our daughter couldn't do it. She turned 20 just days before the class and it's only for up to 19 year olds in our state. Thank you Put On The Brakes Inc!
We have taken all three children through the B.R.A.K.E.S. program. Each time it has proven to be extremely beneficial. The instructors are the best of the best and they equip young drivers with vital skills necessary to keep them (and other travelers) safe on the road. Doug Herbert has turned his tragedy into something incredibly positive and this parent is very grateful for his program. It really should be a requirement for every driver on the road! Heartfelt appreciation to the incredible San Marcos instructors who were extremely informative and knowledgeable. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
My daughter lives in CO and took this class 4 years ago. She called today to say that her car started spinning out on way down a mountain and everyone in the car was freaking out. She was calm and all the strategies she learned at BRAKES came back to her. Thank you for the hands on experience!
I'm so grateful for the BRAKES class that my 16-year-old daughter and I attended this past weekend on Concord, NC. The staff was amazing, and we both learned so much. This class should be a requirement for everyone!
Invaluable experience! Life saving proactive defensive driving skills are taught to teens. Both behind the wheel and classroom training is given in a professional and engaging manner.
What a great learning experience for both my daughter and myself. What the kids learn IMO is invaluable and I feel much more confident about my daughter driving. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming by all the volunteers, trainers, staff.
Great class! The teachers were amazing. I’ve been driving for 25 years and learned new things, even as the parent. My son enjoyed the class as well, and I know it made him a better driver. Every teen should take his class.
As an instructor it is so rewarding to asssit our teen students with car control and creating good habits behind the wheel. We see the “ah-ha” moments as they learn what their cars are capable of and how the techniques they learn can be utilized to get them to a safe place when needed.
Attended the Nashville course with my son and I don't know that I could say enough good things about this course and the instructors. The information was beneficial for not only teens, but the adults as well. Thank you so much for the amazing experience!
## A Life-Changing Experience: Our B.R.A.K.E.S. Driving School Adventure
My daughter and I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the B.R.A.K.E.S. Driving School in Phoenix, an experience that has left an indelible mark on both of us. The school's origins, rooted in the tragic loss of two sons by a father, make its mission even more poignant. The father's determination to prevent such tragedies led him to create B.R.A.K.E.S., a driving school dedicated to teaching teens and their parents essential safety skills.
One of the most remarkable aspects of B.R.A.K.E.S. is its focus on practical, real-world driving techniques. Unlike traditional driver's education courses, B.R.A.K.E.S. takes place on a closed course, allowing for controlled and safe learning environments. The curriculum covers a wide range of essential skills, including panic braking, crash avoidance, and car control and recovery. These lessons are not only crucial for teenage drivers but also provide valuable insights for parents who want to support their children's driving education.
The instructors at B.R.A.K.E.S. are truly exceptional. They are highly skilled professionals who come from all over the country to share their expertise. Their passion for safety and their ability to connect with both teens and parents create a supportive and engaging learning atmosphere.
Overall, our experience at B.R.A.K.E.S. was nothing short of amazing. The school's commitment to safety, the quality of the instruction, and the life-changing skills we learned make it a must-attend for any teen driver and their parents. If you're looking for a driving school that goes beyond the basics and equips your teen with the tools they need to stay safe on the road, B.R.A.K.E.S. is the perfect choice.
Exceptional in every way!!!!!!! My son benefited from this magnificent nonprofit!! I can’t recommend it enough!!! Beneficial beyond measure!!!
Our son has his driver's permit and we wanted to ensure that he had exposure to tough driving situations in a safe learning environment and we are so grateful that BRAKES provided exactly that opportunity. The "lecture" portion for the students was short and informative - not to short or too long - I thought it was perfect, then they sent the kids out to be with the instructors and the parents stayed for a bit more class time. One item that was super helpful was advice about insurance, they suggested great questions to ask our insurance agent to make sure our family and assets were covered in case of the unthinkable. I highly recommend this class for teen drivers - honestly the short driving course they let the parents participate in was super fun too!
I recently took my two sons, aged 16 and 18, to B.R.A.K.E.S., and it was an invaluable experience for all of us. The hands-on training provided essential skills for managing situations that can lead to accidents. Some of the training includes proper steering technique when roads are slick and your tires begin to skid or you need to slam on your brakes and practicing how to keep the vehicle under control when your tires drop off the shoulder.
Not only was it educational, but it was also engaging and fun. We came away feeling much more prepared to handle unexpected challenges on the road. The program served as a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, especially when distracted by cell phones or even passengers.
I truly appreciate B.R.A.K.E.S. for making this critical education accessible to everyone. Their commitment to promoting safe driving practices is commendable, and I highly recommend this program to any family looking to enhance their driving skills.
The time spent with BRAKES was a great experience. My son and I found the information and practice to be very valuable. Thank you for all the effort that is put into all the events.
This was a great and well organized driving class. There were lots of people but plenty of instructors. My daughter definitely came out just a few hours later with more knowledge and experience than she arrived with.
This was a great program where my teen learned a lot and is better prepared to drive in different weather conditions. They even had parents participate and learn something! I would recommend it to anyone with young drivers.
My son participated in the B.R.A.K.E.S. program last month at zMax. He was dreading it, but his mother was adamant that he was taking the course. I was skeptical because he has been behind the wheel since he was 8. He is very cautious and a good driver. Parents try to teach their kids skills to keep them safe. This program is so important because most parents are not teaching them behind wheel defensive driving skills -in a safe environment- the correct way. Here, they are taught how to handle running off the road, encountering an animal or person, what to do if you hydroplane, or skid on black ice. All of these are life altering events if it happens and they have no experience, or have not been taught the correct way to handle the situation. Our son learned techniques that are not taught in drivers education and ones that you hope they don’t learn in a real life situation. It gave him the opportunity to practice life-saving maneuvers that he would not do otherwise. By the end of the program he was all in, he had a big smile on his face, and thought it was a “pretty cool program”. This is a great program, the instructors were all polished, well versed, and properly educated to train. I am retired military and wanted to know how I could become an instructor. I was so impressed that I have recommended it to everyone I know that has a teen driver. Thank you Doug for taking a tragedy and turning it into a program to keep other parents from having the same experience. Thank you B.R.A.K.E.S. for sharing this lifesaving program!
It’s hard to get a teenager up for 8 am course but my son was eager to drive and spin out someone else’s car around and around. Great for parents too as we got to practice crash driving and look at big trucks and their blind spots too. Super organized, efficient and fun day for all and it’s FREE. It’s obvious from the volunteers and instructors that everyone is committed to keeping the kids safe. BRAKES is an impactful course that will save lives.
My son was very reluctant to go, but afterwards was bragging about how much he learned and how much safer he felt
I have had both of my teenagers complete this program and highly recommend it for all teen drivers. It was so helpful and knowledgeable even for me being an adult. My teens tell everyone about it and want to do it again. The life skills they learn and on hand training, helped simulate real life scenarios for them and taught them how to react. Can't recommend this enough!
Excellent instructors and a fantastic course for teaching teens the importance of defensive driving. It can often be hard to explain things to teens in a way they think is "cool" but these instructors did a great job mixing humor and seriousness to teach the kids how to be safe on the road.
Highly recommended!
(Parent of a teen who went through the course)
This program is so valuable. I am so grateful that my teen was able to take this advanced driving course. They teach life saving techniques that are not taught in regular drivers education. Thank you thank you thank you!
We took all 3 of our grandchildren to this school at different times. They learned so much about driving they are teaching me things I didn't know. I really enjoyed the parent course as well. I highly recommend this school and I tell everyone I know about it.
All 3 of my daughters have attended the BRAKES driver training program and each of them have told me that they have used that training to get them out of potential crashes numerous times!!
Thank you to everyone that works with this charity for providing such an excellent experience it makes parents sleep better at night knowing that their teen driver has made it home safely.
This is a great program for young drivers. I made all my children take the course. They don't come to Raleigh very often, and the classes fill up quick. Every time, I have to set my schedule to jump on the registration when it opens. Several times, it fills up before I can get my child registered and then I have to wait until the next session. Anyhow, I feel better knowing that my kids have had experience driving in hazardous conditions. They get to practice on the driving course and have experts teach them what to do. They get to actually feel the car slipping and sliding. I recommend this course to all my friends.
This company is amazing. The people are very friendly and professional.
It would be great if every young (and old!) driver could have the opportunity to participate in this driving experience. Very beneficial information and experience.
Parents spend countless financial resources and extended hours escorting their kids to sports, music, and dance practices every week to enhance their extracurricular skill sets. Of course, we endeavor to make them the next Simone Biles, Steph Curry, or Travis Hunter. Yet, we rarely invest in their driving aptitude, which can be a life-or-death scenario anytime they hit the roads!
Well, I have a solution for you. Presented by Kia, make sure to enroll your son or daughter in Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe). This pro-active and defensive driving school provides teens with situational awareness behind the wheel. Sadly, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 18-year-olds in the United States. Though, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, graduates of B.R.A.K.E.S. are 64% less likely to become involved in a crash within their first three years of driving. Rightfully, why wouldn’t you take a few hours on the weekend to ensure your daughter or son receives the requisite defensive driving tutelage from pro instructors?
Kimatni Rawlins, www.AutomotiveRhythms.com
Incredible instructors! The 3 hours were quick paced and very informative. Kids had a great time and are more confident when driving.
This was an amazing program and my son learned so much and had fun while learning. It was also informative for the parents and I enjoyed the activities they offered for the parents. I would highly recommend this event for all ages.
This is the most amazing program! So much valuable information provided in just a few hours! Thank you to everyone involved!
I love that the teens get so much driving practice in a closed course, which is a safe environment for them to learn. Watching them become more confident with each repetition through the courses is very rewarding. The muscle memory that they build up stays with them so that if they experience a similar situation they can react with safe techniques. I highly recommend all teens take this program.
I have been involved with the B.R.A.K.E.S program since 2012 and have instructed over 100+ schools. My role has primarily been focused on providing in-car, behind the wheel, advanced driver training for teenagers. I also present a classroom program to assist parents with quality training for their students.
The curriculum includes; Car Control (skid pad), ABS braking, Crash Avoidance, Slalom and Drop Wheel recovery. Attendance at this program has been documented to reduce the crash rates of teens by 64% (Dr. Friday UNC Charlotte).
Insurance companies will recognize B.R.A.K.E.S students excellent training and offer reduced rates.
BRAKES is a very great program for Teens and Program to experience together. They walk away on the "same page" regarding the skills, techniques and terminology. The instructors are professional and care about the Teens, Parents and the BRAKES program.
Don't miss out on the best opportunity to provide you Teen driver with great role models and develop the life-saving skills needed to survive out on the road today.
All 3 of my sons have completed the BRAKES Proactive driving program. They take driving seriously and we discuss what we learned in the class on a regular basis. The program, instructors and volunteers are professional and dedicated. Thanks Doug for creating this driving school..
I put my daughter through the BRAKES program because I wanted her to get more advanced training than I felt that I could give her and because she was 18 before she was able to get her license due to my family being stationed overseas until she graduated from high school. I did not feel she was ready to drive by herself, but had to wait until we could get her into a class. BRAKES provides the best training in the most dangerous situations so that when your teen is required to know what to do at the time of something serious happening it is not the first time they are experiencing that situation because the BRAKES instructors put them through those situations in a closed course secure environment. The teens learn through repetition and the training stays with them. I recommend this to everyone I talk to with teens.
I was lucky enough to secure a spot for my now nearly 21 year old daughter just after she passed her permit test several years ago. The class was amazing - from the videos to the hands on training. She walked away with tools to navigate better and with additional confidence. Three years later, I sent my son back too. (And he fell in love with a Kia, which we later purchased for his 16th birthday!)
This program is The Best in hands on training for teens to actually experience the car in different situations on the road. It really prepares them for the road, and as a parent, I am more at ease knowing they have these skills under their belt!
J. W.
BRAKES has provided thousands of teens and parents important training in defensive driving. My two younger brothers and I have attended this course and it has really given me a peace of mind that they will know how to handle intense and sudden situations while driving. I would recommend this program to anyone with a new driver as it is a life saving course.
I feel all teens should attend a B.R.A.K.E.S. training. The skills learned can keep them safer on the roads.
This is an amazing organization that has trained more than 110,000 teens and their parents about proactive defensive driving.
The training includes lots of behind-the-wheel instruction with experts, helping both young and older, more experienced drivers better prepare themselves while they are driving.
It's an absolute must for everyone!
My daughter went through their course this weekend and loved it! I was overly impressed with it and learned a lot of new things that will help me in the future. My daughter learned many useful and life saving maneuvers that will last her a lifetime, make her a better driver, and keep her safer on the roads. Very grateful for this B.R.A.K.E.S course and the wonderful instructors!!
Hands down one of the BEST parenting decisions I have ever made. My teenage daughters participated in this amazing class and learned absolutely invaluable lessons in how to drive defensively. I pray they will never need to apply those skills, but the reality is highly likely that they will need them in the next year(according to the average teenage driving statistics). The staff was incredible and my daughters enjoyed it way more than they thought they would. Highly recommend this class, this should be a requirement for teenagers to receive their unrestricted license.
All 3 of our sons have completed the BRAKES driving school. They, to this day, comment on skills that they have learned during the class that they have used on the road. Using the skills learned from the drop wheel course and crash avoidance have prevented serious accidents. I believe this course also instills confidence in a young driver.
I am 100% certain that this class made my daughter the confident, courteous, and alert driver that she is today. As a parent, it has given me more peace of mind while she is out on the roads. I will help promote this class every chance I get. My almost 17 year old daughter wishes there was a follow up class so she can take it again. She loved it.
I knew I wanted my son to take the BRAKES course as soon as he turned 16. I signed him up and an ice/snow storm cancelled the class. I signed him up for another class and the Ice/snow cancelled another class. Life got busy and we didn’t reschedule. 5 months later my son ran off the side of the road, over corrected and hit a tree. Luckily he was not hurt. I went ahead and signed him up for the next available class. 6 days before the BRAKES my son had a bump up with another car. He was afraid to drive at this point. BRAKES taught him a lot in the couple hours we were there. They even gave him a little extra driving time. He drove away feeling much better about driving. We talked about what all he learned and ended up having to use some defensive driving on the way home due to a big basketball goal in the middle of the Interstate. I will forever be grateful for what BRAKES has taught not only me but my son too. With me working for an insurance company I will tell all young drivers and parents about the BRAKES course and hope they can get as much out of it as we did. Thank you Jennifer Ritchie for giving us the info about this class and helping us sign up.
My son and attended this past Sunday. We had a great experience and learned so much. Very organized.
My teen daughter and I attended one of BRAKES sessions, and it was an incredible experience. I can’t recommend it enough. Everything was top notch, and the instruction was invaluable! When my son is old enough to drive, we’ll definitely be back!
I took my 15 yr old driver to this class. She was reluctant and didn’t “need” class having already completed drivers Ed. Not only did she enjoy it and learn a lot, she thanked me for taking her. It was such a good class for both parents and kids. Highly recommend to everyone with teens!
I have witnessed BRAKES build a generation in of responsible young drivers, with skills and capabilities available no other way. Help them!
My now 30 year old daughter was in the first Southern California class over a decade ago. I can count at least three times it has saved her life in emergency situations and can’t count the number of situations she has avoided because of BRAKES training. This program makes better drivers of all who attend and is priceless!
The B.R.A.K.E.S program offers an invaluable experience with essential information that can help teen drivers in difficult situations. The staff truly help you to learn from your mistakes and understand how to apply the information they are giving you into a real scenario. I personally took the class and after seeing first-hand how helpful it can be, I decided to volunteer because I believe in what the program has to offer.
Best opportunity to provide teens with the ability to develop and enhance their driving skills. B.R.A.K.E.S addresses the top 5 reasons teens crash, not just in Kansas but across the nation. As a retired Kansas State Trooper, I know I could have prevented more crashes and saved more lives if I could have partnered with B.R.A.K.E.S earlier in my career. Now retired and working as a B.R.A.K.E.S. Instructor I am able to continue working with teens and parents to reduce families having to endure traffic related tragedies. Grateful for the opportunity to work with B.R.A.K.E.S.!
I have been a volunteer driving instructor with both high performance driving and defensive driving for teenagers. This program is a great way to teach teens things they will never learn in regular drivers ed. Situational awareness, car control and proper seating/steering/braking are invaluable skills and EVERY teen (and lots of adults) would benefit from this program. Time and effort well invested to give teens the tools they need to be better drivers.
I am a volunteer with B.R.A.K.E.S who previously worked for 46 years as an insurance claims adjuster working primarily on investigating automobile accidents.
The lessons that B.R.A.K.E.S provides for young drivers are the types of situations that are seldom, if ever, taught by driving schools or parents instructing their new drivers.
From experience I can tell you that the B.R.A.K.E.S scenarios deal with what drivers face every day on the roads.
In my work I investigated countless accidents that may well have been avoided if only the drivers involved had known what B.R.A.K.E.S teaches.
As a teenager, I never realized the risk that is given to us when getting our license, I mainly focused on the thought of the independence of becoming a driver. When my parents introduced me to the BRAKES program, I thought it was just another basic driving program. However, after going through the course, I realized that BRAKES is so much more than
JUST a driving program. BRAKES not only gave me a newfound respect for driving but helped me become more confident during high-stress situations. Each instructor I met during my time at BRAKES showed their passion to teach more teens useful, lifesaving driving techniques. I want to personally thank the BRAKES family for showing me great kindness and for giving me the skills that could help save me when driving.
As a teen driver this program has helped me immensely, this course provides hands on experiences to real life situations you will face when driving. As well as teaching you how to react in the correct and safest manor. Not only did this course teach me safe driving skills but also gave my family and I a sense of safety and security when I take on the road. I recommend this course to everyone even experienced drivers, everyone can take something from this course!
Back in Dec 2019 my oldest daughter and her best friend attended the BRAKES school at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, CA. As a typical teen, she didn't want to go, didn't need it and so on. After the event, which I also attended, all my daughter and her friend could talk about was how fun it was and they were glad we "made" them participate in the school. My daughter even said she learned more in a few hours at the BRAKES program than days at the very expensive driving school she attended. The BRAKES staff and instructors were fun, educational and engaging to not only the kids, but all the parents. Hate to admit-I even learned a couple things.
So now it is time for my middle son and youngest daughter to start driving school and they WANT to go to the BRAKES Driving School because my oldest talked it up so much. Of course, we are happy to take them--Aug 2022. Even my wife wants to attend this time to see what all the excitement is about.
Lastly, I am glad that BRAKES continues to be a free program for those that need it. I, for one, at the very least, am happy to have my $200 ($100/child)"hold fee" be donated to the program so other kids can benefit as well. For all the kids learn, this is still a bargain--not to mention a tax write-off and a healthy auto insurance discount. Proud of Doug Herbert and the BRAKES team for all they do to keep our kids safe.
This past Sunday myself and my 16 year old son participated in the BRAKES program at Belle Isle. I truly cannot express how impressive the entire day was. From the online registration to the check in to both gentleman who spoke before the kids went on their way, this was so well organized and thought out. The best part I think was the joy that the instructors had in trying to teach and keep our kids safe so they do not become a statistic. A nice touch was having the Michigan State Police there to answer questions and give us some insight. Also very much loved the adult participation, got to drive a sweet Kia K5. This was one of those events that I could not even critique if I wanted to do. Very well done, thank you for all that you do.
In 2019, I saw an interview with pro Drag Racer Clay Millican. Clay was speaking about a program called 'Put on the B.R.A.K.E.S..' A program that teaches teen drivers defensive driving techniques. I knew, from what I had seen as a long-haul trucker of 40 years, that I had to get involved. That was the beginning of my 4 year association as a volunteer with this incredible organization. I wish this program was available to me and my friends during our teen years when we did some pretty stupid things due to overconfidence. I encourage every parent with teenage drivers to sign them up for this course. I am happy to travel thousands of miles yearly just to be a small part in this life-saving program.
While the work they do is important and well done, I find it problematic that if you pay your deposit with a credit card, your deposit is not refundable. In a world where the use of checks is going away, this is policy needs to be revisited. I run a non-profit, so I very much understand the nuances of online payment platforms. Obviously, there are fees using credit cards, so a refund, minus the credit card fees would be a feasible option. There is obviously staff time taken to cut checks for those who paid with check. It seems pretty basic that staff time can be used to refund deposits, minus credit card fees.
dherbert 05/23/2022
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience you’ve experienced regarding our credit card refund policy. We are working hard to implement a new registration system to keep up with these ever changing times. Once our new system is in place, our policy will be updated to allow us to refund credit cards, after attending the B.R.A.K.E.S. program. We thank you for your input and for giving us the opportunity to improve our organization. We always strive to give our participants the most positive experience.
Nothing but praise for this excellent program! Highly recommend all parents to enroll your teen drivers.
We took our daughter to the B.R.A.K.E.S. class and it was the best experience for a new driver that any parent could ever ask for. The instructors were patient, informative, and fun. They gave our daughter lots of information and tips. They also gave us parents lots of information and tips! The classes are free and so worth it. I highly recommend them!
Both of my boys took this course and were thankful for the experience. It gave them skills to improve their driving that had not been achieved through Drivers Ed or through driving with their parents. I strongly recommend this course, I know it has saved lives.
Our son completed the course in 2018. He learned so much about defensive driving. Our daughter just completed in August 2021. Both learned about safety and awareness on the road while building confidence behind the wheel. Thank you for your service, through your loss you have saved many.
I highly recommended this organization!! My daughter reluctantly attended the program with my encouragement. She ended up having a great time and learning a lot. The program gave her confidence as a new driver with hands on experience. I am truly grateful for all you do to keep new drivers safe. Thank you to all those that make this wonderful organization happen.
This organization is amazing & truly epic. The work they do is with true love & intentions to prevent as much heartache for families as possible. All kids think they know it all & this school shows us adults that we don't know it all either. It is a learning experience for drivers of all ages. It is a school that teaches real world driving situations & how to handle them. We are so thankful that our children were able to attend this wonderful program. (and us) It is a true blessing to all communities that are fortunate to have this program. Doug Herbert is an an amazing man to take such an unfathomable heartbreaking experience and find a way to help others. Thank you. So sorry for your losses.
I enrolled my son in this course 4 years ago and he has used many of the skills he learned and has been a great driver.
He has recommended it to many other new drivers and I have as well.
Can’t say enough great things about the course!
Andy McGinnis
2/3 kids have went though. Our youngest will go through this fall after drivers training. Such a valuable tool for young drivers.
Both sons went through the program and are safe accident free drivers. Every teenager should take this amazing class !!!
I highly recommend this program to all teen drivers. This is a hands on experience that these teens will take with them while driving. My son who is nervous to drive felt more confident when he left. The best defensive driving course I have seen.
Thank you, BRAKES!
My dad and I went into this program when I had my temps to just save a few bucks on insurance but we walked out with a whole lot of experience in which has saved the both of us from car accidents in which we think we wouldn't have been able to avoid before. Even though we took the program 3 years ago this fall, everything still comes back to muscle memory if it is needed. I remember specifically they have one activity in which it simulates an object on the road that you didn't see until the last minute or a driver pulls out and stops in the road. Unfortunately, the second situation happened to me when it was wet conditions and where a driver pulled out and then stopped after they saw my car coming. With my B.R.A.K.E.S. training, I was able to swerve out of the lane at the last moment after the car pulled out and was able to keep my car under control in wet weather, all without having to think about doing anything. That is the beauty of this program, they are able to put muscle memory into your driving so that you do not have to think about what your next move is, or if you are going to wreck.
Both of our daughters took this class back in 2017 one was 17 and the other was 18 years old. We talk about this program often and they have both said that the training that they received from this class has saved them from serious wrecks maybe even more serious consequences had the situation taken a different turn.
This is such a great organization. The skills they taught my daughters have made them better more aware drivers. I would highly recommend it for all teen drivers.
Such a great organization. The skills they taught my daughter have made her a better driver. I would highly recommend it for all teen drivers
I heard about B.R.A.K.E.S. from a former colleague of mine. At the time, my daughter was 16, but not yet licensed. Driving with her made me uneasy, I wasn’t confident that SHE was confident. Spending the morning with Doug’s team gave my daughter tools that no traditional driving school could have done. She walked out of the program with a better grasp on the bigger picture and a better understanding of how to handle her car in precarious situations. My daughter walked into her driving test a few weeks later with her head held high. In addition, I am MUCH more cognizant of my own driving. I have recommended this class to any and every one I talk to.
First volunteering for a single Saturday morning of kicking cones with B.R.A.K.E.S. at Pomona, CA in December of 2009, this driving program immediately fascinated me…a grass roots beginning, a small group of dedicated instructor drivers, and a deeply genuine desire among them all to benefit families with a new teen aged driver afoot. What a favorable impression! It definitely inspired a return trip to volunteer the following day.
Since that first day ten years ago it has been my privilege to have participated with B.R.A.K.E.S. in over 160 singular driving program sessions in numerous Southern California locations. They have graciously provided me additional participation opportunities conducting local program promotions and group presentations to organizations such as National Life Savers Conference, National Charity League, Home School Network, and Universal Technical Institute.
My amassed total volunteer hours now number in excess of 815. B.R.A.K.E.S. has now grown way beyond what my mind could have possibly imagined. Yet not even once, not ever, has this team of people lost its rudimentary commitment to its grass roots beginnings nor its genuine desire to first benefit the participating families.
My daughter took this class when she was 17 years old, that was 4 years ago. She has told me of several times that the training that she received from this class has saved her from serious wrecks maybe even more serious consequences had the situation taken a different turn. This is a great program and it is well worth it to attend.
All three of my sons have taken this beneficial program. I know the “life-saving skills” they have learned prepared (and will continue to prepare) them for several unexpected situations,
The passion and quality of the instructors and staff are top notch!
We really didn't know what to expect from this event before we arrived. We were out of town when the school was held in our hometown, so we drove 2 hours last Saturday to Topeka. Our daughter is 15 and has been to drivers education classes and completed her 30 hours. The B.R.A.K.E.S. school was not only excellent for her - my husband and I both learned a lot too! I can't recommend this school enough - I have told everyone I know about it AND volunteered to work this event in our hometown next year! The staff is top-notch, professional and very helpful. W-O-W! The afternoon was worth far more than $99. For the piece of mind it gave us, it's priceless.
God Bless Doug Herbert and all of the staff! THANK YOU!
This is a fantastic program with a wealth of amazing instructors, presenters, resources and information. The program is so well organized and not a moment is wasted. From the moment you arrive until when you leave, it's lively, fun, honest, well orchestrated, full of great instruction both for the teens AND the parents. The people are ALL amazing - funny, nice, helpful, interesting, interested - can't say enough good things about B.R.A.K.E.S. The only thing that would make it better is if every teen driver in the country (and beyond!) had access to it.
This class is a MUST for all new drivers. It provided valuable road lessons that proved very helpful for my daughter. She had her license for almost a year when she got T-boned going thru an intersection near our home. Because of this class she was able to remain calm & knew how to handle the car to get it to stop safely with out hurting any pedestrians or another car. She did take out a cross walk pole as a result. Her brand new 2018 Jeep Cherokee was totaled and thankfully her & her 2 friends were able to walk away from the crash with minor injuries. The police told her if not for safe car she was driving and her keen sense to remain calm it could of been a very different situation. Thankful all the passengers had seat belts on which also contributed to saving lives. She tells all her friends & parents of friends to have their child take this class. I’d pay $1000 for this class & for have it for $100 is a steal!
I really appreciate their commitment to excellence and teen driver training. Learning how to experience a car in a test environment where it is skidding or challenging to control is so important to being able to cope with situations new drivers face.
After having training, one time my daughter dropped a wheel off the road while I was in the passenger seat. She calmly and easily drove the vehicle back onto the road without panicking or jerking the wheel or vehicle. This was all due to BRAKES! it is also outstanding that they have KIA as a sponsor. I will definitely look seriously at KIA the next time I have to purchase!
This course is extremely well put together. I (for they had a small adult portion too) can now confidently use my ABS without fear of flipping and know how to set my mirrors. My daughter felt encouraged and supported for the whole class. She came home from school today and said that she had accidentally dropped a wheel off the side of the road on her way home. She said she used to panic when this happened and would yank the car back on the road immediately, but today she did what she learned to do in class and felt good about doing it.
The instructors were patient, thorough, and treated all the kids with self-fulfilling prophecies about the kids' abilities. There was not one I saw who seemed to be less enthusiastic than the others.
Thank you for putting this on. I have recommended it to several families in our neighborhood.
Also, I WANT ONE JUST FOR ADULTS! These are skills I could use too.
This is an incredible program!!! My son took the BRAKES course and he is a much wiser driver for it. It allows teens an opportunity to experience different scenarios in a controlled environment so they are prepared to respond safely on the roads. Everyone should be required to take this course.
I got involved with Brakes several years ago as a volunteer and continue to help whenever I can. Since then, I've also had one teen go through the program and another going through this fall. Brakes is a learning experience that may just save your child's life...or yours! This is not your typical driver education and you will learn as much as your teen! I encourage everyone I know to get involved with this program. It will far exceed any expectation that you have!
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I was so impressed with the BRAKES program, Doug and his story, and the amazing people who work for this organization, that I became a volunteer. I tell everyone I can about the program and how much it means, as a parent, to know that your new driver has additional driving knowledge and skills, that they don't get from a traditional drivers ed program, to help keep them safer on the roads.
This is a terrific nonprofit that has saved countless teens' lives through the training they offer. They also put the parents behind the wheel to learn some of the safety tactics, and I was grateful to have the training to recover from a tire slipping off the shoulder and to experience anti-lock brakes at full capacity. One of the best things they taught my whole family was how to properly use the side mirrors for your blind spots -- most people have them in the wrong angle, preventing them from seeing their blind spot without looking over a shoulder. Sign your kid up well in advance. They book up quickly.
BRAKES offers an amazing program that helps make teens better drivers to make our roads safer for them and everybody. I drove a long ways many times just so my three kids would have the opportunity to learn from the incredible instructors involved with this program. I can't recommend it highly enough.
They begin with a truly enlightening video that grabs their attention and immediately makes them see the importance of safe driving skills. After that, the kids get into the vehicles provided by BRAKES. The behind-the-wheel training is invaluable and the opportunity to drive the skid cars, obstacle courses and speed/control tests with professional drivers is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I had to drag all three of my kids to the class but afterwards, they were very glad they went. Not only did they learn a ton, they had a great time.
Doug Herbert and his staff provide such a valuable service and they are fantastic at doing it. They truly have hearts for giving and are doing this for all the right reasons. Unlike some charities that keep a large portion of donations, BRAKES puts nearly all donated money into directly helping the teens drive more safely. Thank heavens for Doug and BRAKES for doing all they can to keep our teens accident free and our roads safer.
It always bothered me that most Driver's Ed classes only teach beginning drivers enough to drive safely under normal conditions and not how to respond to emergencies, or at best, they only teach you the theory of what you should do in such situations.
No classroom instruction compares to the real experience of feeling your car sliding out of control with poor traction and you having to stay cool and respond appropriately. Or what it feels like in a panic stop when ABS kicks in and it's up to you to not hit something.
Many of these common driving experiences can be mastered easily and become second nature when you get a chance to actually experience and learn to handle them under controlled, safe conditions. Unfortunately, for many (most?) young drivers, the first time they experience things like this, it's for real, they have no idea what to do or they panic and the results can be devastating.
The "drop wheel" exercise gives drivers a feel for what happens when a wheel drops off onto the shoulder (when needing to avoid an object or pot-hole or just with inattentive driving). This is a situation which leads to a surprising number of serious accidents with inexperienced drivers, as the dynamics of the car change unexpectedly and they overreact.
The "distraction" exercise is a sneaky, brilliant way of impressing on young drivers how much even a little bit of distraction (the radio, friends talking or horsing around, your driving instructor asking you a question) can lead to accidents if you don't learn to avoid distractions or tune then out at critical times.
The whole point of B.R.A.K.E.S. is to give drivers more awareness, to stay calm and appropriately handle common driving situations that could otherwise be serious, by giving them actual experience before it happens to them for real.
I also recommend these sorts of programs that give you experience handling situations in the actual car you drive, as different vehicles can respond differently.
Best investment in your teenage drivers safety you can possibly make. They teach driving defensive, and offensive survival skills for real world driving, not the "fair weather" driving that the kids are taught in regular driving schools.
I heard about this program through a casual conversation with a parent of a teen that had attended. My teen was less than thrilled to hear that we would be leaving at 5am on a Sunday morning to drive 2 hours to attend "another driving class".
Once she got there her attitude change completely, the instructors are not only knowledgeable but excellent communicators with the teens.
We all had an incredibly fun time learning skills that will last a lifetime.
My daughter didn't stop talking about the program the entire ride home!
We are telling everyone we know to register their young drivers.
THANK YOU to the entire staff for their dedication to this program.
As the mother of two BRAKES graduates I can tell you the course was a priceless experience. My kids, like most, walked in early one Saturday morning not necessarily thrilled to be there and walked out four hours later with huge smiles and a lot more confidence behind the wheel. They both escaped some very close calls while driving and I am convinced that if it hadn't been for BRAKES the outcome would have been much worse. As a board member I can tell you we get letters all the time from participants who write to thank Doug Herbert and the staff for saving their lives. Phrases like "I heard the BRAKES instructor in my head so I knew what to do" or "when x happened I had learned not to panic" when faced with a serious crisis on the road are common themes. BRAKES is amazing at teaching kids ways to handle a car when things go wrong - which they almost inevitably will. I am very thankful my now-adult children are now armed with driving skills they'll have for the rest of their lives - and I learned quite a bit along the way as well.
This is an amazing program that both my boys have gone through. It helped me to feel more confident in their driving skills and put them into driving situations that I was unwilling or unable to do myself and taught them how to properly handle each situation.
As a friend of Doug I went there one time just to see what The brakes foundation was all about and thought it was amazing but didn't really have a driving experience. Sometime later I brought my teenage great nephew to take the course and I had a chance to drive the cars and I've got to say that there is nothing better for a teenager or anyone for that matter than to experience firsthand behind the wheel training with a professional instructor in extreme environments and conditions
This class is going to save many many lives and I'm a big supporter and I tell all my friends about it on Facebook.
God bless Doug Herbert for honoring his boys and creating this amazing contribution to the world.
Doug Herbert is a true American hero !
Ira Chester. Attorney at law
Valuable defensive driving skills taught by professional race drivers. The four hour program is top notch and I look forward to enrolling my other children when they are of age and eligible to enroll. There are skills taught that a traditional driving school does not so B.R.A.K.E.S does a great job of filling that gap.
I Donate a small amount $25 dollars each year for my teen son, lost in a car accident along with three others in the vehicle. Such a small amount to help other teens get the experience from behind the wheel to save lives on the street's!.... I love what they do and Thank all involved.
Outstanding organization at all levels. Over 400,000 teen age drivers end up in the emergency room each year because of distracted driving. Let's help make this program available to everyone.
My son and I participated in this pro-active driving course. Loved every minute of it. All aspects were informative and invaluable. My son feels that he got some real experience that he would not have had unless it actually happened in real-time. I only wish I knew about this program sooner so my two older kids could've gone through the course! Even I, as a parent and driver of 30 years, learned a lot. I was pleasantly surprised that the parents were also taken through some of the course tracks for some practice and experience. The big-rig being there on site was also a huge plus! I worry about my kids driving with those huge trailers on the road and my kids not knowing how to drive along with them. Very, very, informative. And all the instructors and volunteers were awesome!! I would HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone! :)
My two oldest children went through the program. They learned skills that are not taught in Driver's Ed but are crucial to being safe. Among other things, they learned and practiced how to safely get a wheel back on the road, how to control a car in a skid, how to safely handle antilock brakes, how to avoid a sudden emergency like a child or deer in the road, and they climbed into the cab of a truck surrounded by cars and saw the blind spots.
The teachers are professional driving teachers who teach folks like the Secret Service, and when i got in the car with one, I learned a lot.
The school is free, paid for entirely with donations, although i donated my deposit.
I sent my kids because a friend's daughter had gone through the program and credited BRAKEs with saving her life and two others in the car when she hit a patch of ice and skidded into the left lane.
These people are good, people, obviously dedicated to keeping young drivers safe, and with no other agenda. I was so impressed.
dherbert 04/13/2017
Thank you so much! We are SO glad that BRAKES training was valuable to you and your teen driver!
Review from Guidestar
Comments ( 1 )
dherbert 04/23/2017 Thank you for your testimony of BRAKES! We are happy that the training has been beneficial!