Southern Crescent Technical College has been awarded a $25,190 grant from the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission to support driver education programs in the local area. The grant makes it possible for local high school students to take advantage of driver education courses, free of charge.
“The ability to move a car skillfully is not the same as the ability to drive safely,” said Mark Andrews with Southern Crescent Technical College’s driver’s education program. “SCTC is pleased to offer a driver’s education course that will help students in our region master vehicle performance skills while developing appropriate responses to minimize risk.”
The grant, which runs through June 30, 2016, will help finance driver’s education locally by providing classes with 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind the wheel experience with a trained instructor.
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers and we are committed to providing students with the education and experience needed to avoid tragedy” said GDEC chairman Harris Blackwood. “This grant will help Southern Crescent Technical College equip young drivers in the community to be safer behind the wheel.”
This program is offered by SCTC in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission (GDEC), the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services (DDS) and the Georgia State Patrol. Driver’s Education Training will be provided by the College in its 11-county service area to 24 high schools.
The GDEC Grant will cover the cost for the training of 286 students participating in an approved 36-hour Driver Education Training Program that meets all requirements mandated under Joshua’s Law. Classes are scheduled to be held in Griffin, Thomaston, Jackson, Monticello, Butler, Zebulon, Barnesville and McDonough.
Classes are divided into two parts: 30 hours classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Students are eligible to participate in the course when they turn 15 years of age and attain a DDS driving permit. Eligibility ends on the student’s 18th birthday or six months after the student completes the 12th grade, whichever occurs later.
For more information about the driver’s education program, contact Angie Weatherford at 706-646-6151 or aweatherford@sctech.edu.
