Program Was Founded in 2008 by Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert, Following Tragic Car Crash Deaths of His Two Sons
- More than 150,000 teens and parents have been trained over the past 15 years.
- Teens who graduate from B.R.A.K.E.S. are 64 percent less likely to be in a car crash up to three years after completing training.
Concord, NC (August 27, 2025) – Looking to save lives and make Virginia roadways safer, the free national pro-active teen driver training program B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) will make its first-ever appearance in Richmond with training sessions on September 6 and 7 at Richmond Raceway Complex.
The program is presented with support from YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety), the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Three-hour training sessions will be held:
- September 6 (Saturday) classes will start at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 3 p.m.
- September 7 (Sunday) classes will begin at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Location:
- Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E Laburnum Avenue, Richmond 23222
Car crashes are among the leading causes of death among teens. Through their participation in the pro-active defensive driving program, B.R.A.K.E.S. graduates are 64 percent less likely to get in a crash within their first three years of driving, according to an independent study conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The 501(c)(3) charity was founded by multi-time Top Fuel drag racing champion Doug Herbert in honor of his two sons, Jon and James, who lost their lives in a tragic car crash in 2008. Herbert turned that personal tragedy into a lifesaving mission that has trained more than 150,000 teens and their parents to date.
The visit to Richmond marks the latest expansion of the program, which established records for weekend visits and total teens and parents trained in 2024. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring our life-saving program to Richmond, as we further our efforts to bring B.R.A.K.E.S. training to new locations across the country,” said Herbert.
Utilizing vehicles provided by Kia Motors, B.R.A.K.E.S. offers teens extensive behind-the-wheel instruction from professional trainers including current and former law enforcement officers and professional racing drivers, teaching the teens and their parents how to be safer on the road. Exercises include Distracted Driving Awareness, Panic Braking, Crash Avoidance, Drop-wheel/Off-road Recovery and Car Control/Skid Recovery.
B.R.A.K.E.S. is NOT Driver’s Ed. It is a FREE, hands-on, advanced driver training program taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers and stunt drivers. B.R.A.K.E.S. maintains a low two -to-one student-to-instructor ratio to maximize educational effectiveness.
About B.R.A.K.E.S.
Doug Herbert’s B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) is a GuideStar Platinum-rated 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to prevent injuries and save lives by training and educating teenage drivers and their parents about the importance of safe and responsible driving. B.R.A.K.E.S. was founded in 2008 after Top Fuel drag racer Doug Herbert lost his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash. Today, more than 150,000 teens and parents from 50 different states and five countries have participated in the B.R.A.K.E.S. intensive training course.
