2011 DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOLARSHIP - DEADLINE APRIL 22, 2011

DRIVING SKILLS SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUNG DRIVERS CAN SAVE LIVES

AND REDUCE AUTO INSURANCE COSTS

Parents with a new driver in the family brace themselves for many worrisome good-byes as their newly-licensed teen drives away.  More than 6,000 kids die in car crashes in this country every year – and over 300,000 are seriously injured.  Parents are rightly concerned about their teenage driver’s safety. 

A Defensive Driving course teaches skills that can save lives.  For the tenth year, donors to the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley are providing a tuition-paid, 2-day Teen Skills Training Course through MasterDrive of Colorado Springs, plus an allowance for expenses.  Gunnison Valley teens with a Driving Learner’s Permit or a Provisional Driving Permit (ages 15 to 18) are eligible for this award that teaches car control in various conditions and situations.  The award also includes an allowance for some expenses.

The student receives individual lifesaving skills training in their own vehicle with a professional instructor, learning crash avoidance and precision maneuvering, controlling the vehicle’s changing weight dynamics, braking, backing, and skid control and recovery.

Jamey Albers, spoke enthusiastically of the program:  “MasterDrive was capped off by a parent recital, where my father commented on my recently learned skills.  He said that I was taught different things than he was, and that I was already a better driver!”  Previous winner Karleigh Stewart spoke enthusiastically of the program:  “It was so much fun and also very helpful.  I learned a lot about driving safety and what to do when you’re in a crisis situation.  I think all new drivers should attend this class.” 

The mother of another award winner saw an enormous improvement in her daughter’s driving habits between the trip over and the return trip two days later.  A side benefit was the $60 savings in each semi-annual auto insurance premium.

For more information about the driving experience, please visit MasterDrive’s website, www.masterdrive.com.  Applications for this award are available at at GHS, GVS or CBHS Offices and at the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley office, located at 805 West Tomichi (11th Street Entrance) -- or just click on the link to the right!  Please call 641-8837 for more information.  Application deadline is April 22nd at 4:00pm.