Teen Vehicle Operations Course Coming to Talladega Feb. 17-18; Children's and FEAR THIS Inc., Hosting Event

BIRMINGHAM – Children’s of Alabama and FEAR THIS, Inc., are teaming up to offer teenagers and parents a “Teen Vehicle Operations Course (TVOC)” Feb. 17-18, at the Talladega Superspeedway.

Registration is open for this eight-hour, in-car driving safety course. The cost is $75. This is a behind-the-wheel program for teens, parents and new drivers designed and taught by police officers. Space is limited. Any 15-year-old with a valid learner or driver’s permit may participate. A parent or legal guardian is required to attend this course with teens ages 15-18. To register or for more information, visit https://tvoc.ws/about/. 

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities in Alabama and the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six teenagers ages 16-19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries.

“Children’s of Alabama is excited about working with FEAR THIS to offer TVOC for the first time in Alabama,” said Marie Crew, Director of Safe Kids Alabama. “Our goal is to help young drivers gain confidence in handling critical situations on the road while giving parents the confidence that they are educating their child the best way possible about road safety,” she said.

Many teens are faced with situations that conventional driver’s education does not teach. TVOC participants will learn critical skills to help prevent crashes through specialized in-car training and classroom instruction. The course is created to give attendees assurance and peace of mind in the driver’s seat.

"Our teen drivers face situations on the road they have not been trained to handle,” said Woodrow Gaines, president and founder of FEAR THIS, Inc. “This course will simulate many common driving errors so they know what to do and keep them safe behind the wheel."

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama, 46 other states and seven foreign countries last year, representing more than 676,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. More information is available at childrensal.org.