Advanced driving course held for teens in Raleigh

According to the State Highway Patrol, the number of teen drivers killed in North Carolina is up 10% in the last five years.

While teenagers, of course, must be licensed to drive some say they need more training.

An event at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Training Center Sunday taught teens advanced driving skills.

B.R.A.K.E.S, which stands for “be responsible and keep everyone safe", isn’t your typical driver's ed.

Michael Baker, a B.R.A.K.E.S instructor, doesn’t want it to be.

"Every teenager that goes through decreases the likelihood that they are going to be involved in a crash by 64%," said Baker.

That’s because teens learn how to handle a car in intense situations and prevent collisions.

"We are teaching them how to get out of a skid in the event that they lose traction in their wheels in an inclement weather situation," said Baker. "We also talk to them about panic breaking, using the anti-lock braking system that is on the vehicle and basically letting the vehicle work to apply the break for you."

Car accidents are a leading cause of death in teens.

Within the last year--Five teens were killed in an early-morning crash on Capital Boulevard .

And in Knightdale, East Wake High School students mourned the loss of fellow student 16-year-old Gavin Boyd Westover after the driver, 17-year-old Austin Wade Marx, lost control of a car in Knightdale.

That’s why John brought his son Sunday.

"It is heartbreaking. I used to work in law enforcement so I had to deal with that from the other side as well, said John. "It’s just an awful thing."

His older daughter is also is a B.R.A.K.E.S. program graduate.

"We saw my daughter was a much more confident driver, she took to heart all the lessons she learned and was much more aware while she was driving in traffic," said John.

While it’s important for teens to be safe anytime they get behind the wheel, during summertime it’s critical that young people are even more alert on the roads.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 Deadliest Days,

The B.R.A.K.E.S. programs is free. You can find a class near you HERE