Sold-out 'Mopar Road Ready' Event Put Metro Detroit Teens in the Driver's Seat

Over 400 people, including teens and parents, participated in four 'Mopar Road Ready' sessions on May 2–3 at Mopar World Headquarters in Center Line, Michigan

Sponsored by the FCA Foundation and supported by Mopar, the program provides teens classroom education and dynamic, hands-on defensive driving training

'Mopar Road Ready' is a collaborative effort with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Motorsports Museum and B.R.A.K.E.S.

Including earlier stops this year in Pomona, California, and Gainesville, Florida, the program has impacted more than 700 drivers

More than 190 teens gained valuable knowledge behind the wheel during four sold-out sessions of the "Mopar Road Ready" program, when it made its third 2015 stop on May 2–3 at Mopar World Headquarters in Center Line, Michigan.

AUBURN HILLS, MI -- May 4, 2015: The program, sponsored by the FCA Foundation and supported by Mopar, is designed to teach teens safe and defensive driving techniques. Metro Detroit "Mopar Road Ready" sessions filled up a week prior to the event, with a 200-plus wait list of teens and parents vying for open slots. Including stops earlier this year at Pomona, California, and Gainesville, Florida, more than 700 drivers — both teens and parents — have been educated and trained through the "Mopar Road Ready" program.

"We are extremely pleased by the overwhelming community participation," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO – Mopar Brand Service, Parts and Customer Care, FCA. "Car accidents are the number one cause of death among teenagers, and this program provides young drivers — and parents — the chance to learn hands-on, highly valuable skills behind the wheel that can hopefully help them avoid an accident or even save their lives."

"Mopar Road Ready" trains and educates teenage drivers between the ages of 15-19 with a learner's or driver's license and at least 30 hours of driving experience. The program was developed in collaboration with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Motorsports Museum and B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe), two nationally recognized nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to promoting safe and responsible driving.

Participants are immersed in a proven curriculum taught by high-caliber instructors from the B.R.A.K.E.S. organization. A 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio allows for quality time with each teen. Participation in the training program includes a companion experience for a parent or adult guardian, who also actively takes part.

"Mopar Road Ready" sessions provide a brief classroom review of core driving topics, including proper seat positioning, hand positioning and basic vehicle dynamics. Advanced behind-the-wheel training takes teens through a variety of on-track courses to hone their skills, including accident avoidance (slalom), distraction, panic stop, wheel drop and wet skid pad.

For more information on "Mopar Road Ready," visit Mopar Road Ready