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Sheriff Richard Nugent made a decision the morning of July 19 to push a new program aimed at teaching high school students how to drive better.
Plans were in motion and discussions were under way to start the program maybe a year from now. Then Nugent's phone rang, and someone on the other end told him about the death of Hernando High School student Carlee Horan on Mondon Hill Road. He had received a similar call in April after Hernando High senior Joey Hall died on the same road.
"We knew then we had to jump-start this thing and get it going as soon as possible," Nugent said. "We have to give kids training so we can avoid more deaths on the road."
In the wake of three high school students in the county dying in traffic accidents since April, Nugent said his department plans to begin a new program as early as September or October that will train young motorists to drive defensively.
The department will notify schools and parents once the program, which will be optional for students, is ready to begin, he said.
The program, dubbed "Collision Avoidance Training," is sponsored by the nonprofit Partners for Highway Safety. It is already in place in Volusia and Leon counties, with some Panhandle counties and also Tampa looking at it as well.
Nugent said deputies will start training this month for the courses. In total, the program will cost $81,000 and will be financed by money obtained through drug seizures.
He was not sure how much the classes would cost students but expected there would be a "nominal charge" to keep it running.
Before leaving the program, students are expected to be able to master evasive maneuvers, emergency braking and skid recovery. Each of the skills is supposed to help teenagers who lack experience with cars going out of control.
"Kids are going out there not knowing how to get out of trouble on the roads," Nugent said. "We need to give them the tools."
Florida law requires that teenagers obtain a permit and drive with an adult for at least a year before they can get a license. However, drivers are not required to complete courses behind the wheel, as is mandated in some other states.
-- Joe Black can be reached at 352 754-6117 or jblack@sptimes.com