On the Job 

A police sergeant who has seen his share of fatal car accidents involving young drivers believes he and fellow officers are saving lives by instructing students in the free Take Control Teen Driving Program in Medina County.
 
“I think a lot of kids don’t understand that pushing on the gas pedal can kill them or someone else,” said Sgt. Chris LaFond of the Montville Police Department.
 
The Take Control program began in May 2013 after concerned parents asked whether their teens could participate in the county’s juvenile court diversion program, a kind of three-hour driver’s education, even though they had not broken any laws.
 
Montville Police Chief Terry Grice gathered a group of sponsors to pay for Take Control. Westfield Insurance offered the use of an office and parking lot and donated $10,000. The Ehrbar Angels Foundation, the Jessica Lynn Schaffer Memorial Fund and Michelle’s Leading Star Foundation kicked in a total of $35,000 to get Take Control rolling. Juvenile Court Judge Kevin Dunn made a donation, too.

The program takes place the third Saturday of every month and is open to licensed drivers 16 to 19 who want to learn advanced driving techniques. LaFond, a driving instructor at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, is the core instructor of the program along with Sgt. Tina Jackson of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Sgt. Scott Schmoll of the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Other law enforcement officers from throughout the county are rotated in to teach, as well. Classes can accommodate up to 12 students. Three 2015 Nissan Altimas serve as the class vehicles. And a retired police cruiser is outfitted with a skid simulator to teach drivers about controlling a sliding car.

“It can be done at 10 to 15 mph, a very safe speed,” LaFond said.

LaFond knows of no other free program like theirs, but he thinks other counties could start their own. The key, he said, is communication and partnership with other agencies. 
 
For information about Take Control, visit www.takecontroldriving.org.