Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2008

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Monica Bryan, a senior at Dunbar, spent several days at the Kentucky State Police's "Drive To Stay Alive" academy. Monica, who eventually wants to join the FBI, also is enrolled in the Homeland Security class at Eastside Technical Center.

The teenager, her hands gripping the wheel, leaned on the accelerator as the well-worn Crown Victoria surged ahead. About 80 yards later, she hit the brakes – but only after given permission – and cut a hard left around the row of bright orange cones, clipping one with the back panel of the car.

Not a bad effort for a barely 17-year-old student who got her license only a few months ago.

Monica Bryan, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and a student at Eastside Technical Center, got some intense driving practice this week at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Actually, the state trooper-monitored exercises were in the paved infield and along the frontage road behind the racetrack.

Monica was among 27 students from across the state chosen for the sixth annual “Drive To Stay Alive” program. The Kentucky State Police sponsors the teen driving academy, which aims to reduce crashes and increase highway safety.

Travis Manley, who teaches Homeland Security at Eastside Tech, nominated Monica for the program. “They want these kids to come back and be role models with what they’ve learned for their peers,” he said.

Monica and the other participants, who spent Sunday through Wednesday at the police academy in Frankfort, will team with troopers in their own communities as they design and present “Drive To Stay Alive” programs for other kids. Among previous ideas: asking elementary students to decorate classroom doors with a seat-belt safety message and speaking to a ballgame crowd about not drinking and driving. The greater the teens’ efforts, the more funds their schools will receive from the Highway Safety branch. In addition, the top points-earner will get a college scholarship from State Farm Insurance.

As driving instructors led the teens through various roadway tests Tuesday, Monica seemed confident. In one, the students practiced quick thinking and evasive maneuvers as they negotiated three lanes of cones. In another, controlled braking was the goal as they dodged cones set up as obstacles.

In the third exercise, Monica’s speed topped 60 mph as she purposely drifted and let her right tires drop off the highway onto the uneven gravel; the instructor’s hand rested on the bottom of the steering wheel as a precaution. Monica then calmly lifted her foot off the accelerator, resisted the urge to brake and regained control of the car, easing it back onto the road.

“As long as you don’t panic, it’s fine – though a little scarier,” she said, her eyes shaded behind dark sunglasses.

More accustomed to driving a Chevy Tracker, Monica admitted that handling the Ford sedan was “quite a bit different.” But she wasn’t intimidated. Maybe it’s the steady training – whether playing cello or running cross-country and track at Dunbar – that has given her self-confidence.

“I’m open to anything right now,” she replied when asked about her interest in law enforcement.

For a few days this week, that meant open to hearing some sobering highway statistics. For instance, during 2007:

• Teenage drivers accounted for 23,113 vehicle collisions on Kentucky roadways;
• 112 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes;
• 519 teenage drivers were in alcohol-related collisions;
• 3,108 drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 were arrested for driving under the influence.

In addition to class time and a review of such basics as seat belts and air bags, the students learned how to handle high-speed curves, back up safely and change a flat tire. But the main lesson for program participants was how to maintain control and be comfortable with the car.

“Make sure you can handle your vehicle before you go out by yourself,” Monica said.

That’s sound advice from someone who eventually wants to be an FBI agent. Monica, who has wanted to be a police officer “ever since I can remember,” is considering pursuing her degree at Eastern Kentucky University because of its strong criminal justice program.

She hopes to pair up with a University of Kentucky police officer in next semester’s job-shadowing program at Eastside Tech. “That would be a good way to start seeing what it’s really like on the job,” she said.

In the meantime, she’ll share safety tips from the Kentucky State Police, such as beware of distractions inside the car (loud music, cell phones and chatty friends) and be aware of the driving environment outside.

“Anybody can make a mistake driving,” said Sgt. Todd Evans, who coordinates the driver trainers. “But if you have a plan, your chances of not being injured or dying on the highway are greatly reduced.”