For Immediate Release
August 1, 2002
Contact: Dan Gwadosky
207-626-8400

Teen Driver Challenge Scheduled for Saturday
Friendly Competition Seeks to Instill Good Driving Skills and Behavior

This Saturday, August 3, 2002, Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston, will be the site for the first Teen Driver Challenge sponsored by the Department of the Secretary of State, the Maine Driver Education Association (MEDEA), Maine Transportation Safety Coalition (MTSC) and AAA of Northern New England. During the daylong event, students from twelve driver education schools will compete in four different events that will test their driving skills and knowledge on the 'rules of the road'.

"This is an excellent way to provide younger drivers with positive reinforcement for good driving behavior," said Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky. "Driving is a lifelong learning experience and good driving skills and behavior instilled now will last a lifetime."

The day's activities will begin with a twenty-five question test and then move on to two skills tests--a pre-driving vehicle inspection/off street skills test and a driving skills road test. An oral interview on driving concepts will complete the competition.

Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky will present awards at the end of the competition at approximately 4:30 p.m. The teen driver who places first will receive a $1,000 prize and plaque and the driver education school the student represented will receive a $500 prize and have the honor of displaying a first place trophy until next year's event. Second place teen driver and school will receive $600 and $300, respectively with third place prizes set at $400 and $200.

Driver Challenge Supporters included Forest-Mathieu's School of Driving and State Farm Insurance. The following driver education schools have entered a teen driver in the competition:

Teen Driver Challenge
Lewiston-Auburn College
August 3, 2002
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Event Schedule