Sevierville Police Department Schedules FREE Crash Avoidance Training for Young Drivers

Posted 10-07-22.

In an effort to improve the driving abilities and overall safety of younger drivers, the Sevierville Police Department (SPD) has scheduled a FREE 8-hour Crash Avoidance Training (CAT) class on Saturday, October 15 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The training is for drivers aged 16-20 years old who have a valid driver’s license (participants are required to provide their own vehicle and have current insurance). The seminar is taught by SPD Officers utilizing a nationally proven program.

The class is free. Registration is limited. For more information or to register contact Lt. Rebecca Cowan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 865-868-1866.

Participants will receive both classroom and practical driving in a controlled environment utilizing their own vehicle, so that they can become familiar with the vehicle they will likely be driving on the road. We all learn many valuable lessons through mistakes, but the class provides drivers with opportunities to make mistakes on a designed driving course with a qualified instructor in their vehicle. Participants will better understand the limits of their vehicles and their own driving ability.

Unlike basic driving programs, participants will receive instruction and practical experience in the following areas:
 Evasive maneuvers
 Threshold/ Emergency braking
 Forward serpentine
 Cornering
 Backing
 Skid recovery
 Reverse serpentine
 Off-road recovery.

The training will provide young drivers with the knowledge and skills to be safer and less likely to experience serious collisions.

According to Tennessee crash statistics, Sevier County is 8th highest in teen involved crashes in the state. Nationally, over 60% of all new drivers will be involved in a crash within the first twelve months of getting their driver’s license. Over 40% of those crashes will result in the driver being hospitalized.