Mercedes-Benz Introduces Driving Academy For Teens At San Diego Auto Show

LOS ANGELES--Jan. 2, 2014: Mercedes-Benz USA announced yesterday at the San Diego International Auto Show that it will offer teen driver education and training in San Diego through its DMV-certified Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy beginning in 2014. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy's unique approach is designed to develop key decision-making skills, educate parents on coaching their new teen driver and create safer and more responsible drivers for life.

"Distracted driving is only one of the many challenges that today's teens face on the road," said Carolyn Duchene, director of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. "Our goal at Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is to develop safer teen drivers and provide parents with some peace of mind. At the same time, parental involvement is the key to avoiding needless tragedies behind-the-wheel."

Car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death among teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National averages show that teens are most likely to have a significant crash in their first year of driving, four-times higher than an adult or experienced driver.

"Mercedes-Benz has a long history and continuous efforts to improve vehicle safety. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is a natural extension of our ongoing commitment to accident-free driving," Duchene said. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy launched in Los Angeles in 2011 as the first international teen driving school, and now offers programs in Orange County.

Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy's approach is designed to reinforce current policies which serve to enhance new driver safety such as the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules. The GDL framework provides for compulsory driver's education, combining classroom or online learning, on-road training, mandatory supervised practice, and restricted driving privileges once a novice driver starts driving solo. Through the use of an integrated program to reinforce learning points throughout the learner driver period, combined with parental involvement, the students can realize greater benefits of GDL.

Prior to launch, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy will offer complimentary Parent-Teen Workshops and work with Mercedes-Benz Dealerships and local schools to bring teen driver safety programs to the market. These workshops will help educate parents and teens on GDL laws & restrictions, DMV requirements for obtaining a license and permit, and tips on how to choose the best driving school to meet their goals.

According to a recent report, fatal crash rates among 18 and 19 year old drivers have increased nationally following the enactment of Graduated Driver License (GDL) programs. One explanation is that teens are simply waiting until they are 18 years old when the GDL no longer applies to them. Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy's coaching approach is beneficial for drivers of all ages, including licensed drivers who want to hone their skills behind the wheel.

For more information on Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy or any of the activities mentioned above, visit MB Driving Academy or call 888-MBDA-USA.

About Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy

Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy opened in Los Angeles in November 2011 and is the first international teen driving school. Mercedes-Benz is the only automotive manufacturer to operate a state-certified driver education program in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy features a customized curriculum involving a highly interactive, participatory system of key tactical on-line and classroom components in conjunction with on-road training. The school's highly effective coaching-method and unique offerings, including a closed course distracted driving demonstration, aims to improve better decision-making behind the wheel and develop safer drivers for life.