BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDOT) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) wants to remind parents there is still time to register their teen for Vision Zero Driving Skills for Success (DSFS), an interactive driving program designed to give teens hands-on driving experience.

Teen drivers with a permit or license between the ages of 14 to 18 are invited to attend on Tuesday, July 11 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks or Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Veterans Memorial Arena in West Fargo. DSFS is free to participants.

This one-day safety event offers sessions from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. The Alive at 25 defensive driving course will also be available for teens who are interested. Alive at 25 is designed to reduce the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes in young drivers. This course is limited to the first 30 participants per session and will take place 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m.

Vision Zero DSFS allows teens to participate in a variety of interactive traffic safety activities. Teens will have the opportunity to experience simulators that focus on impaired and distracted driving prevention and the importance of wearing your seat belt.

In 2021 in North Dakota, teen drivers accounted for 5.5% of all licensed drivers but were behind the wheel in nearly 21% of all crashes. Teen drivers in North Dakota were involved in 19% of fatal crashes for the same period. Because of these statistics, it is important to continually educate teen drivers and provide them with opportunities to enhance their driving skills to move toward the goal of Vision Zero: eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roadways.

Register online at VisionZero.ND.gov.

A confirmation email will be sent from the NDDOT prior to the event. Parents are highly encouraged to attend DSFS, but it is preferred to keep Alive at 25 as a classroom setting for teens.