Teens wheel in their driving skills

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio - The National Highway Transportation Administration reports that the leading cause of death in people aged 15-20 is motor vehicle accidents. That's why Key Bank, Mid-Ohio School, and Kumho Tire USA joined together to teach kids an advanced course of driving skills. This is in addition to Ohio's mandatory 50 hours of instruction.

Milford High School soccer player, Taylor Nunn, showed up bright and early Thursday morning at Lakota East High School to maneuver her car around the course.

"My friends kind of made fun of me," Taylor explained with a smile.

The shy and quiet 16-year-old's father, Dave, thought it was important. Taylor has had her learners permit for about eight months and was in an accident when a car "t-boned" her.

"She didn't want to come this morning," said Dave.

Taylor was with more than 20 teens from around the region. They learned how to make an emergency lane change, keep the car from a tail spin, and how to make a controlled stop during wet conditions.

The free event had instructors to coach the drivers after and during maneuvering through courses. The idea is to get them more comfortable with their vehicle.

"Some of them have had their temps for a few days or their license for two days, they don't know what to expect," said instructor Jason Myers. "Once they get out in the real world and something happens. You're outside your comfort level, and you need to react and you need to know what to do."

Taylor revved her engine and took off out of the gate like a Thoroughbred. She giggled when asked about being aggressive. Her dad's eyes opened widely.

"It's scary," Dave said with a smile. "I was hoping she knew where the brake was."

Now the more experienced driver, Taylor, will suggest this to her taunting her friends, because it was fun.

"It's pretty important. I never knew how to do it until I took the class," she said about changing lanes in a hurry.

As for being shy, timid and quiet, Taylor is a little different from the experience.

"I came out of my shell, I guess you could say," Taylor explained.