Sheriff's Office trains young drivers

Last updated 10/31/2023 at 10:33am

Photo by Jim Cornelius

DCSO Automotive Technician Adam Lowrie discusses engine operation with Holly Davis.

Five young drivers from Sisters High School ran through a driving course set up by Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) personnel in the high school parking lot on Friday, October 27.

Under the supervision of deputies, they sped through a lane of cones, then braked, getting a feel for just how long it takes to bring a vehicle to a stop. Deputies went over fundamentals of winter driving. They also worked on backing skills.

"Backing is the number-one situation where we damage vehicles," said Lt. Chad Davis.

The same holds true for civilians - particularly young ones - so it is beneficial to develop proficiency.

The students also got a rundown on basic vehicle maintenance from the DCSO's cadre of in-house automotive technicians. And, they got a blurry look at just how dangerous it is to try to operate a vehicle while impaired, at a station where they donned both "beer goggles" and "marijuana goggles" that simulate a state of intoxication behind the wheel.

The program is the first hosted in Sisters; DCSO offered a similar event in La Pine recently.

It's designed to offer "a better understanding of the hazards of driving and better preparedness as young drivers," said Deputy Daniel Graham.

Graham supervises the DCSO Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC). He said that the student course offered basically the same fundamental driving skills training.

"A lot of this that they're doing out there is what we do for our in-service training," he said.

The turnout was light, which Lt. Davis attributed to scheduling on a day when students are out of school. He said the Sheriff's Office will offer the training again.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.