Coming up on Sunday, September 14, teens from all over Berrien County will be at Lake Michigan College in Benton Township to learn defensive driving skills from Michigan State Police.

MSP Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson tells us the agency is bringing in a driving track, similar to the one that troopers train with in Lansing, but smaller.

“There will be cones set up in different patterns to mimic a situation out on the roadway, maybe set up some intersections, some left turn lanes, kind of the road patterns that drivers see every day,” Robinson said.

Robinson says the defensive driving class has been offered in several locations around the state so far. Police want to teach teens, who are less experienced on the road, how to react to hazards before they run into them in real world situations.

“It’s really designed to show teenagers and young drivers that there are ways for them to maneuver the vehicles and handle the vehicles in a manner that would prevent them from being in a crash, to recognize situations where a crash may be imminent.”

State police will hold two driving classes throughout the day. They’re already fully booked, but Robinson advises interested teens to keep an eye on the registration page because they do get cancellations. Plus, the MSP will bring the program back to Berrien County next year.