The Tooele County Health Department is hoping to save lives with a new teen defensive driving clinic scheduled to take place alongside the Tooele County Youth Summit on March 26.

Defensive Driving for Teens is a four-and-a-half hour class designed to lower the rising number of deaths of drivers ages 16-25. The class uses candid conversation between the teens who take part in the program and two specially trained officers from the Roy City Police Department to teach students defensive driving techniques.

Similar programs already exist in Salt Lake City and other areas across the nation, but this will be the first of its kind to come to Tooele.

“These officers volunteer their time trying to prevent informing families of fatalities,” said Brenda Nelson, a public health educator with the health department who is organizing the class. “This class will give teens the skills they need to drive better.”

The class is similar to traditional defensive driving classes in materials and purpose, but different in terms of its target audience. The class is designed specifically with teens in mind and meant to be more open to questions.

“It’s good to have the interaction between the teens and the officers,” Nelson said. “Teens sometimes seem to think cops are there to drive around and cause trouble.”

Though the class is intended for those required to attend by a court ruling on a traffic violation, anyone wanting to attend is encouraged to do so. Participants in the class will have 50 points removed from their driving record and will receive credit for one “no” grade — an academic mark equivalent to an “F” given for excessive unexcused absences.

Despite the added benefits, Nelson worried there might not be enough community interest to get the program going. Ten students must participate or the class will be canceled.

“If the community supports the class we can continue to have them,” Nelson said. “I know we have the need, but I don’t know if the community will support it.”

The Tooele County Youth Summit is an annual event consisting of a keynote speaker a variety of breakout sessions, intended for students 12-18 and their parents.

The class will begin at 5 p.m. at Tooele High School on March 26 and will cost $20. Those who wish to attend should register with the Tooele County Health Department by Monday, March 23.