High School Driving Program Requirements Now State Law

Virginia crash facts from 2009 stated that one crash occurs every four-and-a-half minutes in the state. Keeping in mind the recent teenage crashes that have transpired across the county, safe driving is at the forefront of many parent's minds.

But, a Prince William County School driver education program may help to quell such crashes in the future. 

Effective July 1, Prince William County Schools' 90-minute traffic safety program for students and their parent or guardian became a state law.

The amendment was added to the Driver Education Programs of the House Bill 1782, was approved by the General Assembly of Virginia.

As a part of the in-classroom section of the overall driver education curriculum in Prince William County Schools, the class must be completed before a student can receive a Driver Education Certificate of Completion card.

This law now applies to the schools in Virginia's eighth planning district, which includes Fairfax, Loudon and Arlington counties as well as the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Falls Church and Alexandria.

According to state data from 2009, approximately 5,148 crashed occurred in Prince William County, 16 of which were fatal.

Furthermore, 21 teenagers aged 15 -19 were killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2009 accounting for 2.78 percent of the total 756 traffic fatalities.

Scheduled dates for the student and parent classes have been published on the prince William county schools website. At each scheduled weekday class, doors will close at 7 p.m. and once one will be further admitted after doors close; Saturday meetings begin at 10 a.m.

Parents and guardians are strongly recommended to attend class with their students.

Gar-Field High School:

• Sept. 22
• Oct. 27
• Jan. 19
• April 27

Woodbridge High School:

• Oct. 25
• Nov. 29
• March 7

Osbourn Park High School:

• Sept. 16
• Nov. 6
• March 7

Freedom High School:

• Nov. 22
• Feb. 7

Forest Park High School:

• Nov. 3
• March 2