By Amy Wolff
For most teenagers, getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage and something they dream about for years. But as parents know, thinking about their child behind the wheel can be terrifying.
Research shows motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among teenagers in the U.S. and most fatal collisions occur within six months of a driver obtaining a license. That is why proper driver training is essential to keeping teens safe on the road.
DrivingMBA, an industry leader in driver education, just opened a new West Valley facility. Located at Il Palazzo at Arrowhead Ranch, 5940 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite D210, the new office will provide the same state-of-the-art training programs the company’s Scottsdale location had been delivering for nearly 20 years.
Richard and Maria Wojtczak were inspired to open DrivingMBA after learning about several disturbing car crashes in their community that killed four teenagers. After spending a lifetime in the automotive industry and retiring from Ford Motor Company, plus having a pre-teen daughter, the Wojtczaks were acutely sensitive to the issue of safe driving and knew they had to do something. They began investigating driver training programs in the Valley and were shocked at the lack of adequate education and requirements to obtain an Arizona driver’s license.
“The requirements for teenagers to get their license in the state of Arizona are minimal,” says Maria. “Most final evaluations do not include driving on a freeway and the required 30 hours behind the wheel is just not enough to prepare new drivers to be competent and safe on the roads. Thanks to our experience in the automotive industry, we were inspired to design and pioneer a modern, technology-driven, science-based driver education program unlike any other program in the country.”
DrivingMBA provides a holistic driver-education program that combines three elements: in-class driving theory classes covering basic rules of the road and defensive driving education; state-of-the-art simulators, comparable to those used to train airline pilots and police; and extensive behind-the-wheel training. Students are taught techniques to overcome stressful situations as well as gain comfort and confidence behind the wheel.
“Our mission is to save lives. We believe in the power of education and providing our students training and tools based on research and science to help them become competent, responsible and safe drivers for the rest of their lives,” says Maria.
To date, more than 15,000 teens, adults and seniors have graduated from the DrivingMBA program in Scottsdale to become safer, more responsible and confident drivers.
“For us, teen driver training is not just a business, it’s a passion. Teen crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States, so we live and breathe our mission every day.”
DrivingMBA also offers programs for adult drivers, exceptional learners and fleet drivers. For more information visit, drivingmba.com or call 480-948-1648.
