Teen driving safety will get a boost in Manheim on Nov. 3 and 4.   The Manheim Lions Club's  BRAKES (Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe) program is pairing up with a test -rive fundraiser at the Manheim Auto Auction, 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim.

Hondru Ford has partnered with the Lions to host Drive One 4 UR Community.  Jason Hondru, Hondru Auto Group general sales manager, said that the free test drive program is similar to Ford's Drive One 4 UR School program, which raises funds for school booster clubs.  Hondru has sponsored that program at Manheim Central High School for the past six years. 

Community members are welcome to visit the Auto Auction from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3.  For every test drive, Ford will donate $20 to the BRAKES program.  Hondru anticipates having 20 cars, SUVs and trucks available for the test drive including some new or restyled vehicles including the Fusion, Escape and C-Max, a new hybrid.

"Budgets are tight, and community organizations are constantly looking for new ways to raise money to support their activities," Hondru said. "This is a win-win — people can test drive a new car, and in doing so, raise funds for a program to promote teen driving safety."

BRAKES was organized in 2008 by Doug Herbert, an NHRA Top Fuel drag racer, after his two teenage sons were killed in a car wreck.  Since the program originated, more than 3,000 students from 19 states and two countries were trained. In 2011 BRAKES conducted 32 schools in  North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Clayton Stitzel, one of the coordinators of the Manheim Lions' effort, said motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teen drivers. Every year 6,000 teens die in car crashes.

"BRAKES is not performance driving — it's defensive driving," he said.

The fundraiser is being held in conjunction with the program itself in the hope that parents will do the test drive and stay to watch the BRAKES program in action. 

"It's important to actually see what goes on during the BRAKES program to understand the value of the program," he said.

Members of Warwick High School's cheerleading squad have volunteered to assist with the test-drive fundraiser and the BRAKES program as part of their community outreach efforts. 

Rachelle Heyl, said her daughter Breanne, a cheerleader, was enrolled in the spring session but had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict.  This session Breanne is volunteering and will go through the program in the future. 

She said members of the cheering squad were affected by the death of Dylan Dieffenbach, a 2012 Warwick graduate, in an auto crash in July. 

"Many of the girls knew (him), so we realize the value of a program like BRAKES," she said.

Stitzel said the cost to host the weekend program is between $6,000 and $10,000 depending on the number of instructors.  Funds raised through the Drive One 4 UR Community test drive are essential for the Manheim Safe Driving Project to continue.

BRAKES is being held on both Saturday and Sunday.  Two sessions — 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. — will be offered each day.  The program is geared toward teens ages 16-19 who  have their learner's permit or driver's license and at least 30 hours of driving experience and their parents. The four-hour course starts with a half-hour lecture. The balance of the time is spent driving with a trained instructor.  Cost of the program is free.  Because only 160 spots are available for teens, a $99 refundable deposit is required to reserve a spot.

Stitzel said sessions for both days are filled, but there is a waiting list, and if a slot becomes available, the list is used to fill the slot.  Additionally the group plans to hold another BRAKES session in the spring, and those on the waiting list will have the first opportunity to sign up. 

To sign up to participate in the BRAKES classes, visit www.putonthebrakes.com and look for the "Driving Schools" and "Schedule" tabs.