ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Think about these statistics for a moment:

*Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.

*Sixteen-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age and are three times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all other drivers.

*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the economic impact of auto accidents involving 15-20-year-old drivers is over $40 billion.

*Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.

With these frightening statistics in mind, the city of Orange Beach wants to give your teen an advantage on safe driving.

As a result, the city will be hosting a Teen Defensive Driving Course on July 13, from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Orange Beach Justice Center Courtroom.

“I have teen drivers and some of my coworkers do as well,” said Pam Davis, Defensive Driving School Coordinator for Orange Beach. “When the National Safety Council changed their curriculum for the defensive driving class, we had an excess supply of the old curriculum, so we decided to use it and offer this class designated specifically for new drivers.”

The one-day, three hour class will be informational only, so no driving will be involved, and will include education on safer driving habits as well as defensive driving tips.

David McLain, the D.A.R.E. officer for the Orange Beach Police Department will be the instructor.

“We are limiting this first class to 25 people, but hope that we can offer another class again soon,” Davis said.

The cost of the course is $10 per participant, and students need to pre register by calling Christy Palmer at 981-2444.