Tulsa County Deputies Offer Free Defensive Driving Course For Inexperienced Teen Drivers

Tulsa County Deputies are getting ready to hold a class to teach inexperienced drivers how to drive safely. 

These rookies are out on the roads every day.

“We have all been young, inexperienced drivers. We’ve made some mistakes," said Casey Roebuck, TCSO.

Some have more experience driving in a video game than in the real world. 

“Mario Cart can’t teach you anything useful when you get behind the wheel," said Roebuck.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office is offering its first free course on April 29, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to teach new drivers defensive driving and vehicle maintenance.

It's for teens who have had their license for at least six months.

"As somebody with a teenager myself, when mom or dad is the one doing the teaching, they can be somewhat resistant," said Roebuck. “We were very excited to get our drivers licenses. Now I have friends with kids who are sometimes 17, 18, 19 years old and they still haven’t taken the test.”

There are so many distractions these days; cell phones, music, GPS, computer screens in cars; the things that 'drive' responsible drivers crazy. 

The class will give teens hands-on experience using their own vehicle.

“We’re going to show them how to check the oil, how to change a tire, how all the safety features on their vehicle works," said Casey Roebuck, TCSO.

Fifteen teens will drive parts of the same driving course taught to law enforcement at slower speeds.

“We want to teach them how to break. We want to teach them how to deal with hydroplaning, how to do certain turning maneuvers safely," said Roebuck. “At the end of the day they’re gonna get a certificate that could even save the parents some money on your insurance.”

TCSO will provide lunch and give participants a t-shirt. 

The class will be held in Armory Hall at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds at 3902 East 15th Street in Tulsa.

Within an hour of posting the opportunity on Facebook, it had hundreds of likes and shares. People tagged friends and commented and commended deputies for doing this.

The Sheriff's Office hopes to receive some grant funding, so it can hold the class a few times throughout the year.

To sign up for the course and receive more information, you must contact Captain Paul Tryon at ptryon@tcso.org or at 918-596-5635.

CLICK HERE to visit the TCSO Facebook page.