Defensive driving course starts at Sheppard Published June 29, 2007 By Julie Caldwell 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Sidewinder School of Defensive Driving has come to Sheppard. Its first course, held June 23 in the community center, was the first defensive driving course to be offered on base. Sandra Sutton, director of the community center, said these courses are open to everyone in the Sheppard community, including active duty, reserve, retirees, civilian employees, and spouses or teen-aged dependents. "We're getting calls on it every day throughout the day," she said a few days before the first course was held. Ms. Sutton said the course costs $30 per person and is significantly lower than taking the course online or through some other avenue. Terry Kelley, an instructor in the 363rd Training Squadron, is teaching the course. Accredited by the Transportation Safety Institute, he has been teaching defensive driving courses at Vernon College for two years. Mr. Kelley said that most of his students have received speeding tickets or some other traffic violation and are taking the course to dismiss it. However, some are also willing to spend their time and money voluntarily because completing the course can mean a 10 percent discount on automobile insurance. "Over 10 year's time, that's definitely going to pay you back your 30 bucks," Mr. Kelley laughed. He said that almost half of the 16 students that attended Saturday's class were there for the discount. The Texas Education Agency is the authority over all defensive driving courses. According to their Web site, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/drive/dsinfo.html, these courses are also available to active-duty military members who do not have a Texas driver's license. If an active duty member receives a Texas traffic violation, they may take a TEA approved defensive driving course to dismiss it, as long as they have not done so to dismiss a ticket in this or another state in the past 12 months. Mr. Kelley said the course covers many issues including Texas laws, cell phone usage and distractions inside and outside the car while driving. Students are even asked to put themselves in the shoes of the officer who pulled them over by discussing his or her point of view. "The course is actually designed for the students to think about their attitude when they're driving," Mr. Kelley said. The school operates under a paradigm of student interaction. Giving the students the opportunity to learn from one another, Mr. Kelley said he is more of a facilitator than an instructor. This is an aspect of the classroom that he said is a great advantage over taking the course by video or online. He said the class went extremely well, and that this was the most enjoyable class he has ever taught. He said he is hoping to teach the course on base on a regular basis, since it's so convenient for Sheppard personnel. To help people know how to plan ahead, Mr. Kelley said he is trying to establish it the third Saturday of each month. He said he is looking forward to the next course, already scheduled for July 21. He also said he is very flexible and open to ideas of dates and times to have the course. He asks anyone with suggestions to please let him know. To do this, or to enroll in a course, contact the community center at 676-3861.