What does a hospital trauma center, a trauma surgeon and a love of driving have in common?
Dr. Nirav Patel, Chief Trauma Surgeon at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital and Audi Badger Chapter member, was frustrated and saddened at the number of serious teen car crash injuries arriving in the La Crosse trauma center. At one of the Road America driver schools, Dr. Patel approached the ABC board with the idea of holding a teen "safe driving" clinic in La Crosse. He was aware of the success of the Audi Badger Chapter teen car control clinic held annually at State Fair Park in Milwaukee.
That wonderful idea became reality last fall when we held a 2008 fall teen clinic in the Gundersen Lutheran hospital parking lot. This year, we conducted a spring clinic (and may also hold one this fall).
We had a very good turnout-24 teen drivers. The weather was chilly and windy (we are right next to the Mississippi River) but the enthusiasm of students and instructors was warm.
Parents and teens experienced classroom instruction covering car handling techniques in a variety of road conditions. Larry Boyer, Audi Badger Chapter member, instructed the teens on the physics of vehicle dynamics.
Hands-on exercises simulated road emergencies and bad road conditions. Thanks to the La Crosse Fire Department for wetting down the skid pad. Teens learned they could steer their car using the accelerator in addition to the steering wheel. Our in-the-car exercises included:
Local TV stations and journalists covered the event. Many thanks to the coordinator of the event, Kim Lombard, Trauma and Injury Prevention Coordinator at Gundersen Lutheran. We would also like to thank the many volunteers.
Check out our photo gallery.