Jan.26th, Members of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Walnut Ridge Fire Department, Walnut Ridge Police Department, Imboden Volunteer Fire Department, Hoxie Police and Fire, Black Rock Fire and Police, Lawrence County Dispatch Center, Ravenden Police, AET Ambulance and others attended a defensive driving class.

The 4 Hour class was instructed by Wayne Dyer of Thompson Defensive Driving Systems. The class offered tips on safer driving and developing better driving habits. The program is made possible by grants and the Arkansas Highway Department.

Some examples given during the class were:

Yearly 42,643 people are killed in traffic accidents.

Work Zone crashes in Arkansas kill 22 and injure over 900 yearly.

Seatbelts save an estimated 14,900 lives per year.

In fatalities of those under 21 years of age 70% were not wearing their seatbelt.

Over 1/2 of all deaths in accidents are within 25 miles of home.

74% of all ejected passengers are killed.

Tuesdays class had more than 40 in attendence and Wednesday’s class had more than 50 people.