Grand Theater hosts free program for teen drivers and families

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - The Grand Theater is hosting a free event Monday to help teen drivers stay safe on the road.

The “Safe Driving – Choices That Save Lives” event will bring together Wausau firefighters, police and trauma doctors to talk about how to prevent deadly crashes.

The free event is designed for young, new drivers and their families, covering distracted driving, defensive driving, seatbelts and the dangers of driving under the influence.

Leading cause of death for teens

The Wausau Fire Department says one of the leading causes of death for teens is car accidents.

“I hope teens will walk away from this program with the ability to recognize that the phones are a distraction and that they are willing to put their phones away during their driving and put them on do not disturb,” said Deputy Chief Justin Pluess of the Wausau Fire Department.

Personal story from Mosinee family

Ron and Janelle Thomas, from Mosinee, will share the story of their daughter Kaytlyn. Kaytlyn was killed in 2021 in a wrong-way crash with a drunk driver.

Kaytlyn’s parents are bringing awareness to drunk driving. They hope to create change by bringing more attention to wrong-way driving. They want to educate teens on the dangers of driving while distracted and the pain and consequences that follow when doing so.

“I think there’s the legal consequences that could follow, but the ultimate consequence of someone losing a life is something that can happen and can happen in a moment, in a second,” Pluess said.

The event will take place tonight at 6 p.m. at the Grand Theater.

It is open and free to the public. Registration is not required but encouraged. You can register here.

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