Sarah David remembers the first time she was driving on the interstate with three tractor-trailers surrounding her.

Immediately, her mind flashed back to the Teen Driving Roadeo she attended in 2010 when she was 16.

“I actually learned a lot,” said David, who at age 18 now drives herself to Howard High School. “I learned about blind spots, especially on huge trucks, and not driving in blind spots.”

Knowing that her car might not be visible along the sides of the truck prepared her to be more cautious.

Teens ages 16 to 19 were three times more likely than older drivers to be in a fatal crash in 2010, according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC concluded that young drivers are more likely to underestimate or not recognize dangerous situations.

Teens also are more likely to speed and not leave enough distance between vehicles.

Two years down the road since the Kiwanis Club of Macon’s first program, David said she thought a video of multiple motorcycle crashes back to back was a little unconventional, but it drilled in her the importance of watching out for bikers.

She also has not forgotten that an unrestrained baby’s head can break through the windshield of a car in a 30 mile-per-hour rollover crash.

“It was really, really scary,” she said. “I can’t believe two years back I can still remember so much.”

Watching a simulated vehicle rollover shows how easily an unrestrained passenger can be thrown out.

Last year, just 54 percent of U.S. high school students reported that they always wore seat belts while riding with someone, according to the CDC.

Saturday, another batch of 15- and 16-year-olds will be taking a crash course on not crashing during the Kiwanis Club’s third annual “roadeo.”

The parking lot of the Hutchings Career Center on Riverside Drive will be filled with public safety officers, demonstrations and an obstacle course for young drivers.

Participants must have a driver’s license or a learner’s permit.

The teens will drive while texting and try to steer through obstacle courses while wearing goggles that simulate the effects of having too much alcohol in the blood stream.

David’s obstacle course was on a hill two years ago, which she said was a challenge even without the added distractions.

“That was really hard. It couldn’t get any harder.”

Teens must pre-register for the free event at www.maconteendrivingroadeo.com.

To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303.