Teens strapped on helmets and loaded into cars ready to attempt maneuvers that often looked like stunt driving. In fact, they were learning to be better drivers.

The Toyota Driving Experience, a free program for teen drivers and their parents, was held earlier this month in the Knights Stadium parking lot.

The driving courses demonstrated potentially dangerous situations and how alert drivers should react. One course simulated driving while distracted. Others helped the young drivers experience sudden braking and braking on wet roads.

The "distraction course" was eye-opening, said Indian Land parent Cynthia Britz.

Each parent and teen drove the distraction course twice. The first time through the course, Britz said, the Toyota instructor was talking and asking Britz to perform such tasks as turning the radio on and reaching for a cell phone.

"I thought that I was able to tune her out, but I couldn't find my way through the cones," Britz said. "I can't multitask as well as I thought I could."

Britz's daughter, Leah, 15, agreed. When she drove the course undistracted, Leah Britz was amazed at how much easier it was to navigate.

"It looked like a whole different place," Britz said.

Toyota Representative Karen Polan emphasized that safe driving is as important for parents as it is for teens.

The braking courses are the most popular among the teens, said Polan. On a straight course, each teen brought a car up to 30 miles per hour, and then braked suddenly. Students learn quickly how much space they need to brake, Polan explained, which can help them prevent fender benders.

Leah Britz said the sudden braking was scary at first, but she eventually relaxed. The anti-lock braking system makes a loud squeal when brakes are applied heavily, Polan said, and it jerks the car - and those inside it.

It's important for teens to understand what it sounds and feels like, she added. In addition to anti-lock braking system, the ABS acronym also reminds the teens to "Always Be Steering," Polan said.

"I see why they did it," Britz said. "It would be scary in an accident if you didn't know what it felt like."

Parents and their teens were separated during the day, so instruction could be geared towards each age group.

At the end of the day, the families came together to create a driving contract. The contracts detailed consequences or bad driving behavior, such as driving with too many people in the car or driving under the influence. They also determined rewards for good driving, such as getting home before curfew.

"We thought this would be a great way to demonstrate our commitment to safety," Polan said. "We're trying to make a difference one kid at a time."

The Toyota Driving Experience was created in 2004. The program travels around the country for five weeks in the spring and the fall. This is the first time the program was offered in the township.