Ackers Driving School has wrapped up its first-ever Summer Drivers Camp, a two-day community-focused initiative held from August 4 to 5, 2026, at the Botanical Gardens and Elmshall, that aims to equip young people and first-time drivers with foundational knowledge for safe, responsible road use.
Organized to fill critical gaps in pre-license driver education, the inaugural camp brought together new drivers for hands-on and classroom learning focused on building lifelong safe driving habits, rather than just teaching the skills needed to pass a licensing exam. Relda Andre, chief driving instructor at Ackers Driving School, explained that the program was crafted to inform, educate, and inspire new drivers to prioritize safety every time they get behind the wheel. Unlike standard pre-test lessons that focus heavily on exam requirements, the camp introduced participants to core driving fundamentals before they began regular practical training, with the end goal of nurturing courteous, confident, and hazard-aware road users.
The camp’s curriculum covered a wide range of essential topics that are often overlooked in rushed standard driver training. Attendees learned basic road safety protocols, the meaning of common traffic signs, the full scope of legal driver responsibilities, defensive driving techniques, how to complete pre-trip vehicle safety checks, and the basics of proper vehicle setup including correct seating position, mirror adjustment, and consistent seat belt use. Instructors also introduced participants to the easy-to-remember LLLC driving method: Look Ahead, Look Around, Leave Space, and Communicate Your Intention, a framework designed to reduce collision risks by boosting proactive decision-making behind the wheel. Additional modules focused on hazard recognition and evidence-based accident prevention strategies.
To cater to different learning styles, organizers blended a variety of teaching formats to keep participants engaged. The schedule included traditional classroom lectures, live practical demonstrations, collaborative group discussions, visual learning aids, interactive skill-building activities, and open question-and-answer sessions where attendees could raise concerns and get personalized answers from experienced instructors. To boost participation and reward engagement, the camp distributed a range of prizes, with generous support from three local sponsors: Do It Center, Digicel, and Ackers Driving School itself.
In a post-camp assessment, Andre called the inaugural event a resounding success. Buoyed by strong turnout and overwhelmingly positive feedback from both participants and their parents, Ackers Driving School has already announced plans to make the Summer Drivers Camp an annual community tradition. The school also intends to roll out additional road safety workshops and driver education programs throughout the year to expand access to high-quality training for new drivers across the community.
Andre noted that attendees brought high levels of enthusiasm to every session, showing a genuine eagerness to learn while enjoying the interactive camp format. The positive response from students and parents, she added, has reinforced the organization’s belief that targeted, early road safety education for young new drivers is a critical community need.
Addressing the core mission of the program, Andre stressed that driving is not a right, but a privilege that carries heavy responsibility for the safety of everyone on the road. “I encourage everyone, especially young people and first-time drivers, to receive proper training from qualified instructors before driving on public roads,” she said. “Good driving habits save lives. Never stop learning, always obey the traffic laws, remain patient and courteous, and remember that every safe decision you make behind the wheel helps protect you, your passengers and every other road user.”
She reiterated that Ackers Driving School’s core mission extends far beyond helping customers pass their driving tests and obtain licenses. Instead, the organization’s long-term goal is to cultivate a new generation of safe, confident, and socially responsible drivers who prioritize safety for their entire driving careers.