Teens 'Drive With A Cop' At Portland International Raceway Oct. 21

PORTLAND, OR — To close out National Teen Driver Safety Week, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office on Saturday will host its third annual Drive with a Cop event at Portland International Raceway.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 21 at 1940 N. Victory Blvd. in Portland, metro area teens will receive arguably the best possible driver's education available from the men and women who know Oregon's driving laws inside and out.

"Car crashes are a leading killer of young people nationwide," Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said in a statement. "This is our opportunity to make a difference and help save lives."

National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21, asks parents and local officials to focus on educating young drivers not only to the rules of the road but also on how to handle their vehicles in different driving conditions — be it weather related or when they're hanging out with friends.

Along with deputy-led, hands-on driving demonstrations, teens will get to experience what could happen if they're caught driving impaired when deputies conduct mock sobriety tests using specialized glasses that simulate intoxication.

Speakers at this year's event will include Carrie Higgins, whose daughter Maddi was killed in a car crash on June 8, 2014, and Dr. Amy Stoeber, a child and adolescent psychologist in Clackamas.

Along with other guest speakers whose lives have been affected by car crashes, Higgins will share her story "in hopes of empowering other teens to make good decisions while driving and as a passenger in the car," sheriff's officials said.

Stoeber will speak directly to the parents of teen drivers by leading a discussion on how best to speak with kids about the dangers and risks associated with driving privileges, as well as provide a lesson on teen brain development.

"It's amazing to try and prevent some of these car crashes from happening in the future," CCSO Sgt. Brad O'Neil said in a statement. "They are quite devastating not only to the people involved but to the families, witnesses, and officers who respond."

WATCH: The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Carrie Higgins share Maddie's Story, via the CCSO YouTube Channel.

Related:

ODOT Offers Teen Driving Tips For National Teen Driver Safety Week

Image via Clackamas County Sheriff's Office