CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - AAA accuses the state of not doing a good job with its Driver's Education program.
The company bases that on the fact NC comes in second in the country when it comes to teen deaths of the road so far this year.
"How many kids do you have in the morgue," AAA Tom Crosby said. "How many do you have behind the wheel. We are killing too many kids because they have not been taught correctly."
Crosby wants the state to make some changes to the program. He thinks they need to stress more safety behind the wheel. He claims the program teaches too much other stuff.
"When do you check your timing belt," Crosby said. "What do people look for when they look for a car."
Connie Sessoms is in charge of the Driver's Ed program in Charlotte - Mecklenburg school (CMS) district.
"I'm really discouraged to see the statement by AAA," Sessoms said. "When they try to tear down our program."
Sessoms says the program does stress safety behind the wheel and he adds Crosby shouldn't blame the program for the rise in teen deaths on the road.
"It is very difficult to bring that number down to zero," Sessoms said. "Because there are too many other factors involved. The immaturity of the driver, no matter what we teach in the classroom."
Sessoms thinks AAA is going after destroying the state's program so it can promote its own driving program.
"AAA is in the business to make money," Sessoms said. "We are in the business of saving lives."
Crosby said AAA does not have a program for first time drivers so it claims Sessoms accusations are false.
State leaders will have the final say when it announces what changes need to be done in June.
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