5K Beach Run Promotes Safe Teen Driving

Runners hit the sand Saturday for the Teen Driving Safety 5K Beach Run, held to promote awareness of the dangers of drunken driving and other unsafe behavior behind the wheel.

The 247 runners that registered for the event gathered at Moonlight Beach for the 9 a.m. start and raced along the shoreline toward Leucadia under bright sunny skies and warm temperatures.

Sheriff's deputies were there to inform teens and their parents about the department's Street Smart program, a free class for new drivers to fully understand the responsibilities that come with driving.

After the race a light breakfast was served and speakers discussed the dangers of drinking and driving. Accident victims talked about how their lives were changed forever because of reckless driving, and a $239 gift card from Motion Skills driving school was given to one of the young people in attendance.