B.R.A.K.E.S., the nonprofit organization founded by drag racer Doug
Herbert that promotes safe and responsible driving, was honored at the
2009 NCMA Industry Awards on Monday, Jan. 26, by receiving the Safety
Innovation Award from the North Carolina Motorsports Association.
The Safety Innovation Award, which was sponsored by the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and SME Education Foundation, recognizes
safety products, devices or programs used in motorsports. B.R.A.K.E.S.
was chosen as the 2009 recipient for the work the foundation has done
to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving, as well as for
the program’s ability to use motorsports to transfer safety to the
streets.
“It was an honor for B.R.A.K.E.S. to win this award,” said Herbert, who
lost his two sons in a tragic car accident on Jan. 26, 2008. “It has
been exactly a year since I lost Jon and James and everything I do for
B.R.A.K.E.S. is because I want to honor my sons and their memory. We
are working hard to continue to grow the Teen Pro-Active Driving
School. I am sure that Jon and James would be proud of this award and
everything that B.R.A.K.E.S. has accomplished. I could not have done
it without the support of all the B.R.A.K.E.S. board members, my
friends and family.”