Driving today | Chuck Hawks | TEDxCharlotte

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Chuck shares his perspective on the state of driving today, distracted drivers and the downward shift in driver safety in the U.S.

CEO, Teen Driving Solutions

Chuck has been called a renaissance man because of his wide variety of education and experience. Among that experience, he has maintained a career in the motorsport and automotive industries since 1979. Starting as crew and quickly transitioning to driver, then later educator and coach in all areas of driving. From racing to teens & new drivers, to military global high-threat operations and executive & diplomat protection; Chuck likes to say “Basically, if it’s got four contact patches I teach it, coach it, or drive it.” He loves educating others and that is readily discernable in his style.

He’s worked with automotive manufacturers on development of new designs, as well as provided coaching and training at all levels in the automotive retail sector. His place in the classroom has been widely recognized by countless organizations across the USA and that has been supported by more than a decade as a professional speaker.

Currently, Chuck serves as the CEO of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Teen Driving Solutions School (TDSS) – an organization that takes a family approach to training new drivers how to become smart, safe, responsible. TDSS’ mission is to have everyone fulfill their motto by being able to “Arrive Alive Every Time They Drive.”

The organization now approaching its fourth year of training teens en mass has had only a single student involved in any traffic incident, realizing greater than a 99.9% success rate. TDSS tracks its families up to four years for progress, challenges, and incidents.

Another area of study for Chuck has been the interaction between the multiple generations that make up our population. Doing almost 10 years worth of research, he has been delivering talks and coaching leaders on multi-generational solutions for almost as long. A perfect match for helping those generations support one another in safe driving habits through his service at TDSS.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)