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The Rome Police Department is hoping to teach teens how to stay safe while behind the wheel.

On Jan. 31, the department will host “Fear This,” a safe driving class for teenagers.

The class is similar to the defensive driving class police officers have to take, according to Maj. Denise Downer-McKinney.

“Parents are also required to attend and they provide their own vehicle,” Downer-McKinney said. “Parents also get behind the wheel and see what the teens are doing.”

The cost is $150 per team.

“We are looking at this as a partnership,” Downer-McKinney said, noting the department is hosting it but will not make any money from the event. “It’s joint effort (with Fear This) to try to reduce teen fatalities.

Teens must have a learner’s permit and be between 15 and 19 years old.

The day begins with a class at the Rome Municipal Courtroom in the Law Enforcement Center at 5 Government Plaza from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to be followed by driving on a course at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Class size is limited to 40 people. To register, visit www.fearthis4life.org/road_rome.htm.