MEET CLAY HARRELL
For 33 years, Clay worked for one of the largest transportation companies in the world. He was most passionate about his position as an Expert Driver Trainer. Clay taught new drivers how to drive tractor-trailers defensively and professionally. As one of the top trainers in the country , he also had the responsibility of teaching managers and supervisors at the corporate school.
When Clay read the stats on Teen Driving, he was determined to do all he could to prevent his children from becoming another statistic. He employed the same knowledge and skills from teaching defensive driving professionally into teaching his own children. Because of the success his kids had, other parents asked Clay to teach their teens to drive. His children are now teaching the same skills to his grandchildren.
Clay always regretted that he could not reach more parents and teens. The leading cause of death in teenagers 16-19 years old is injuries from car crashes. With the right skills, so many of these deaths could be prevented.
When Clay retired, he took up photography and videography as a hobby. He soon realized he could reach parents and teens with the skills they desperately need to stay safe on the road. Through “in car” ride alongs with a real teen driver , he created short but in-depth instructional videos. These give parents the tools they need to ensure they equip their children to handle life’s most dangerous situation: The Road. Â
Most accidents that occur are avoidable if we know what to look for and how to avoid those hazards. Clay knows that these videos will give parents and adults the confidence they need to teach young drivers how to drive, not only safely, but defensively.Â
Meet Michael Harrell
Michael Harrell is the Executive Director of Behind the Wheel Skills and the driving force behind its mission to make America's roads safer by equipping parents to confidently train their teens to drive.
As a pastor and communicator for more than two decades, Michael has spent his life helping people learn practical skills that change lives. While he isn't the driving instructor in the course, he works alongside his father, Clay Harrell, to bring decades of professional driver training into a format that every family can understand and apply.
Michael's passion for this mission is deeply personal. Like many families, he has experienced the devastating impact that traffic crashes can have. After losing his brother in a car accident and watching other loved ones suffer similar tragedies, he became convinced that better training—not simply more practice—can save lives.
Today, Michael leads the vision, curriculum development, content creation, and outreach for Behind the Wheel Skills, helping parents move beyond simply logging driving hours to intentionally teaching the awareness, judgment, and defensive driving habits that prevent crashes before they happen.
His goal is simple: help every parent become their teen's best driving coach so more young drivers make it home safely every day.
