Lake Roosevelt getting used drivers ed car

Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School is purchasing a used car for its traffic safety/driver education program.

The Grand Coulee Dam School District board of directors on Monday approved the purchase of a 2017 Ford Escape for about $25,000 from Jess Ford using school levy money.

The class has been leasing a Ford Fusion from Jess Ford.

Superintendent Paul Turner said the four-wheel-drive Ford Escape has low mileage and that the school should get a lot of use out of it over the coming years.

“We’re a district that champion’s drivers ed,” Turner said.

Jeff Piturachsatit, the school’s driver’s ed instructor, said that between 32 and 36 students take the course each year.

“During the winter months, I wanted something that would be safer for both the students and myself as we ventured on snow/ice covered roadways,” Piturachsatit noted about wanting a four-wheel drive. “I will also have an opportunity now to demonstrate the amount of traction a [four wheel drive] vehicle gets as opposed to a front wheel drive vehicle. When we have driven in the snow in the past, I also get to have them experience what ABS brakes do and the purpose of that invention/system.”