The SafeWay Story
Back in the day.
It’s all about saving lives.
SafeWay Driving Centers was founded in 1973 by educators Gene and Jeanne Walker to fuel their passion for developing well prepared young drivers in the Greater Houston Area. Originally named Spring Branch Driving Schools, their relentless dedication to young men and women in our communities produced responsible drivers and satisfied customers for nearly four decades.
Better known as “Coach Walker,” Eugene Fowler Walker is a nationally respected authority in the driving school industry. Renowned for his “Commentary Driving” teaching techniques which serve as the cornerstone in the namesake “SafeWay Driving System™”, Coach and his wife grew the company from one location and one car in the Spring Branch area to five locations and 31 cars serving the Memorial, Woodlands, Kingwood, Bellaire and Klein communities of the Greater Houston Area today.
From one family to another.
Friends and fellow educators for over 40 years, the Coleman family knew the Walkers through coaching and education affiliations in the Greater Houston Area. The Coleman’s three children all took driver’s education from SafeWay in the 1990‘s.
Brad Coleman was the youngest professionally licensed race car driver in U.S. history when he took driver’s ed from Coach Walker and SafeWay at 15 years-old. He went on to set a world racing record at the 24 Hours of Daytona at 16 years-old and become a professional race car driver in NASCAR. As Brad traveled the NASCAR circuit, he would speak to high school students about the dangers of distracted driving. His passion for helping people become better drivers grew until late in 2009, when he flew home to Houston from the racing circuit to visit family and friends for the holidays.
Upon a passing notion to visit SafeWay Driving Centers, the Coleman’s and Walker’s engaged in a discussion about the future. Brad’s passion for helping people become better drivers and his favorite driving school owner’s need for a retirement plan collided at a fortunate time for both parties. The Coleman’s acquired SafeWay Driving Centers from the Walkers in early 2010.
Looking down the road.
Following a very successful transition, the current SafeWay Driving Centers leadership team continues on a mission to take the highly regarded SafeWay Driving System method of disciplined driver training across the country. Providing today’s drivers with proprietary training curriclum and programs, SafeWay is positioned to be the leading brand in the driver training industry, all while remaining focused on saving lives and improving safety on today’s roadways.
