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About Our Driving School/Testimonials

About Our Driving School/Testimonials

Triad Driving Academy

Our number one priority is always traffic safety. All of our classroom and driving instructors are professionals and are certified by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Our program was developed by police officers & firefighters who collectively have close to 100 years of dedicated public safety experience and over 80 years of experience teaching traffic safety, teen programs, and driver's education courses. They have instructed for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Executive Office Of Public Safety & Security; Highway Safety Division, Municipal Police Training Committee, local police and fire departments, EMS facilities and in other corporate settings.

Our climate-controlled classrooms are very conducive to learning and are handicapped accessible. Our training vehicles are 5-star crash rated. They are equipped with ABS brakes, dual front, and side curtain airbags, lap and shoulder belts in all seating positions and air conditioning. They are also equipped with dual brake controls per Registry of Motor Vehicle requirements and dual rearview mirrors. 

Choose Triad and rest assured that you will receive the best driver's education experience available on the Northshore. 

Ross Panacopoulos

Ross has 30 years of Law Enforcement experience starting in 1977 when he joined the United States Air Force and served for four years as a Law Enforcement Specialist in the UK and the USA. Ross obtained the rank of Sergeant prior to being honorably discharged in 1981. In July of 1982, Ross worked as a Police Officer for the Town of Conway, NH where he served until his acceptance into the Massachusetts State Police Academy in December of 1982. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Division of Field Services.

In 1986 Ross completed training in the field of Accident Reconstruction and was assigned to the Collision, Analysis and Reconstruction Section. In 1998 Ross achieved certification with the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR #299). He continued taking numerous training courses in the field of Accident Investigation and Occupant Protection. To date, Ross has completed over 1000 hours of specialized training in these fields and has investigated and reconstructed over 750 crashes. In 2001 he was assigned to the Traffic Programs section where he was able to spend more time doing what he liked best, instructing. Ross has developed and instructed numerous training programs throughout New England. He is a certified instructor for the Massachusetts State Police, Commonwealth of MA Municipal Police Training Committee, Commonwealth of MA Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, Commonwealth of MA Registry of Motor Vehicles, Triad Traffic Technology Inc., Triad Driving Academy, SRR Training, Safe Kids Worldwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Traffic Occupancy Protection Strategies (T.O.P.S.). He currently serves as the state-wide coordinator for Crash Investigation courses with the Municipal Police Training Committee for recruit and veteran police officers.

Ross retired after 26 years of dedicated service to the Massachusetts State Police where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. 

Jack Hayward

Jack is a retired Sergeant from Topsfield Police Department with over 43 years of law enforcement experience.  He worked 17 years in traffic safety and then another 25 years training police officers.  For many years he has been in charge of the security for the annual Topsfield Fair. 

Jack has developed and instructed numerous training programs throughout Massachusetts. He is a certified instructor for the Commonwealth of MA Municipal Police Training Committee with experience in the following fields: 

  • MPTC Firearms Instructor (Certified)
  • MPTC Advanced Firearms Instructor Level III (Certified)
  • Active Shooter Instructor (Certified)
  • Firearms Safety Instructor (Certified)
  • P.R.S.B.I
  • CPR/First Responder Instructor Level III
  • Less Lethal Instructor (Bean Bag)
  • Field Training Officer (Certified)
  • Radar/Lidar Instructor Level III (Certified)
  • Legal Update Instructor
  • Applied Patrol Procedure Instructor Level III
  • Use of Force Instructor
  • Prevention of Animal Cruelty Instructor
  • Prevention of Police Suicide Instructor
  • Traffic Occupancy Protection Strategies (T.O.P.S.)

Jack is currently one of our lead instructors at Triad Driving Academy.

 

What students are saying about Triad:

"Triad has been incredible throughout the drivers ed week I was required to do. Personally, I did the online version over zoom. They were able to keep students interested and engaged by asking questions and showing slides. Giving students the chance to copy down notes as-well as ask their own questions. Even though they kept it light hearted and interactive, it was very educational. My instructors, Jack and Gary were incredible! Always willing to answer questions and making me laugh with jokes along the way. I got a 98 on my final thanks to there amazing teaching skills! Jack and Gary used to be police officers so they shared personal experiences, as-well as bringing in a firefighter who shared even more personal experiences. Over all, thank you to the triad team and I most definitely recommend there drivers ed program!"

"Triad has been great throughout my entire process of getting my permit and license. They have taught me so much, especially Mrs. Regan, who was always very friendly and helped prepare me for my road test. I definitely recommend Triad!

"The Triad team is terrific. They made the class time for kids fun, driving instructors were so helpful and on time. The office staff were not only helpful in finding lesson times if the calendar looked full. But they were friendly and patient. Highly recommend Triad!"

"I loved learning about how to properly drive it was very fun class and the instructors were really cool people and I would recommend it for anyone look to learn how to drive"

"Gary and Jack made the classroom experience very enjoyable and made it so I could actually understand the laws and rules of the road. I definitely recommend."

What parents are saying about Triad:

"My daughter enjoyed the class with the instructors in August, and learned a ton to the point she came home after class everyday and told not only her father and I what she learned, what she did, but also her grandparents. With that said I feel this class was very informational, although so of it is keep knowledge, I feel it was a good refresher and interesting. The videos were very touching, but also gave a good sense of reality of life. Great job!"

"I honestly didn't think I was going to learn anything new, but I did, it was very informative! I could tell the instructors were passionate about what they were teaching. Thank you!"

"Very informative class.  My daughter enjoys the classes on the weekends.  She loves that you guys make it fun while learning so many new and exciting things about driving.  Thank you all!"

"You run a great program, this is our fifth kid going through it."

"Leaned some good information on the rules the students will have when driving. A lot of this is new information of hours of driving and passengers. Very informational. My daughter is signed up for December in classes and after taking this class with you I am very happy I signed up with you guys., Instructors are excellent and I feel like my daughter is in good hands"