Staff reports
SACRAMENTO >> Collisions remain the number one killer of American teenagers, responsible for almost as many driver deaths as passengers, and killing more children than homicide or suicide. The same holds true in California.
Saving teen lives through education is a mission of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which is providing a new, revitalized “Start Smart” teen safe driving program.
The Start Smart program is an Office of Traffic Safety funded grant and has been in place for more than 11 years. The program is focused on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teens along with their parents/guardians.
The classes are facilitated by approximately 103 trained CHP Public Information Officers (PIO) and offered in schools, CHP offices, including the Kelseyville office, and community centers statewide.
The Start Smart program uses techniques to capture the attention of teens and parents to provide a lasting learning experience. The curriculum is built based on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver license (GDL) laws, cultural changes in today”s society and the need for stronger parental involvement.
“Education is the most important aspect of a new driver”s ability to develop positive driving habits,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Programs like ”Start Smart” are geared towards influencing and educating California”s teen drivers to make the right choices when they get behind the wheel.”
Parents and teenagers can sign up for a free-of-charge Start Smart class by contacting their local CHP office. Visit www.chp.ca.gov to find the nearest office.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
