Collisions remain the number one killer of American teenagers, killing almost as many drivers as passengers, and killing more kids than homicide or suicide. The same holds true in California.
Saving teen lives through education is a mission of the California Highway Patrol, 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 and offered in schools, CHP offices and community centers statewide.
The Start Smart program utilizes innovative techniques to capture the attention of teens and parents, providing a lasting learning experience.
The curriculum is built based on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver license 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,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “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.”
To find out when the next local Start Smart class will be offered, parents and teenagers can call the CHP's Clear Lake Area office in Kelseyville at 707-279-0103.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
CHP to roll out new, revised teen driver program
- Lake County News reports
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