SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – Compared to any other age group, the combination of inexperience and
distracted driving habits put teenage drivers at the greatest risk of danger. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been
awarded a grant to help young drivers learn how to eliminate high-risk actions
and decrease their chances of being in a crash.
Designed
for newly licensed teen drivers and their parents or guardians, the Start
Smart program is currently being
conducted online for 2020-2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The two-hour course has been developed
specifically to reduce vehicle crashes that cause serious injuries and
fatalities. The free program incorporates innovative techniques to capture
the attention of teens and parents, while addressing common driving dangers.
“The Start Smart program is an effective tool
for teens and their parents to combat young drivers’ risky driving behaviors,”
CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said.
“The Department is committed to making a difference in the future of California’s
youth through continued traffic safety educational efforts.”
The Start Smart curriculum is based on
collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, Graduated Driver
License (GDL) laws, cultural changes, and the need for stronger parental
involvement. Parents and guardians are
reminded of their responsibility to teach their new driver and model good
driving behaviors.
Parents
and teenagers can register for a Start
Smart class by contacting their local CHP office.
More information about Start Smart and the GDL program can be found
on the free CHP Start Smart mobile app,
which is available on Android and iOS devices.
The app also includes access to the California Driver Handbook and a
trip logger to keep track of the user’s driving time to help them prepare to obtain
their license.
Funding for
this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic
Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security.
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