SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – Teenage drivers are at greater risk of being involved in a fatal car
crash due to distractions and inexperience behind the wheel. To help teens stay safe behind the wheel, the
California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering the Start Smart teen driver
safety education class to help address the dangers typically encountered by
this age group.
Between federal fiscal years 2020 and 2022,
there was a combined total of 21,308 fatal and injury crashes within CHP
jurisdiction involving at least one teen driver between the ages of
15 and 19. Unfortunately,
fatal and injury crashes increased by nearly 10% over that time, which
indicates it is essential to improve the education of teenage drivers and their
parents/guardians to help enhance road safety.
Start
Smart
is a free two-hour class aimed at informing new drivers of the responsibilities
that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. Parents or guardians are required to attend
with their teenage driver as they participate in this class, which is conducted
by public information officers at local CHP Area offices. Completion of this course may lower the cost
of a young driver’s vehicle insurance.
“Every
decision a teen driver makes behind the wheel has the potential to impact their
future and the lives of those around them,” said CHP Commissioner Sean
Duryee. “The Start Smart program
has been instrumental in educating new drivers and their parents/guardians in
an effort to save lives.”
Parents
and teenagers can register for a Start
Smart class by contacting their local
CHP Area office. More information about program and
California’s provisional licensing law can be found on the free CHP Start Smart
app, which is available for both iOS and Android. This mobile app includes access to the
California Driver Handbook and a trip logger to track driving time as teens
prepare to obtain their driver’s 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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