SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – Within the first two years of driving, a teen’s chance of being
involved in a collision is at a lifetime high.
To address the problem of motor vehicle collisions as the leading cause
of death for teens in the United States, the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
offers an educational program to help recognize and eliminate high-risk driving
behaviors.
The
two-hour Start Smart class engages
newly licensed teen drivers and their parents or guardians, while addressing
high risk driving behaviors observed every day by CHP officers. Start Smart is conducted throughout
the state at no charge.
“It is the
CHP’s focus to save young lives as they embark on their journey behind the
wheel,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said.
“Many of these traffic deaths are preventable, and we will continue to
work toward the goal of eliminating them.”
The Start Smart curriculum is based on
collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, Graduated Driver
License (GDL) laws, cultural changes in society, and the need for strong
parental involvement. Parents and
guardians also learn of their responsibility to teach their new driver and
model good driving behavior.
Parents
and teenagers can register for a Start
Smart class by contacting their local CHP office. Office locations are listed at www.chp.ca.gov.
The CHP Start Smart mobile
app, available for the Apple and Android platforms, offers more information
about Start Smart and the GDL
program, and a section of frequently asked questions for teen drivers and their
parents.
Funding
for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic
Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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