Motor vehicle collisions in California are the number one cause of death among teens 16-19 years old, and the California Highway Patrol Newhall is working to lower that number by presenting a new Start Smart class aimed at young and newly licensed drivers, as well as their parents.

The California Highway Patrol is reaching out to newly-licensed drivers to prep them for the rigors of the multitasking needed to operate a motor vehicle. A monthly class, called “Start Smart: Driving Smart to Stay Safe” is hoping to catch young drivers early in the process before any bad driving habits are acquired.

A parent is required to attend also, as Officer John Lutz explains, “Some of the parents obtained their license 10 or 15 years ago.  A lot of laws and rules have changed, and they won’t want to ask their kids about the latest regulations.”

Most teen collisions involve some form of distraction, which could be either a cell phone or a passenger, and knowing how to prioritize actions when behind the wheel could prevent accidents.

Risk of an accident for teenagers is highest between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and a teen driver is twice as likely to be killed in a collision while carrying a passenger. The combination of passengers and night driving is proving to be a potent issue for new drivers; 40 percent of all teen driver fatal collisions occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The class, which will be from 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Oct. 17, will be held at the Newhall Library, located at 24500 Main Street in Santa Clarita will cover topics from excessive speed, DUI and distracted driving, to seat belt safety and steps to take if involved in a collision.

California Highway Patrol officers will be having frank discussions with the teen drivers, allowing drivers to ask questions about their own situations.

The scenarios provided by the officers are tailored to driving in the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as the surrounding area, said  Lutz. “Driving on County Roads in the Santa Clarita area is not the same as highway driving that may take place in Los Angeles. Drivers need to be aware of the differences.”