Motor vehicle collisions remain the number one killer of Americans 15-20 years old, killing almost as many drivers as passengers, and killing more kids than homicide or suicide. The same holds true in California.

Teen drivers are found at fault in 66% of all fatal collisions that they are involved in, although they only represent 4% of the state’s licensed drivers.

Saving teen lives through education is a mission of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), which is providing a new, revitalized “Start Smart” teen safe driving according to a CHP news release.

The “Start Smart” program is an Office of Traffic Safety funded grant and has been in place for over 11 years.

The CHP’s Start Smart program is a driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15-19 and their parents/ guardians.

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 (PIO) 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 (GDL) 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. 

Parents and teenagers can sign up for a free “Start Smart” class by contacting their local CHP office. To locate a CHP office near you, visit here.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Highway Patrol.