CHP to hold 'Start Smart' class for teen drivers May 20

The CHP Temecula Area office will host a “Start Smart” class for teen drivers from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 20 at Temecula City Hall, 41000 Main Street. The class is free and parents are encouraged to attend as well.

The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents, according to a CHP news release. Start Smart employs innovative techniques to capture the attention of teenagers and parents, providing a lasting experience. The curriculum includes information 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 in a teenager’s driving experience.

According to national statistics, a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours. That equates to more than 1,870 teenagers killed each year. Another 184,000 teenagers are injured in traffic collisions. These deaths and injuries can be substantially reduced or prevented by eliminating high-risk driving behaviors through education.

To register for the class, email Officer Mike Lassig at MLassig@chp.ca.gov. For questions, contact Lassig by email or phone, 951-466-4300.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.