Through the duration of a child's life their independence is supported by their parents but that support is mixed with anxiety and happiness. The first time a baby walks parents cheer but fear a major fall. When children learn to skate or ride a bike they clap and laugh but know they may crash. However, when teens start driving the stakes are higher. Protect your children, cheer them on while giving them that extra training to stay safe on the road by attending the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) "Start Smart" program. 

According to the CHP, a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours nationwide. 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. 

The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents. Revised by the CHP in 2014, 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.

"A driver license comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Start Smart prepares new drivers and their parents for the challenges that lie ahead. Ultimately, the goal is to save lives by producing safe drivers through education."

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 www.chp.ca.gov and find out how this two-hour class can save a life. Start Smart is taught by CHP officers and promoted within 146 high schools across California. It is offered by 46 traffic courts as an alternative sentencing method for juvenile traffic offenders.

Start Smart makes teens and parents aware of the responsibilities they face and teaches what precautions to take to stay safe. A Start Smart certificate of completion will be given to all attendees. The class is free.

The next available class will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 6:00 PM. The class will be held at the Temecula City Hall, located at 41000 Main Street Temecula, California 92590. For a reservation call Officer Mike Lassig at (951) 506-2000 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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