SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - The leading cause of death for Americans 15-20 years old is motor vehicle collisions. In an effort inform and to reduce motor vehicle collisions in California, California Highway Patrol (CHP) North Sacramento area will offer a free Start Smart class. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. 

Recent collisions involving teenagers in our area demonstrate the importance of these types of classes. The classes are used to promote traffic safety to both parents and teens.  We encourage both parent/caregivers and teens to attend the class. 

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 Start Smart class will cover collision avoidance techniques, driver responsibility, collision trends, distracted driving laws, alcohol related driving laws and the provisional license process. The program also offers an opportunity for new drivers and parents/guardians to ask CHP Officers clarifying questions. The class incorporates videos and classroom discussion.

Persons interested in signing up for the class will need to register for the class by following the link to our Eventbrite page on our Facebook account at Facebook.com/chpnorthsac or Twitter account at @chpnsac. It is highly encouraged that at least one parent/guardian attend the class with their teen driver.  Funding for CHP’s Start Smart programs is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.