The leading cause of death for Americans 15 to 20 years old is motor vehicle collisions. In an effort to reduce motor vehicle collisions in California, the California Highway Patrol Woodland Area and the Woodland Police Department will offer a free Start Smart class set for Thursday, June 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Woodland Police Department located at 1000 Lincoln Ave.

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.

Collisions involving teenagers demonstrate the importance of these types of classes. The classes are used to promote traffic safety to both parents and teens. We encourage both parents and guardians, as well as teens, to attend the class.

The CHP’s Start Smart program is a driver safety education class that targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 19, along with their parents or 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 their parents or guardians to ask CHP Officers clarifying questions. The class incorporates videos and engages in classroom discussions.

Parents/ guardians interested in signing up for the class will need to register for the class by calling (530) 702-6250 (space is limited). This class is designed for parents or guardians and their teenage drivers. Funding for CHP’s Start Smart program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please get in touch with Public Information Officer Rodney Fitzhugh at (530) 702-6250.