The “Start Smart” program is an Office of Traffic Safety funded grant and has been in place for over eleven years. 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 www.chp.ca.gov.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.