Temecula CHP Hits The Road With Another Free Teen Driving Class

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula Valley families and their young drivers are encouraged to head out to a free driver safety course hosted by local law enforcement officials. The Temecula Area CHP office is hosting its latest round of 'Start Smart' on Nov. 25.

"The Start Smart program focuses on providing comprehensive traffic safety education classes for teenagers and their parents," CHP Officer Mike Lassig said in a 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."

Lassig pointed to an alarming statistic that a teenager is killed in a traffic collision every four hours across the nation, equaling more than 1,870 teen deaths per year. Another 184,000 are hurt in wrecks, he said.

"These deaths and injuries can be substantially reduced or prevented by eliminating high-risk driving behaviors through education," he said.

The 'Start Smart' event is set for 6 p.m. at the Temecula City Hall Conference Center, located at 41000 Main Street. It will last approximately two hours.

The course is free to attend, thanks to a state grant. However, attendees are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time, as seating is limited. If you're interested in attending, contact Officer Mike Lassig at (951) 506-2000 or MLassig@chp.ca.gov.