Temecula CHP Wants To Save Teen Lives Across Southwest RivCo

TEMECULA, CA — Officers with the California Highway Patrol's Temecula office have seen their share of fatal and injury crashes involving teens, and they want to help prevent future wrecks.

They know the awful statistics: A teenager is killed in a traffic crash every four hours nationwide. That equates to more than 1,870 young people killed each year. Another 184,000 teens are injured in traffic collisions, according to the CHP.

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

In an effort to keep Southwest Riverside County teens safer, the CHP is offering its free "Start Smart" program that focuses on comprehensive traffic safety education classes.

The Start Smart program is for teenagers and their parents. The classes employ innovative techniques to capture the attention of families and create a lasting experience, according to the CHP. The curriculum includes information on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behaviors, graduated driver license laws, cultural changes in today’s society, and the need for stronger parental involvement in a teenager’s driving experience.

The CHP, Temecula Area will be hosting a Start Smart class from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 29737 New Hub Drive, Suite # 201, Menifee, CA 92586.

The class is free and one parent is encouraged to attend.

Contact Officer Mike Lassig at 951-506-2000 or MLassig@chp.ca.gov to RSVP. Seating is very limited due to social distancing.

Masks are required.

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