Teen drivers and their parents can sign up for a free safety workshop at the Thousand Oaks Police Station on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will host a "Start Smart" driving class from 6 to 9 p.m. at the police station's Community Room, 2101 E. Olsen Road, according to a Ventura County Sheriff's Office news release.
The program targets newly licensed and soon-to-be-licensed drivers ages 15 to 19 and their parents or guardians. It covers California driving laws, the licensing process, defensive driving, distracted driving, the dangers of driving under the influence, parental responsibilities and the importance of wearing a seat belt, according to the CHP's program page.
Officers also share personal experiences with crashes involving teen drivers during the presentation.
Nationwide, 43 percent of first-year drivers and 37 percent of second-year drivers are involved in car crashes, the sheriff's office said in the release. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers 20 and older to be in a fatal crash, according to the release.
The CHP launched Start Smart in 2002. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death among American teenagers, according to the CHP. The program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The CHP also offers a Start Smart mobile app that includes a license checklist, program information and a copy of the California Driver Handbook.
The presentation may include graphic content, with warnings given beforehand, according to the release prepared by Deputy Alexander O'Neill of the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau.
Space is limited. To reserve a spot, call the Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8200.
