CHP Eyes Youth Behavior With Two Programs

SAN JOSE, CA -- Traffic collisions represent the No. 1 cause of fatalities among teenagers in the United States, with distracted driving topping the list as the reason they happen.

With that, the California Highway Patrol is working with "Impact Teen Drivers," a group geared toward helping eliminate these collisions. The program is funded through a one-year grant that started Oct. 1.

The goal to youth is simple: Pay attention to the road to get to your destination safely.

"Any distraction can be dangerous for a driver, but young drivers are at the highest risk," CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. "Electronic devices, other people in the car, adjusting vehicle controls -- there are just a few ways can be distracted."

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 found that 9 percent of drivers between the ages of 15 to 19 years old were involved in fatal collisions in which they were distracted.

Also on the horizon, the Highway Patrol is encouraging young drivers to take Start Smart, a two-hour driver safety class conducted throughout the state at no charge to the participants. The curriculum is based on collision statistics, teen driver and passenger behavior.

For more information, visit www.chp.ca.gov.

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