CARLSBAD — For years the California Highway Patrol has been giving students the tools they need to drive safe by conducting a Start Smart Driver Safety Education Class. This year, they took the class to students at La Costa Canyon High School.
The class is part of a program called Every 15 Minutes, offered by the California Highway Patrol.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause of death for Americans 15 to 20 years old is motor vehicle collisions.
The class was presented by the Maverick Academic Booster Club. New drivers made up the majority of those attending the two-hour class held March 29 in the media center at the school.
“Teenage drivers, especially teenage boys, are risk-takers,” said Public Information Officer Eric Newbury, who conducted the class.
Newbury said most crashes are likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car.
The students were able to learn about the serious consequences of being distracted while driving, speeding or showing off for friends.
Newbury outlined what is needed for safe driving and emphasized how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved.
According to the CHP, collisions factors associated with teen drivers include unsafe speed, failure to yield the right of way, following too close, inattention and cell phone use.
The program has been successful over the years, by helping newly and future licensed teenage drivers understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle, in an effort to help reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to collisions.
For more information visit the California Highway Patrol Web site at www.chp.ca.gov.
previous post
