The California Highway Patrol is offering a traffic safety program for teenage

drivers and their parents. The Start Smart Program is aimed at helping future

and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that

accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. This program is

designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an effort to reduce

the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from traffic collisions. Traffic

collisions are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The primary objective

of the program is to provide teens and parents with an understanding of how poor

choices behind the wheel can affect the lives of numerous people. The Start Smart

program also provides teens and parents with information on defensive driving,

traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic

collisions, and DUI awareness.

Smart Start classes are free of charge. The CHP has an upcoming class

scheduled!

• Thursday July 17, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

The class will be held at the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz Public Library. The

Library is located at 7695 Soquel Drive in Aptos.

For more details, and to make a reservation, please call the Santa Cruz CHP Office

at (831) 662-0511.