The Thousand Oaks Police Department will be hosting a driving safety program to help save your teen’s life. It is called Start Smart, and is a cooperative effort between the Thousand Oaks Police Department, California Highway Patrol, teenage drivers, and you, their parents. It will be held in the Thousand Oaks Police Station Community Room on Thursday, February 11th, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Why such a need? Because every day 8 teens across the country die in alcohol and drug related crashes. In addition, it’s alarming to know that only 55% of high school students reported that they always wear a seatbelt. The Start Smart Program is designed to help young drivers and their parents/guardians understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle.

Start Smart will show how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved. Our goal is to help make your child’s driving experience safe, raise their awareness and reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to collisions.

Interested parents are asked to call the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau at 805-494-8271 for more information and to make a reservation. Space is limited to 20 students and their parents. There is no charge to attend the program.