Start Smart is a cooperative effort between the California Highway Patrol, Thousand Oaks Police Department, teenage drivers, and their parents.

Nationwide, 43 percent of first-year drivers and 37 percent of second-year drivers are involved in car crashes.  The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash.  The Thousand Oaks Police Department will be hosting a program to educate newly licensed and future licensed drivers.

In an attempt to remain proactive and not reactive, 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 raise 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.