Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death among teenagers, which is why the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is continuing its partnership with Impact Teen Drivers (ITD). The traffic safety partners share the common goal of reducing the number of traffic collisions and teen traffic-related deaths in California.

Teenagers and motor vehicles can be a deadly combination. Young drivers are three times more likely than adults to be involved in a traffic collision due to distraction, and these crashes are 100 percent preventable. Together, the CHP and ITD are using a grant-funded education program to have a positive impact on highway safety throughout California.

“Working with ITD, our goal is to change the behaviors of these inexperienced drivers by making them aware of the dangers and consequences of reckless and distracted driving,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley.

The Teen Distracted Drivers Education and Enforcement IX grant campaign will focus on classroom education, community events, and active enforcement to change the mindset of teens and their parents, and to decrease the number of teen distracted driving traffic collisions and fatalities. This yearlong, statewide campaign began Oct. 1, 2019, and will continue through Sept. 30, 2020.

“We lose 11 teens every day to preventable car crashes in the United States. In California alone, we lose the equivalent of eight school buses each year to this deadly epidemic. It is time we stop thinking these are just sad accidents and, instead, empower ourselves and our newest drivers with the knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to make our roads safer for all Californians,” said Dr. Kelly Browning, Executive Director, ITD. “It will take all of us to stop the number one killer of teens.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.