6th Annual National Teen Driver Safety Week

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – This week marks the 6th Annual National Teen Driver Safety Week campaign, which started Sunday, October 14th and goes through the 20th. California Highway Patrol officials out of Sacramento say that traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U-S and in California.The most recent data collected is from 2010, and reveals that more than 57,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 were involved in vehicle crashes; a teen driver was at fault 67% of the time.CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow claims “Parents can help by communicating the rules of the road to their teen driver and serving as a good role model behind the wheel.”National Teen Driver Safety Week was established by Congress in 2007.Locally, the CHP in Buellton will host a Start Smart Class for 15 to 20 year-old-drivers, Wednesday night from 6 to 8 pm at 166 Industrial Way in Buellton. You or your teen can attend the free, two hour class by calling 1-805-688-551 to reserve a spot.