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California Highway Patrol
Officer Ed Smith demonstrates the PAZ device for Start Smart students AVNEWS Photo
California Highway Patrol Teaches teenagers, "Start Smart"
Rosamond -- The California Highway Patrol is serious about teaching teenagers about the dangers of driving, that's why Officer Ed Smith of the California Highway Patrol's Mojave Station came to Rosamond Tuesday night.
Officer Smith teaches "Start Smart", a program geared to teach teenagers, new drivers and even adults, the hazards of driving on America's highways today. For an hour and a half Officer Smith taught an attentive classroom from a prepared lesson plan, and also relied heavily from 13 years on the street.
The "Start Smart" program is absolutely free and those wishing to attend did so willingly and some brought their parents. Hand outs were given to each teenager and parent alike, as well as commemorative souvenirs for their attendance. A certificate was issued to each teenager at the end of the class signed by Officer Smith. These certificates are sometimes honored by Insurance Companies which bring the insurance costs down.
For this13 year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, Smith has worked approximately 50 fatality traffic collisions and is serious about what he teaches.
"What is the number one killer of teenagers today" asked Smith, "traffic collisions". 66% of fatality accidents involve teenagers with 26% of those deaths caused by inattention to driving, cell phone, texting, stereo's, passengers, etc., can cause a driver to become inattentive to what they're doing. That leaves 40% of all teenagers killed today, killed in another type of automobile related crash. Drinking and driving, seat belts, speed and peer pressure. Officer Smith said that speed, is the number one enemy.
From "Red Asphalt V" to demonstrating the PAZ device, to using a tool called the "Fatal Vision Goggles", Officer Smith got the attention of the class. The "Fatal Vision Goggles" are worn by students and demonstrate what .07 to .10 BAC would be like, BAC or "Blood Alcohol Content", is the measurement of alcohol in a drivers system, or how much a person has had to (alcohol) drink.
Student volunteer Matt, wore the goggles and attempted to complete several field sobriety tests, or FST's. One such test was the "9 step" where a driver is required to walk 9 steps, heel to toe, turn and walk back the same 9 steps without falling over or stumbling. Another simulated test was standing on one leg and extending the other leg out and counting to 30. Matt failed both tests so not only did he see for himself what a small amount of alcohol can do to a system, the class saw the demonstration first hand.
A very special guest was on hand during Officer Smith's class, Mrs Debby Ivy-Biggs. Debby is a part of MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Debby lost her son Pete (Peter Bear) Ivy-Biggs on September 1, 2002, to a drunk driver on the Antelope Valley freeway near Avenue O. Debby told the class from first hand experience as to the horror of being told that your child isn't ever coming home again and the devastation such an event can do to a family unit. Such as catastrophic event is forever.
Through the classroom demonstrations, video, lecture and Debby's first hand account, this was an invaluable tool that should be mandatory for new drivers. Seat belts alone save so many lives and only takes a few moments to put it on and the Highway Patrol is serious about everyone in a vehicle wearing them. A CHP officer can issue a citation to not only the person not wearing the seat belt, but to the driver of the vehicle who is responsible for ensuring that the passengers are wearing them and it can get expensive.
Remember, Start Smart, buckle up, pay attention, don't drink and drive, and stay alive.
For more information concerning a "Start Smart" program, contact the California Highway Patrol in the city near you, or give Officer Ed Smith a call at (661) 824-2408.
Start Smart
Students and the team of volunteers, Debby Ivy-Biggs on the left, Richard welsh center, and Officer Ed Smith.
