Founding member Mark Russell stated that many teen driving groups exist, but they generally serve large metropolitan areas or generalized areas such as states and cities- this group, the Amador Teen Driver Council, is specifically designed to serve the needs of Amador County parents and teens. The group will begin the distribution of a newsletter that features compelling stories written by the families of teens killed in traffic accidents, student writers, Law enforcement, including the CHP in February. The arm of Justice will also be participating by writing articles for parent information regarding liability, both criminal and civil, for teens involved in accidents. Once the newsletter begins distribution in February the CHP, in conjunction with Juvenile Justice, will hold a Start Smart, Thursday February 15 at the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 801 Court Street in Jackson. The Start Smart program is specifically designed for new drivers and their parents or guardians.

Local Amador County Courts have already begun the process of the education of teen drivers by now requiring, in some cases, that teen drivers attend a Start Smart program before they are eligible to attend traffic school, in the case of a traffic violation, or are eligible to receive their license back- in the case of a more serious offense.

The first two teens received this demand as part of their court ordered reparations just this week from Judge Susan Harlan. The group will also be accessible through their website designed to help parents and teens seek information that will be useful for education and the hope is prevention of more tragedies. The website is currently accessible by going tohttp://amadorteendriver.org/pages/home.cgi. This site offers interesting information as well as links to sites like the CHP web page which has videos that can be watched by teens, parents, or preferably both says CHP Public Information Officer Craig Harmon. Harmon, a member of the council, states that the Start Smart Program and the Right Turn Program both offered by the CHP, can make a difference in the attitudes of teens and their parents. Attitudes that are already changing as evidenced by the formation of this group. The CHP and the School District, with the support of the Amador county Sheriff’s Department and all local police agencies, emergency services and fire departments, will be presenting “Every fifteen minutes” this May 22 & 23rd at Argonaut High School.

The program creates a mock accident scene and takes teens through the trauma of a fatal teen drunk driving accident. The Amador Teen Driver Council is looking for support and sponsors. There is availability in both the newsletter and the website for local business and entities to support the group. The group wants local sponsors and local buy-in form the community on the importance of the education of our teens and their families regarding the responsibilities of driving to prevent future tragedies here in Amador county.