Teens Undergo CHP Course To Warn About Distracted Driving

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — Distracted-driving related accidents claimed the lives of nearly 3,500 teenagers last year. Now teens are undergoing a crash course to better learn the dangers of distracted driving.

Local authorities have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving with the hope of reducing the number of related accidents.

"This is National Distracted Driving month," said Commissioner Joseph Farrow of the California Highway Patrol. "And here in California, this is the California Teen Safe Driving week. And why we're here today is to remind our youth, remind our parents, and remind our communities about the responsibilities of safe driving."

Teens are exposed to loud shouting from passengers, talking or texting on a mobile device, and playing the stereo at a high volume while attempting to navigate a vehicle around an obstacle course.

Bonnye Spray, who lost her daughter last year to distracted driving, spoke during the event.

"I stand up here, and relive the worst day any parent can go through," Spray said. "So that no other parent will go through what I'm going through."