Regional Traffic Sheriff's program targets reckless drivers

DUE DILIGENCE-Lost Hills deputies hope to put a stop to reckless teen driving. Currently in its fifth year, the Sheriff's Teenage Traffic Offender Program (STTOP) uses a creative approach to help deal with the sometimes reckless driving by adolescents.

According to statistics, traffic accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for people between the ages of 15 and 20. Even though they represent only 7 percent of the drivers on the road, people within this age range are involved in 14 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Realizing that their limited resources prevent them from dealing with dangerous driving each time it occurs, Lost Hills Sheriff's Station deputies have enlisted the help of the community to help fight back.

STTOP confronts reckless driving by allowing the community to serve as the sheriff's eyes. When residents witness an act of reckless driving they're encouraged to call in and report the infraction as well as any relevant information, such as the license plate number and make of the vehicle.

Making it their goal to educate rather than persecute, deputies will meet with the irresponsible driver and his or her parents to warn them of the consequences of hazardous driving.

"The program is incredibly successful," said Dep. Michael Wo o d w a r d . "Nearly 95 percent of the cases resolve themselves." The intervention style meetings used by STTOP have proved effective in helping teens break their dangerous driving habits, the deputy said. Once parents become aware that their teens are driving recklessly, they usually take action to make sure their children comply with California's safe driving standards.

If such a driver continues to drive irresponsibly, deputies will patrol the area with the intent to cite the driver.

While teen behavior can be molded, adults are not as teachable.

"If we get called out to an adult driver, there's little we can do since the bad habits are already firmly in place," Woodward said.

STTOP was begun five years ago by the cities of Westlake Village, Calabasas, Malibu, Hidden Hills and Agoura Hills. The program currently serves more than 25 Southern California cities.

The sheriff's department also has created a program called "Before You Hand Over the Keys," an educational outreach that offers youth and their parents advice about safe driving before a first driver's license is issued.

STTOP obtains funding from contributions by the participating cities and local businesses.

For more information about the STTOP program or to report a reckless driver, call (818) 8805420 or visit www.sttop.net.