One bad decision—speed, alcohol, not paying attention—can ruin the life of a teenager.

Smashed skulls and the bloody, broken bodies of innocent people may be the aftermath of a bad decision. Senior Dep. Kelly Roarke of the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau has seen this type of devastation firsthand.

To help prevent newly licensed young people from being involved in such accidents, Kelly is teaching a free three-hour Start Smart Program at 6 p.m. Thurs., March 26 at the Thousand Oaks Police Station, 2101 E. Olsen Road.

"I want to open eyes, help them make good decisions and understand what they are doing," Roarke said.

The free class is to educate newly licensed and future drivers. It's a cooperative effort by the Thousand Oaks Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, teenage drivers and their parents to reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to collisions.

"Not one teen driver has called me. It's always the parents," Roarke said.

The program will provide information on defensive driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions and DUI awareness. All instruction is in the classroom; no actual driving takes place.

"Tickets have gotten more costly. The first-time cellphone ticket is $170," Roarke said.

For more information and to make a reservation, call Roarke with the Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau at (805) 494-8245. Space is limited to 25 students and their parents.

—Nancy Needham