So, you have your insurance. But, does the policy really suit you. Did you ask for the agent to personalize things?

Many people do not know that almost every single insurance policy can be modified. You can add terms that will make the policy more beneficial. And, why not? You are the one who is paying. You are who will need the insurance payouts when things go wrong.

Always remember that when the company writes its standard policies, they are thinking about their own risk. The contract is in their best interests. You need to be smart and add riders, which are special terms, to the policy.

Sit down with your insurance company representative and discuss your specific needs. Then add these special conditions.

Following are some of the more popular auto insurance riders in NY.

Rental Car

What if your car breaks down or is destroyed in an accident? You will have to rent a car while things get fixed. One or two days is not all that bad. But, what about a few weeks? Those payments can prove financially draining.

Adding a rental car rider to your insurance can be a smart move. Most likely, the insurance company will want to set a predefined time period, for example, three weeks, in which they will pay for a rental car. Hopefully, you have your car back within the agreed upon timeframe.

Safe Driver

You can also add a safe driver rider. If you go without any major traffic infractions or accidents for a lengthy period, your insurance rate would be lowered.
Fortunately, you already have a de facto safe driver rider. If you complete a defensive driving NY course, you get an automatic 10 percent auto insurance rate discount for the next three years. Classes are held both online and in-person for your convenience.

One Accident

Everyone makes mistakes. You might do so while driving and cause an accident.

If you are at fault to any extent, even partly, in general, your insurance rate increases. You can prevent this from happening by adding a one-accident rider. It is a freebie for the first time “offender,” so to speak.

Roadside Assistance

This rider allows you to call for emergency assistance at any time without having to pay.

These riders are great deals because you never know just when your car will leave you stranded. When it happens, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you have the extra cash to pay for a tow truck or mechanic.

Vehicle Depreciation

This rider gets you a promise that the insurance company will not take any depreciation of car value into consideration for a certain agreed upon period.

Car Theft

Good for those who reside in high crime areas. For example, you can get a promise not to consider your high-crime location if you park your car in a secured location, such as a private garage.

Also, you can get this rider if you can prove that your neighborhood is changing. Perhaps the insurance provider will not raise your policy so long as the crime rate continues to decline in the area.

Time to Get the Policy You Deserve

No need to accept a boilerplate insurance contract. Ask for reasonable riders, those insurance terms that are of specific benefit to you.

Now, do not make the mistake of many wannabe transplants. They somehow have the idea that the town is within the Greater New York City metro area. Sorry, that is just wrong. If you are wondering what county Clifton Park, NY is in, the wait is over. The town sits in the southern portion of Saratoga County, about 12-miles north of the capital, Albany.

Population

About 40,000, residents call Clifton Park home. These households enjoy a relatively high income when compared to the rest of the national. At $83,000, the average income makes the suburb one of the more so-after locales in the state. Less than three percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Demographics

In general, Clifton Park is not as diverse as many would like. Almost everyone has well-paying jobs. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the friendly neighbors go out of their way to make all feel at home.

Traffic Conditions

Though having only 40,000, people, Clifton Park is a very busy place. Workers are up early each morning rushing to their jobs. Students are off to attend the award-winning local schools. As a result, the area witnesses its fair share road accidents. After all, this is New York. Officers issue a fair number of traffic citations.
Fortunately, anyone who wants to become a safe driver can take a NY defensive driving course. These days, the classes can even be done online. This option proves even more convenient because students can access the course material over the various platforms, including mobile devices.

Best of all, after course completion, drivers can have any outstanding traffic tickets erased and the state awards a mandatory 10 percent auto insurance discount for three years.

Economics

It may not be Silicon Valley, but Clifton Park sits in the heart of the New York Tech Valley. Some of the most educated and talented technology professionals call the area home.

To further facilitate growth, the town government has been buying up property. As of now, over 1000-acres has been purchased for development. The goal is to make Clifton Park the place where top hi-tech firms want to relocate.

Things to Do

Residents love spending time in the local parks watching kids play sports. There are football, hockey, soccer and lacrosse leagues, to name just a few. Not to be left out, baseball is very popular here. In fact, the Boys Babe Ruth World Series is often played right in town.

Getting There

Motorists can reach Clifton Park from New York City via Interstate-87. The three-hour drive is picturesque as the area is dotted by green spaces and Erie Canal hamlets.

The train from Manhattan takes about four and a half hours, the same as the bus.

So, where is Clifton Park?

As shown here, Clifton Park is located in a prime spot in upstate New York. Residents and visitors can easily get to Albany or Manhattan for day trips or to conduct business.

A quiet suburban community, Clifton Park is ideal for those who want to enjoy the simple life, while not forging modern amenities. Give the town a chance. You may never want to live anywhere else.

The state of Arizona makes use of several unique methods to nab speeders. Arizona drivers must be aware of stationary traffic cameras, officer radar guns, unmarked police cars and beyond. If you are pulled over for speeding, you will likely receive a fine as well as points on your driving record/license.

It is important to note that specific speeding fines differ by city and county. As an example, someone caught speeding in Flagstaff will not face the same fine as someone who is nabbed speeding in Tucson. Additionally, those who have not been caught speeding in the past will likely face less of a fine than those who have received multiple speeding tickets.

Start Your Online Course Now to Dismiss Your Ticket

The table below displays the top 5 counties Arizona drivers get caught speeding in. Traffic school prices differ based on individual court diversion fees. Take a look at the ultimate savings here:

For complete list of AZ Court Diversion Fees: Click Here

• For information on Speeding Ticket in Virginia, click: Virginia Speeding Ticket? Fines Info & More

• For information on AZ Emissions Testing, click:
  AZ Emissions Testing

• For information on How much is a Speeding Ticket in Alabama?, click:
  How much is a Speeding Ticket in Alabama?

These days, we can’t imagine driving even to the corner store without listening to either a channel on the AM/FM signal that comes through our car’s antenna or the bevy of satellite radio channels that are available.

But car radios weren’t always such a luxury. In fact, when car radios first hit the scene in the 1920s, they weren’t only expensive, but they were somewhat of an inconvenience. Yes, the first car radios appeared in Chevrolet cars – and they were so big that they barely even fit into the car when you accounted for the size of their speakers, antennas and batteries.

Almost every kid yearns for the day when they can be old enough to learn how to drive. Getting that driver’s license is a rite of passage that carries so much meaning. For most young drivers, learning how to drive symbolizes freedom and responsibility. It’s a giant leap away from childhood and a small step toward adulthood. Once you learn how to drive, you can go places without your parents, run errands for your parents, get a job that’s beyond walking or bicycling distance, and go on real dates. It’s an amazing time in life that happens only once.

Drivers Ed

How you learn to drive depends on where you live and what your situation is. If you go to a school where they offer Drivers Ed, you might learn how to drive with a bunch of your friends sitting in the back seat, which is simultaneously a blast and intimidating. If driving school is affordable, you might learn about defensive driving from a stranger. Your last – and sometimes preferable option – is to learn how to drive from your parents or a family friend. However, you officially learn about defensive driving, there’s probably a bunch of stuff you didn’t learn. But don’t worry. We’re here to fill in the gaps. Here’s the guide on how to drive that you’ll never hear from anyone else.

Watch Other Drivers’ Faces

When you watch driving videos, they always tell you to “look out for other cars.” But defensive driving requires more than that. You can get a whole lot of information about what a car is going to do by watching the driver’s face. Say you’re coming up on an intersection. The driver of the car at the stop sign is laughing and talking to his buddy. Every now and then his car creeps forward. He can’t wait to zip out. Does he see you coming? Keep an eye on that driver to make sure he looks at you. If he doesn’t, there’s a good chance he might pull out right in front of you. To be on the safe side, slow down or move to the next inside lane.

Don’t Double Pedal

Your right foot is for driving, and your left foot is for the clutch if you have a manual transmission. Don’t double pedal with your left foot hovering over the brake and your right foot hovering over the accelerator. This is a bad habit that can lead to a) overuse of brakes, b) an accident. Just don’t do it.

Don’t Eat in the Car

Yes, your mom’s car is full of Burger King wrappers. You grew up at the drive-thru. That’s what drive-thrus are for, right? We’ve heard it all before. But eating in the car is a bad, bad idea. First, you could choke, and trying to maneuver your car out of traffic and danger is a lot harder when you’re also trying to not choke to death. Second, if you’re eating, you’re not holding the wheel with both hands. Third, eating in the car is messy business. You’ll end up trashing your car, getting stains on your clothes and not paying attention to the task at hand, which is, ahem, driving. Eating in the car puts your life at risk. Burger King won’t tell you that, but we will.

Drive Safe!

So now that you know the real secrets to knowing how to drive, we feel confident you’re ready for adulthood. Learning how to drive is something that almost everyone hopes to accomplish one day. But do you want to know the best part of learning how to drive? It’s learning how to drive safely.

Your driving record can have a major impact on your life. It affects your auto insurance rates, can affect your ability to get a job driving, and can even impact whether a police officer gives you a ticket or not. Unfortunately, most people do not know a lot about their driving record. Here are some of the questions you may have about that important piece of paper and the answers to these questions.

Who Can See My Driving Record?

Your driving record is public record. As such, anyone who requests to see your driving record has access to it. However, most often, your insurance company, a potential employer, a current employer you do driving work for, and law enforcement request copies of and look at your driving record.

What Type of Information is on a Driving Record?

Your driving record contains information about your past driving offenses. This includes traffic infractions, accidents and criminal driving offenses, such as driving under the influence charges. Your record will also detail how many points are on your driving record. Every state uses a point system based on the severity of an infraction you received. For example, if you ran a stop sign, you may get one point on your record, whereas an accident you were at fault for is two points. If you reach a certain point level, your license may be suspended. Additionally, depending on the state you reside in, your driving record may also include the age in which you became licensed to drive, if your license has ever been suspended and for what reason, and any cars that are registered to you.

How long do DMV points stay on your driving record?

Your driving record lists how many points you have. This may lead you to wonder how long points stay on your record. Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits all answer to this question. The answer varies based on the state you reside in. In most states, accidents and tickets stay on your record for three to five years, but can stay on as long as seven years in some places. Criminal traffic infractions can stay on your record for anywhere from seven to ten years. Also, some states allow you to remove points by attending traffic school. The number of points you can remove is typically one or two points every two to three years. However, not every state allows this. Always check laws in your state to find out how their point system works and how long points stay on your record. Usually some form of traffic school or defensive driving course will take off or hide multiple points from one’s record.

Do driving records from different state look the same?

Driving records from all states look very similar but they do not look identical. As was mentioned above, the rules for points and how long infractions stay on your record varies from state to state. As such, the records themselves vary. It is also important to note that the records a law enforcement agency can view are different than the ones that are public record that insurance companies and employers view. A law enforcement agent can see your entire driving record. Many take a good look at this information when deciding whether to let you off with a warning or a ticket.

Your driving record can have an impact on your life. As such, it is always wise to take the time to learn about this topic. This can help you to better understand what a driving record is, who sees it, what is on it and how that information is used.

Can You Dispute a Parking Ticket?

If you feel that you were issued a parking ticket when you should not have been, you always have the right to dispute a parking ticket. In New York, you have 30 days to either pay the ticket or file a dispute. If you fail to dispute the ticket within this timeframe, it is automatically assumed you are pleading no contest and you are guilty of the violation.

What Information Do You Need to Dispute a Parking Ticket?

To dispute a parking ticket, you need proof as to why you are not at fault. Taking pictures of where you are parked, showing proof that the meter is not working correctly, or proving that you were shopping in another part of town and therefore were not parked at the meter for longer than the allowed time period can all help you win your case. The exact information you will need varies based on the type of ticket you are issued, so be sure to document anything that you feel is relevant to your dispute, including signs that may be obscured because of trees, faded paint on curbs or signs that are contradictory.

Are You Responsible for a Parking Ticket in a Rental Car?
Many tourists receive parking tickets in NYC because they are not familiar with the area and do not understand where they can and cannot park. If you have obtained a parking ticket in a rental car, you may wonder if you are responsible for the ticket or if it is something the rental car company will take care of. You are responsible for the ticket. If you fail to dispute or pay the ticket, the rental car company may pay the ticket on your behalf and then bill it to your credit card on file or seek payment from you through a debt collector or civil court.

How Do You Pay an NYC Parking Ticket?

In New York City, the Department of Finance is responsible for accepting payments for parking tickets. You can either pay the ticket in person at a Department of Finance building or pay the ticket online at https://secure24.ipayment.com/NYCPayments/nycbookmark_1.htm. You will need the ticket number in front of you in order to pay for the ticket. If you do not have this information, the Department of Finance can look up the ticket number over the phone, but they will need the license plate number.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay a New York City Parking Ticket?

If you fail to pay the parking ticket, interest will continue accumulating each and every month. If you have multiple tickets that are outstanding, you may be asked to take a NY defensive driving course, your registration can be suspended, your vehicle may be booted or your car may be towed and impounded until the parking tickets and interest are paid in full.
Receiving a parking ticket is something no one looks forward to. But it can happen. Getting answers to the questions you have will help you to know what to do in case you receive a parking ticket in New York City.

• Explore everything you need to know about Traffic Tickets in New York State in our comprehensive guide on fines, regulations, and handling violations.

What Changes are in Store for 2017?

Arizona’s law changes make red light and speeding cameras optional for towns, cities and counties. Each town/city is empowered to decide whether such cameras will remain in place or be removed. The residents of Tucson voted to eliminate these cameras. It is likely that many towns and cities throughout the state will soon follow suit.

Speed Limit Changes

HB 2032 permits counties and cities to increase or decrease the speed limits of streets positioned next to public park facilities. The old law stated that such alterations could only be altered on streets that are next to schools. This law is still in place yet it is further modified to apply to public park facilities as well as educational institutions. Pedestrians and motorists should both be hyper-cautious while traversing roads and walkways near public parks. Those who reside in neighborhoods near these facilities might take a while to adjust to the new speed limits. As a result, many will likely proceed well above or below the newly determined rate of speed. If you do get a ticket, you can dismiss it by taking AZ Traffic School online.

A new Law Just About Everyone can Agree On

Starting in 2017, the spouses and dependents of military members who perish in the line of duty will receive car registrations at no cost. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who disagrees with the spirit of this law.

Vehicle Illumination Laws

Functional vehicle lights will be mandatory in 2017. Each and every light on the vehicle must function without flaw. If the lights are inoperable, an Arizona police officer can pull the vehicle operator over and conduct a search. Though critics of this new law claim this power equates to harassment, the spirit of the law is to prevent accidents and consequently, preserve the health and well-being of Arizonans. It is also worth noting that the state has determined that police officers can use such stops as sufficient probable cause to perform a search of the vehicle. All Arizona motor vehicle operators should be aware that this style of search is admissible and legal in every regard. The bottom line is that the state has determined that the rights of police officers to safeguard the public trumps drivers’ privacy rights.

The Addition of Safety Corridors

The final week of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 brought about the designation of specific state highways as Safety Corridors. Expect law enforcement surveillance of wayward vehicles to be expanded in these areas. The purpose of designated specific highways as Safety Corridors is to decrease the number of vehicular accidents and consequently, the number of fatalities in areas that have egregiously high rates of incidents. These new Safety Corridors will be designated with signs so drivers can react in the appropriate manner. It is advisable to reduce the rate of speed, make use of signals and follow the letter of the law in these areas.

Traffic in the Context of Political Rallies

The state legislature determined that the penalty for preventing access to political events should be heightened from a class three misdemeanor all the way up to a class one misdemeanor. The aim of this law is to prevent vehicle operators from banding together to prevent freedom of expression. Anyone who attempts to hijack the right of way on Arizona roads or highways could face prosecution.

To put it bluntly, traffic tickets are hell. You wind up paying exorbitant fines because some municipalities are increasing the amounts to raise revenue. Moreover, the police are more vigilant than ever about catching motorists in the wrong. If all of this is not bad enough, never forget about the cameras that photograph your car speeding and send the pictures to you in the mail, along with a large bill.

So what can the average driver, such as yourself, do to survive in this age when “Big Brother” is watching their every move on the roads? Well, the answer is to enroll now for a defensive driving course. Not only will you receive pertinent information on how to remain safe behind the wheel but also a possible reduction of license points and having your ticket reduced or dismissed.

The Driving School of Today

You might at first be a bit wary of the advice to attend driving school. After all, you are probably a busy person. When do you have time to sit in a classroom?

Well, scheduling classes is no longer an issue. The driving school of today can take place either in a traditional brick and mortar building or online. You can have online class wherever and whenever convenient. In fact, many families and coworkers enroll in group classes to motivate each other to complete the courses.

Ticket Reduction

Most states allow those who completed a defensive driving course to have their traffic tickets dismissed.

The school should be recognized by the state. Moreover, the instructor must be certified by the authorities and the course most be for a certain number of hours. Check with your driving school to ascertain the specific requirements in your jurisdiction.

Upon completion of the course, motorists may receive ticket dismissal, license point reduction and automobile insurance discounts.

Defensive Driving vs. Traffic School

Be careful when enrolling. Some states define the two kinds of schools differently. In New York and Florida, you will be taking a defensive driving course to have your traffic ticket points reduced.

Arizona dismisses certain traffic violations after a motorist completes an approved defensive driving course. In contrast, traffic school is for serious violators ordered to take classes by the courts.
Meanwhile, California uses the two names interchangeably.

Going to Court

Americans have the right to defend themselves in a court of law. Some choose to do so when presented with a traffic ticket. They want to fight it out with the city to get the infraction removed from the record.

In certain cases, these challengers are successful. A California physicist was able to use scientific principles to win. He demonstrated that a police officer, situated at a certain angle, perceived his car to have run a stop sign when in fact it had stopped. In other instances, an alleged violator can win by default when the officer who presented the ticket does not show up in court.

Nevertheless, these victories are few and far between. Motorists usually wind up having to pay the fine and possibly some court costs.

Defensive driving school is the easier route without a doubt. Just enroll, finish the course and the violation disappears.

Enroll and Get on With Life

Everyone wants to save money. One way you can do so today is by enrolling in a state approved defensive driving school. You can have your ticket dismissed, removing the fine. Better yet, your driving record will be wiped clean, leading to a reduction in your insurance premium rate.

Perhaps best of all, you will learn some driving skills that can help you avoid getting tickets in the future.

Now that the war in Iraq is at an end, thousands of soldiers will be coming to the spouses; boyfriends and girlfriends; families and life they left behind. With so many soldiers returning to the United States, you can expect that at least a few thousand of these soldiers will be coming home to California.

Given that they have been gone for awhile, in some cases years, now might be a good time to consider an online traffic school.

It is not easy getting accustomed to civilian life. Things are different in the military, especially when you have been serving your country over seas. Adjusting to life back in the states can be difficult. They have enough trouble finding civilian jobs, re-connecting with family and friends and sorting out their new living arrangements without worrying about traffic citations.

That’s where an online traffic school can help you. In California, like every state, you rack up points with every traffic citation you receive. If you only get one or two, that’s one thing, but in California four points in 12-months; six points in two years or eight points in three years are enough to earn you a suspended license.

Having a suspended license can make life back in the states a lot more difficult. No car makes finding a job, or keeping a job nearly impossible, especially in California where public transportation is not all that convenient.

An online traffic school can help you keep those points from adding up. It can also help you brush up on skills you might have lost or that have at least become rusty while you were defending the country.

It is no secret that a defensive driving course can help you be a safer driver. Depending on where you live it might also help keep your insurance rates low and help you keep points from adding up on your license. With all this in mind, if you’re just getting home from active duty and need an online traffic school, gives us a call or visit our web site.

You served for us, now let us serve for you.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In keeping with its commitment of promoting driver safety and providing the state’s motorists with enhanced customer conveniences Arizona Supreme Court approved Improv Traffic School, an online humor-based defensive driving program, for Arizona drivers who are cited for moving violations.

Improv gained its fame in the driver training field in the early 80’s, when its founder Gary Alexander partnered with the famous Improv Comedy Club to create an interactive and fun traffic school and defensive driving program for Los Angeles motorists.

Based on a simple notion that when you enjoy the learning process you simply learn more, Alexander has grown Improv to one of the largest and most respected defensive driving schools in the country. Since then more than a million students have taken Improv’s classes in both classroom and online settings for ticket dismissal, insurance discounts and court ordered defensive driving. Improv’s teaching methodology has been backed by a number of studies showing that its edutainment curriculum is effective in reducing future crashes and moving violations.

I can’t guarantee none-stop laughs”, Gary Alexander admits, “I will shoot for less painful, simple and effective”.

Eligible Arizona Motorists who successfully complete Improv’s online defensive driving course are eligible to have their moving violations dismissed by issuing court.

The Improv’ s online traffic school course is available to Arizona motorists at www.myimprov.com

The online course consists of 10 simple modules featuring a combination of comedic, YouTube style video clips that are supported by easy to navigate text and graphics covering a variety of driving subjects ranging from basic traffic laws to more serious issues like DUI and seat belt use. The real beauty of this course is that it’s not only fun and effective; it can also be completed at your own pace in as little as 5-minute increments. Upon completion of all modules and passing of a simple quiz covering course material you get a certificate of completion that can be submitted to the court.

Be Safe Behind The Wheel All Year Long

Want to know who is most thankful for safe drivers? The police.

Just ask any California police officer, especially those who patrol interstate highways, and they will tell you, their worst memories are of crash scenes. People injured or killed through driver negligence; children hurt or left without a parent, or parents; innocent bystanders struck because they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Being a safe, defensive driver is no accident. An online traffic school can help. Anyone who has attended traffic school will admit they walked out smarter than when they walked in, no matter how much they believed they wouldn’t. Safe driving is a skill that is honed through practice and careful study. As we get older those skills sometimes lose their edge and we find ourselves unable to keep up with the ever-changing demands of safe highway driving. Vehicles become faster, more complicated and perhaps more difficult to operate, and as we travel farther by car than we have ever gone before we are likely to drive into areas which are unfamiliar, leaving us at a loss to understand local traffic laws, throughways or just plain lost and confused.

There are also more distractions behind the wheel than we have ever had before. People today have to be cautioned about not just talking on a cell phone behind the wheel, but also texting. We have DVD players in our cars, onboard computers, dashboard mounted computer screens and a plethora devices meant to make the driving experience more pleasant but that also can distract us from our priority–driving!

If you think your defensive driving skills are losing their edge, or just want to brush up on a skill you probably take for granted, do yourself a favor (and the local police) and consider a traffic school online. You’ll thank yourself later.

Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Safe Driving Does Make A Difference

If you have ever wondered whether defensive driving really makes any difference, wonder no more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said this week that the number of traffic fatalities last year is the lowest on record.

With 32,885 traffic related deaths last year, the NHTSA said the number is on a definite downward trend. In fact, that’s the lowest number of traffic related deaths since 1949, and a full 25 percent decline from the highest number which was recorded in 2005. All of this is on top of the fact Americans are now driving more miles than ever before.

The NHTSA factors in increased safety features on vehicles for at least some of the decline, but there is no disputing that safe drivers are having an effect. In fact, as more and more drivers look at improving their driving skills through the use of online traffic school the roads become a much safer place to be. Defensive driving schools help you not only understand the rules of the road, but understand your own limitations behind the wheel.

Drivers who have successfully complete a traffic school online are less likely to take risks behind the wheel and more likely to follow the proper traffic regulations. That makes their journey not only safer for them, but also safer for everyone they pass on the road.

Insurance companies too are waking up to the fact that defensive driving courses make a difference and many offer a reduction in premiums for customers who have successfully completed a course.

So before you turn your nose up at taking a defensive driving course, take a look at the numbers. After all, a fact is a fact.

Distracted Driving Kills

You don’t need to look far to find evidence that distracted driving leads to increased rashes. Anyone who has successfully completed an online traffic school knows just how dangerous it is to lose focus while you are behind the wheel. Anything that distracts you from the effort of driving; takes your eyes or attention off the road in front of you can be fatal.

Defensive driving courses have been saying it for years: Keep your eyes on the road. That means your eyes cannot be staring at a tiny text screen, watching you scroll through status updates on your smart phone, or even staring at the GPS device that will likely just ‘tell’ you where to turn. If they do, if your eyes leave the road for even a second, that’s all it takes for the driver in front of you to brake suddenly, a deer to cross your path or a pedestrian to step off the sidewalk in the path of your vehicle. If you don’t see them, you will hit them.

When it comes to what you learn at traffic school online the first rule is to keep your eyes on the road. That was probably the first thing whoever taught you how to drive said to you while you weaving your way down some country road or through an empty parking lot. A car is a 4,000 pound missile and you are taking aim every time you step on the accelerator and get behind the wheel. If you don’t pay attention to what you are doing you risk your life, the life of whoever is riding with you and the life of everyone who passes you on the road.

Be a safe driver, be a careful driver, be an attentive driver and be a defensive driver. Put down the smartphone when you get behind the wheel. Turn it off if you have to, but definitely don’t try to text while you drive. The life you save might be your own.

Image: scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Distracted Driving Is Dangerous Driving

National Transportation Safety Board this week released a report recommending a complete and total ban on the use of cell phones while driving.  The ban would include wired, wireless, hands-free devices and texting devices, but would not include the use of such devices by passengers in an automobile. According to the most recent estimates by the National Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 14 million drivers use hand-held phones, which they consider distracted driving. They also estimate that more than 3,000 deaths last year were directly caused by distracted driving.

This emphasis on distracted drivers is a direct result of the completion of a 10-study of driving habits conducted by the NTSB. The findings showed a direct connection between distracted driving and crashes, which prompted the recent suggested ban.

Drivers who completed an online traffic school understand the dangers of distracted driving so this should come as no surprise to them. Driving requires your full attention, both on the road ahead of you and the areas all around your vehicle. If your attention is drawn away, whether its toward a cell phone, the radio or even a GPS device, the opportunity is there for you to have a crash. It takes less than a second for someone to step off the sidewalk in front of you; the car ahead of you to brake suddenly, or you to find yourself in the midst of an emergency situation. Anything which draws your attention away from the hazards of driving, is itself a hazard.

At the moment, the use of cell phones by drivers vary from state to state. In 35 states it against the law to text message while driving. Another 30 states ban cell-phone use by novice drivers, and 10 ban all use of hand-held cell phones while driving. If the NTSB has its way this will be the case in all fifty states.

It seems likely that some nationwide rule governing the use of hand-held devices by drivers will be enacted, especially when you consider the strength of the NTSB in past actions. For anyone who has successfully completed traffic school online course this will hardly come as a shock because they already know just how dangerous it is to let anything come between them and their focus behind the wheel.

Image: Sarunyu_foto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Young Drivers – Young drivers need discounts, but there are not many available. Is your student on the honor roll? Honor roll students qualify for discounts with many companies. Other companies offer safe driver programs for teens that may include completing a defensive driving course. Check with your agent to see what discounts are available in your state and with your auto insurance company.

Adult Drivers – A homeowner discount is one of the biggest discounts offered by auto insurance companies. With some companies, this discount only requires your own your home. With other companies, it is a discount given when you have auto and homeowner insurance with the same company. Ask your insurance agent if a security system reduces your auto policy premium. The best way for an adult driver to ensure low car insurance rates is to keep a clean driving record. First accident forgiveness and safe driver discounts are available when a driver has a clean record over a long period of time.

Senior Drivers – When you reach age 55, ask your agent about special discounts available for seniors. If there is a safety class discount available, call your local Department of Motor Vehicles  for a list of approved defensive driving courses. When you successfully complete the safety class, (sometimes referred to as traffic school or a defensive driving school),  give the certificate of class completion to your auto insurance agent. Your agent will enter the certificate information into the system and you will see the decrease on your next bill.