10 Reasons all Drivers Need to Take a Defensive Driving Class Every Few Years

Every day there are millions of drivers on the highways across the United States. Some of these drivers are getting behind the wheel for the first time while others have been driving for over 60 years. Perhaps you can already see where I am going with this - new drivers are inexperienced and older drivers have lost some if not all of their ability to drive safely. Then there are the drivers that fall somewhere in-between the inexperienced and the “probably” should not be driving anymore group of people.

There are several reasons why all drivers need to take a defensive driving class every few years. Every driver falls into one of three categories. The new/inexperienced driver, the driver (been driving 5 plus years) and the group of drivers who should become permanent passengers. Every year the laws change, some of these changes get huge media attention while others, drivers only find out about when pulled over by a police officer.

Sadly, according the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more than 50,000 people die as a result of a car accident in the United States every year, and hundreds of thousands more are injured. While it is unreasonable to say that all of these accidents could be prevented by, taking a defensive driving course would be ludicrous. However, the amount of accidents and deaths/injuries could be greatly reduced.

Defensive Driving Course

While the majority of people have heard of a defensive driving course, many do not know what it entails. In some states, all teens/new drivers must take a driver education course or a defensive driving course before they can take their road test. 20 years ago, probably even 10 years ago or less that was not a mandatory part of getting a drivers license so the majority of drivers on the roads today have probably never taken a defensive driving course.

A defensive driving course teaches drivers safe driving techniques. During a defensive driving class you will learn or be reminded how to overcome mistakes while driving, learn how you can improve your driving skills, learn to anticipate different situations and be able to make informed safe decisions why driving.

You can find an online driving course online; we recommend www.myimprov.com an affordable driving course with a touch of humor that makes it a fun course to take.

Defensive driving courses aim to decrease the amount of accidents and potentially improve everyone’s driving ability by refreshing their minds about the rules of the road, new laws, and how driving truly is a privilege not a right. A defensive driving course covers aspects such as safety, quick decision making, quick reactions, critical thinking skills, controlling your emotions/fears while driving, focusing on driving, and emergency care if you’re involved in an accident or are a witness to an accident.

10 reasons why every driver should take a defensive driving course every few years include the following:

• The laws are constantly changing and if you don’t keep up to date with them, you may find yourself sitting on the side of the road waiting for a ticket. For example, in the state of New York (possibly) other states as well - an air freshener (or any item) dangling is illegal and grounds for a non-moving violation ticket.

• Inexperienced drivers cause the most accidents because the rules and regulations in the DMV handbook only cover a small percentage of information needed to be a good driver. An online drive course can teach you what to do in certain situations and help keep you and others safe.

• People who have been driving for a few years or an extended period of time forget certain driving rules or feel confident enough to roll through the stop signs. They need a reminder that, that is illegal and can be dangerous.

• Anyone who has to drive in bad winter weather or who have never/rarely driven in winter weather need to learn or have their minds refreshed, just because you have been driving for 30 years doesn’t mean you don’t need a refresher course.

• As people age, it is natural to “forget” things. With all due respect, to the older drivers on the roads - you could learn as much as a new driver by taking a defensive driving course.

• Middle age drivers tend to have the highest road rage incidents. Perhaps because they are fighting with their spouse, the kids in the back seat are fighting, or maybe your job simply sucks and you’re not where you thought you would be at this point in your life. This is called poor emotional driving skills. You need to be reminded that the car you’re driving can de a deadly weapon and the poor new driver who accidentally cut you off doesn’t deserve to have you take your emotions and anger out on them.

• The hypnotic driver, this occasionally happens to everyone, you’re driving along and you arrive at your destination, you pull into a parking spot, turn off your car and think, “I don’t remember driving here!” At first you are probably really freaked out, but relax you have made the trips so many times before that it’s as if your car just knows where to go and you go. Is this a good thing? No! A driving course will teach you to focus on your driving again. Just because you have made that trip a thousand times without incident, doesn’t mean 1001 is guaranteed to be without an incident.

• Everyone who owns a cell phone should have to take a defensive driving course every couple of years just so they can be reminded of what can happen while you’re trying to drive and send or read a text message. It might be the last text message you ever send or read and how about the people in the other car(s)?

• If you drive for a living, you probably think you don’t need any driving course, chances are you’re probably right… But what are you going to do when you’ve been driving for 16 hours straight (yes, I know it is illegal and often times, the log books have dangerous little fibs written in them), and the closest truck stop is still 75 miles away? How are you going to stay awake as you cruise down that dark lonely highway? A driving course might just provide you with the answer to that question.

Regardless, of how long you have been driving, things are constantly changing and everyone can benefit from a defensive driving course. Then there are all the reasons listed below of how a defensive driving class can help you out with discounted insurance, traffic violations etc…

All drivers should take a defensive driving class or attend traffic school for several reasons. It makes you more aware of what can happen while you’re driving. In addition, some insurance companies will provide you with a lower insurance premium for taking the classes, this is known as safe driver discount. Also, some state’s county traffic court may allow you to complete traffic school to dismiss the citation and avoid having points added to your driving record.