defensive driving – Traffic School Online

Navigating Newly Adjusted Speed Limits in Texas

In the months ahead, Texas drivers may be in for a surprise to find that the Speed Limit(s) may not match the permanently posted road signs.
– Passed by the Texas House of Representatives on May 3 and Effective September 1st, 2023 is House Bill 1885; which empowers Texas Department of Transportation (DoT) engineers – without case-by-case approval from the statewide transportation commission – to temporarily change speed limit(s) for a portion of a road or highway.

The Importance of Adherence to New Road Rules

The reason for the change in policy is to promote safety under specific inclement weather or hazardous road conditions such as heavy rain, flooding, ice, and during roadway construction or maintenance. Although Texas DoT engineers do not need prior permission or notice to adjust the speed limit on a patch or road, they do have a requirement to inform the public of the speed limit change by way of “..a sign notifying motorists of the change in speed limit is posted not less than 500 feet but not more than 1,000 feet before the point at which the speed limit begins.”

A Solution to Adjusted Speed Limits

These temporary/repositionable road signs indicating the temporary speed limit will modify/supersede the posted speed limit by 10+MPH or the new indicated speed limit. So in short, be aware of the signs you pass because the permanent sign reading 70MPH may be overridden by a temporary sign reading 60MPH or even less. A costly oversight; but fortunately, a correctable one. The state of Texas allows its drivers to take a defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic violation once every 12 months.

Keep Your Record Clean

Taking an online traffic school course will prevent the demerit point associated with that violation from going onto your driving record, which will also keep your insurance from going up as a result of the ticket-as long as you provide them with a copy of the completion certificate for completing traffic school. When you complete the course for ticket dismissal, you will automatically receive a certificate to turn in to your insurance company. The school will provide you with a two-part certificate of completion – one portion is for the court, and the other is for your insurance company.

While speeding tickets aren’t anyone’s favorite thing, the safety of construction crews can’t be understated. Senator and former Texas Department of Transportation Commissioner Robert Nichols said of the bill: “Everybody was concerned and had speeding tickets in their mind, not safety in construction zones,” and “..We did a little more educating on it this time and it flew through both chambers pretty well.”

There is always an adjustment period after new road regulations are put into effect. This one seems to be fairly straightforward and hopefully, Texas drivers and roadworkers alike will enjoy an improved safety standard going forward.

Best Online Traffic School

For more common sense driving practices be sure to check out our blogs or for more information about online driver improvement courses, contact us at 800-800-3579.

In Arizona the distinction between Traffic Survival School and online traffic schools becomes vital. Whether you’re searching for the best online traffic school or the lowest-priced option, knowing which course best serves your needs is crucial. Let’s delve into the differences.

1. What is Traffic Survival School?

Traffic Survival School (TSS) in Arizona focuses on enhancing drivers’ habits and deepening their understanding of state road laws and regulations. This course is uniquely tailored to the reasons a driver was directed to attend, reflecting their driving behavior. Important to note, that TSS can only be taken in person, providing a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience.

For more information on TSS and available resources, visit the AZ MVD website or their dedicated resources page.

2. Traffic Survival School vs. Online Defensive Driving Course

Avoid mixing up Traffic Survival School with the standard Defensive Driving Course, especially when considering online options. Here’s how they differ:

Purpose: While Traffic Survival School refines driving habits and improves knowledge of road rules, the Defensive Driving Course, like ours, is designed primarily for dismissing traffic citations.

Eligibility for the Defensive Driving Course: A driver qualifies for the Defensive Driving Course if they haven’t taken it for another citation issued within the 12 months preceding their current citation. Here’s the full list of eligible violations.

Format: TSS is strictly an in-person course, while many defensive driving courses, especially the best online traffic schools, offer online formats. If you’re interested in the lowest priced and most convenient option for ticket dismissal, our Arizona Defensive Driving Course might be just what you need.

3. Why the Distinction Matters

Knowing the difference between these courses ensures you make informed decisions. While we pride ourselves on offering the best online traffic school experience with our Defensive Driving Course, it’s crucial to know when Traffic Survival School might be more appropriate.

The Road Ahead

Road safety is a shared responsibility. If you’re uncertain about which course to opt for or have further questions, the AZ MVD contact page is a great place to start. Remember, whether you’re dismissing a citation or refining your driving skills, the proper knowledge ensures safer roads for all.

Seeking the best and lowest-priced online Defensive Driving Course in Arizona? Look no further. Enroll with us today and drive with confidence!

Everywhere we go, various things and people compete for our attention. As a driver, your focus should always be on the road ahead, as well as your rearview and side mirrors. Both new and experienced drivers can easily be distracted by their surroundings. While many driving distractions are beyond our control and challenging to avoid, being aware of them and making a deliberate effort to dodge them can significantly improve road safety for everyone.

External Driving Distractions

Billboards and Advertisements

Advertisements play a vital role in driving our economy. However, they can also be a trigger for unsafe driving. Billboards on buildings, real estate ads on park benches, and flyers posted on traffic poles all demand our attention. If you enjoy observing ads, opt for a magazine or wait until you’re stopped at a light to check them out. There’s no need to risk driver safety just to read a catchy headline or glance at an intriguing image. Remember, taking your eyes off the road, even for a moment, can lead to minor accidents or more severe consequences. Make a conscious effort to ignore billboards when you’re behind the wheel.

People and Pets

It’s natural for our eyes to be drawn to interesting or visually appealing things, including people. You might be captivated by a lady wearing a funny hat, an attractive gentleman in a well-tailored suit, or a woman jogging. As any driver education program will emphasize, pedestrian safety is just as important as driver safety.

While it’s crucial to be mindful of pedestrians and your surroundings, try not to stare or become too distracted. Pedestrians with pets can be particularly attention-grabbing. Be conscious of them, but maintain your focus on driving safely.

Glare

Reduced visibility, such as glare, can be very distracting and challenging to avoid. Driving towards a sunrise or sunset can make it harder for you to see and remain safe on the road. Although this distraction is inevitable, a pair of sunglasses can alleviate the issue. Consider keeping sunglasses in your car at all times. Additionally, keeping your windshield clean can help. Take a few minutes to clean the windshield while you’re at the gas station.

Internal Driving Distractions

Various items inside your vehicle can also be highly distracting. Being aware of these distractions and planning accordingly can help you avoid them.

Cell Phone

Cell phones can be lifesavers, offering drivers a way to contact help during emergencies. However, using a cell phone while driving can significantly jeopardize the safety of the cell phone user and other drivers on the road.

Any activity involving a cell phone is distracting. Making or answering calls, sending or reading text messages, and sending emails should all be avoided. Even when using a hands-free device, the conversation itself can still be a distraction.

GPS / Navigation

While having a navigation system in your vehicle can be incredibly helpful, it can also be very distracting. Make sure to input your destination into the GPS unit before starting your trip. If necessary, ask a passenger to enter the address for you.

If your car doesn’t have a built-in navigation system, be aware that traditional maps and printed directions can be equally distracting. If you need to consult your directions, ensure you pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and then check your map or written directions. It might take a few extra minutes, but it will help you stay safe on the road. Alternatively, you can ask a passenger to act as a navigator and refer to the map for you.

Preventable Distractions

Numerous drivers engage in unsafe driving habits daily, endangering the lives of fellow drivers and pedestrians. They distract themselves from the road by engaging in non-driving-related activities, often unaware of the potential dangers on the road.

While the following items might not be the biggest driving distractions, they still pose a risk and should be avoided:

Eating

From sandwiches to bowls of cereal and plates of spaghetti, we’ve seen it all. Eating while driving can be highly distracting, especially if you spill something hot or make a mess. In such situations, your concentration will likely shift from driving to dealing with the food-related issue.

Applying Makeup

Checking your mirrors before putting your car into the drive is essential to ensure your blind spot is clear, as emphasized in driver’s education. However, using your car mirrors for makeup application is not their intended purpose. While it’s fine to apply makeup when your car is parked, avoid doing so while driving, as it’s unsafe.

Reading

Surprisingly, some people attempt to read books while driving. Regardless of whether the book is about driver’s education, it doesn’t belong behind the wheel. If you’re engrossed in a book, please finish it before getting in your car.

Changing Your Attire

It should go without saying, but changing your clothes while driving is not safe. Not only is it distracting, but if you need to quickly brake while putting on pants, you might be unable to do so due to your foot being caught in the pant leg.

Hopefully, this list of driving distractions seems absurd and ridiculous, because they are. Whether it’s one of the biggest driving distractions or a seemingly trivial one, it’s still unsafe and should be avoided for the sake of safe driving.

Whether the distraction is outside or inside the vehicle, it’s crucial to be aware of them and avoid them whenever possible. Remember, convenience should never take priority over safety.

The message is being shouted across the media and in high-quality driver education courses: texting while driving is lethal. In many states, it’s illegal. Drivers of any age are prohibited by California law from sending text messages at any time while operating a vehicle, and other states are passing similar legislation. But amazingly, thousands of people still text while driving, and these drivers are causing serious accidents.

It’s often passengers or other drivers who die in crashes caused by texting. Rob Reynolds lost his 16-year-old daughter Cady Ann when a texting teen driver ran a red light and crashed into the side of Cady’s car. Reynolds founded C.A.R. Alliance to educate teens and their parents about the dangers of distracted driving. He shares stories of accidents that make you wonder, “What were they thinking?”

Reynolds tells audiences about how his daughter died when the entire side of her car crushed the driver’s seat. He talks about the Houston driver who dropped his cell phone and swerved off the road into a canal as he was trying to pick it up. The man and two adult friends escaped the submerged car but were unable to pull his five children out of the back seat. All of the children drowned. Reynolds also mentions Hollywood plastic surgeon Frank Ryan, who drove over a cliff while using his Twitter account.

Reynolds is one of a growing number of dedicated advocates for no texting while driving. The Brown family, who lost their daughter when she chose to text on the road and totaled her truck, were featured on Oprah’s “No Phone Zone” episode. They educate families about distracted driving and encourage drivers to sign a pledge to stop texting and driving. Students say that hearing how many people have died makes them think that it’s not such a good idea to try to text on the road.

Safe driving requires good judgment, visual acuity, and motor control. It’s hard to bring those into play in a motor vehicle if your hands are off the wheel and your eyes are following the text instead of traffic. As Rob Reynolds tells his audiences, “Those messages will be in your phone ten minutes later when you get to where you’re going.”

If you’re interested in getting a permit to drive and need to learn about driver safety, you can register for a complete online driver education course at http://onlinedriversed.com.

◉ How Texas Road Rules Just Changed in a Big Way

Tag: defensive driving