Take an Online Driver Safety Course
Written by Michael Purser
There is an easy way to become a better driver, feel safer on the road and maybe even save some money on your monthly insurance premium.
Complete an online driving safety course to learn valuable skills while qualifying for a variety of helpful benefits through your state or insurance provider.
What Is Traffic Safety?
Traffic safety is a broad term with many synonyms. You may also see names like traffic school, driver safety, safe driving training or defensive driving. All these titles refer to the same sort of driver improvement training — helping motorists stay safe on the road with lessons in:
- Responsiveness
- Alertness
- Communication and Signaling
- Managing Speed
- Implementing Safety Measures
- Vehicle Maintenance
- And More
The exact curriculum and lesson length vary by state, but most of SafeMotorist's defensive driving classes are approximately six hours long.
Benefits of Defensive Driving
Traffic school is a flexible, life-saving program that can provide valuable benefits depending on where you live. Some of the most common perks include:
Skill Improvement
All driver improvement programs give you the tools to protect yourself behind the wheel. Operating a motor vehicle is the most dangerous thing many people do every day.
A traffic safety class will help you spot dangerous behaviors, evaluate your situation and maneuver to avoid hazards. They are packed with helpful tips, reminders of common traffic laws and other information you may have forgotten since you first took drivers ed.
Insurance Discounts
Many states and insurers participate in discount incentive programs. In New York, for instance, the Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) provides a mandatory 10% insurance premium discount if you take a driving safety course online.
Even if your state doesn't have a similar program, your insurer might. Many nationwide brands will cut your premiums by up to 10% if you complete a qualifying training. Check with your state DMV (or equivalent) and your insurance provider to see if you can save money by becoming a safer motorist.
Reduce or Dismiss Traffic Violations
Some states allow you to improve your driving record with the help of an online traffic safety course. Details are specific to your state, but programs fall into one of three general groups.
The first group is the most straightforward. Some states, like Texas, will remove eligible moving violations from your record. If you recently got a speeding ticket, you can finish a driver improvement class to have it removed.
If your state uses a points system to track tickets and moving violations, taking a driver improvement course usually won't dismiss or remove a citation from your license. Instead, these states often reduce the total value of the points on your record.
Sometimes, your state won't add points to your license at all. Arizona, for instance, will let you avoid a points penalty for an eligible offense if you complete an approved program at least seven days before your court date.
No matter how your home state does it, improving your record might save your license from suspension or revocation after repeated offenses. It might also keep your insurance rates from going up.
Online Safety Training
An online defensive driving program offers the benefits of in-person instruction without any of the hassles. Skip the scheduling headaches, attendance requirements and inconvenient commutes by taking a defensive driving course online instead.
When you learn with SafeMotorist, you can start and stop each lesson whenever you like. Train at your pace with the help of a 24/7 learning platform designed for users of all ages and experience levels. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access lessons from any device — our online system is mobile-friendly.
The Right Choice for You
We make it easy to find an online defensive driving course for your state. Start your journey by selecting your state from the dropdown menu. Many of our state-specific pages detail the perks, processes and regulations for your local area.
To find out if your state participates in a driver training program, reach out to your state licensing bureau or contact us for more information.
Finally, make sure to check with your insurer to take advantage of any discounts you might earn on top of state-sponsored benefits. They may have extra instructions for submitting your certificate of completion to qualify for a rate reduction.