Driver’s Safety Course: A Path to Avoiding Accidents and Saving Money
What to Expect From a Driver’s Safety Course
A driver’s safety course can help you dismiss traffic tickets and lower your car insurance rates. However, you should know that not all courses are created equal.
Ticket School’s New York Defensive Driving Course is fully mobile compatible and can be worked on at your own pace. Log in and out as needed, or power through big chunks at once!
Traffic Crash Statistics
According to CDC research, in the United States, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 5-29. In most high-income countries, these injuries are preventable. Those who live in low-income communities are at greater risk of being involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Young males are especially likely to be involved in such incidents.
Car accidents are a serious problem in New York City and throughout the state. While it is impossible to reduce the number of collisions to zero, a driver’s safety course can help you avoid a crash and keep your family safe on the roads.
Each year, the City of New York reports information on motor vehicle accidents within the five boroughs. This data is important to understanding where and why car accidents happen in NYC. Learn about the different causes of collisions, and find out how you can avoid them. Also, read about the factors that affect crash fatalities and serious injuries.
Vehicle Safety Equipment
Car manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have been developing, testing, and implementing automotive safety equipment year after year to minimize the occurrence and consequences of vehicle collisions. These include passive-restraint devices, like air bags that deploy with little or no driver action and inflate to cushion the impact, absorbing energy before collapsing; safety glass that deflects under severe stress; and improved door locks that keep doors closed under pressure.
The 6-hour course for New York drivers also teaches students to use this equipment properly and to follow all applicable laws on the road. The courses teach students evidence-based strategies for safe driving and helps drivers avoid accidents, especially ones caused by unsafe or defective auto equipment. If you or someone you know has been injured by a defective vehicle part, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help determine whether the victim is eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Driving Under the Influence
A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a major contributing factor to fatal car accidents. This is why a common element of most defensive driving courses focuses on the role that alcohol and drugs play in America’s roadways. Courses typically cover topics such as state-specific limits for blood-alcohol content, how your judgment, inhibitions and motor skills are impaired by various types of drugs and the serious consequences that come with being found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or another drug.
Taking an online defensive driving course or accident prevention class in New York is one of the best ways to avoid points on your license and save money on your auto insurance rates. Check with your insurance provider for specific details on how much you can save by taking a defensive driving course. All of SafeMotorist’s courses are APPROVED by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and include six modules with short open-book quizzes after each module.
Psychological Factors
There are a number of factors that influence driving. Some are outside of a driver’s control, like the weather or traffic conditions. However, some are within a driver’s control, such as his mood or emotional state. This is why many defensive driving courses teach about avoiding unnecessarily stressing yourself while behind the wheel and how to remain focused on the road.
One of the biggest factors that affects a driver’s ability to stay focussed on the road is the type of music played in the car. Researchers have found that the type of music, its lyrics and tempo can have positive or negative impacts on a driver’s mood and performance.
Another big factor that can lead to dangerous driving is alcohol and drugs. The majority of defensive driving courses will also cover the state’s laws regarding driving under the influence, and how to recognize when a driver is operating a vehicle while under the influence.