Defensive Driving Tips and Techniques

iDriveSafely’s innovative defensive driving programs are particularly suited to drivers with busy schedules. If you have no driving school in your area, they will suit you down to the ground. The courses are delivered online via the web. This means that all a driver needs to complete a defensive driving course is a driver’s licence and a PC with a basic web browser and internet connection. There is no software required, although some courses use the free Macromedia Flash plugin which can be installed during registration.

Taking a defensive driving course from iDriveSafely.com means no teachers, no classroom and no workbooks. The courses are all State approved, and are selected according to the particular state where a student resides. Some the available courses include:

1. Defensive Driving – Ticket Dismissal
2. Defensive Driving – Insurance Discount
3. Seatbelt Safety Course
4. Child Safety Course

Each defensive driving course has a combination of text, graphics, animations, and videos – all designed to prevent boredom during the learning experience. Instead of listening to a teacher deliver the course face-to-face, students have the ability to move through the course at their own pace. This allows the student to revisit those sections which need reinforcing, and skip through parts which may already be familiar.

Most of the courses are 6-8 hours long with the average cost between $30 and $40. Once a student finishes the course, the next step is to complete an examination. A typical final examination is 25 questions, but could be longer depending on the requirements of the relevant state or county. Individuals who complete a Traffic School course with iDriveSafely will receive an official Certificate of Completion. iDriveSafely offers free standard certificate delivery as well as multiple express delivery options.

Besides improving defensive driving skills, there are other benefits to taking one of iDriveSafely’s driving courses. In some states, driving record demerit points can be dismissed by successfully completing an approved driving safety course like this one, and some insurance companies also offer discounts.

Individuals who prefer to learn face-to-face might not like the way the courses are delivered via the web. Some people like to have the opportunity of asking questions and watching live demonstrations by real people. Those with no computer or internet experience might also consider the method of course delivery a little daunting.

You can visit the iDriveSafely website for more information about their innovative defensive driving programs.

Accidents that are mere “panel-beating” for a car or truck can mean death or disability for a motorcyclist. It is not difficult to lose a limb, seriously damage internal organs, or become paralysed. 

Motorcycle Super Safety Tip #1: Wear a helmet

The number one topic in any discussion about motorcycle super safety is “wearing a helmet”.  There is often spirited disagreement between those who believe in wearing a motorcycle helmet and those that don’t.

It is hard to isolate one single argument from the no-helmet brigade that makes any sense, and research statistics abound on the number of motorcyclists lives saved by wearing helmets.

(more…)

There is no doubt that seat belts are the most significant safety device ever introduced. Research shows that properly fastened lap/shoulder seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent. and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. For light truck occupants, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60 percent and moderate-to-critical injury by 65 percent. (NHTSA, 2005)

From 1975 through 2004, it is estimated that safety belts saved 195,382 lives, including 15,434 lives saved in 2004. If all passenger vehicle occupants over age 4 had worn seat belts, 21,273 lives (an additional 5,839) could have been saved in 2004 alone. (NHTSA, 2005)

(more…)

How is this for an alarming statistic? In the United States 41,000 people die from motor vehicle accidents every year. Another two million sustain serious injuries. And that doesn’t include other countries around the world.

Imagine for a moment those teenagers you often see doing dangerous, senseless stunts on their bikes and skateboards. Guess what. Those teenagers grow up, become drivers and probably form part of the accident statistics already discussed.

If you arm yourself with some commonsense, defensive driving, statistics, and risk management, you can make sure you are not amongst the 41,000 or the two million.

(more…)