how taking the driver course can make you a better driver

by Eleonore Mayer MD 3 min read

How can I improve as a driver?

Effective tips to improve your driving skillsLimit Distractions. First, you need to keep your car in good condition. ... Know Yourself. ... Be Aware of Your Surroundings. ... Learn from Experience. ... Make Time for Practice. ... Be Active on the Road. ... Follow Traffic Rules. ... Stay Alert.More items...•

What is the main factor that helps you to be a better driver?

What is the main factor that helps you to be a better driver? Tackling difficult driving situations when you are a new driver. Being confident. Undertaking as many lessons as possible.

Why do you hold your hands when driving?

This gives you more control and stability when driving, and is also the most ergonomic position to hold your hands for long periods of time. Allowing your muscles to be more relaxed and having more control over your vehicle instantly makes you a better driver. Last year I learned to drive again after a 10-year break.

How many positions should you keep your hands on the steering wheel?

For decades, driving instructors taught students to keep their hands on the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions on the clock. In the last few years, those guidelines have changed, so you’re now supposed to keep your hands lower, at either 9 and 3 or 8 and 4.

Can online driving courses save you money?

Not only can online driving courses save you money on your car insurance or take points off your driving record, they’re actually pretty good refresher courses for anyone who’s been driving for a while and the answers to those driver’s license tests are a hazy memory. Do you know how to eyeball how far ahead the vehicle in front of you should be based on your speed? Know the difference between a DUI and a DWI and how many drinks can impair you for each? Stuff like that is covered in these courses.

Does speeding increase your risk of getting into an accident?

We all want to get to our destinations sooner, but all speeding really does is increase your risk of getting into an accident or getting a speeding ticket, it turns out. Here’s the math behind it, and why you’re better off just driving at or below the recommended speeds.

Is it easy to park a car backwards?

Parking is (usually) easy once you get the hang of it, but in tight spots or when you’re new to driving backwards, it helps to know a few tricks. Here’s an infographic on parallel, reverse and forward parking and step-by-step directions for parallel parking. If you’d like even more help when parking and you aren’t lucky enough to have a car with a back-up camera, consider these DIY sonic sensors for your car.

Is driving a privilege?

An adult in your life probably told you that driving is a responsibility and a privilege, and though your daily commute may not exactly sound like a privilege, you still definitely have a responsibility to be safe on the road. Whether you’re an experienced driver or you’ve just finished driver’s ed class, there’s always room for improvement ...

Can you drive after drinking?

We all know the dangers of driving after drinking, but a serious lack of sleep could also impair you just as much (some people even sleep-drive !)—and one out of every six fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver, according to one study.

1. train yourself to avoid distractions

Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous and even the best of drivers are now falling victim to the pitfalls of trying to drive while your mind, eyes, or hands are not on the task in front of you.

2. check up on your driving knowledge

Do you think you could still pass your driving test if you took it today? Why not give it a try with this refresher and see where your weaknesses lie. You might be surprised.

3. take a refresher course

Now you are more aware of the things that you’ve forgotten since learning to drive, you might want to take a minute to re-learn them. Taking a quick defensive driving course online can be an excellent way to do this.

4. teach someone else to drive

Another good way to refresh your driving knowledge can be to teach someone else to drive.

5. calm it down

The facts don’t lie. Road rage is dangerous. Even the best of drivers can get themselves into dangerous situations through being unable to control their temper. If you know that you are prone to bursts of rage on the road, try one of these methods to deal with it. The road will be a better place for it!

What are the effects of medications on driving?

The effects of medications on driving. The importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking and using a cellphone. After completing the course, you will have a greater appreciation of driving challenges and a better understanding of how to avoid potential collisions and injuring yourself or others.

What is AARP Smart Driver?

The AARP Smart Driver™ course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is the nation’s first and largest refresher course designed specifically for drivers age 50 and older. For more than 35 years, the course has taught over 16 million drivers proven safety strategies so they can continue driving safely for as long as possible. Courses are offered in both English and Spanish in either a traditional classroom setting taught by more than 4,000 AARP-trained volunteers, or through an interactive online course that may be taken from your home computer at your own pace.

Do drivers age 50 or older look back on their licenses?

Cars have changed. So have traffic rules, driving conditions and the roads you travel every day. Some drivers age 50-plus have never looked back since they got their first driver's license, but even the most experienced drivers can benefit from refreshing their driving skills.

How long does it take to get a defensive driving certificate?

It can take up to 2 weeks to receive your completion certificate, so make sure you get it done at least 2 weeks before you must hand in your certificate. In some states, such as California, the online defensive driving course will deliver the completion certificate electronically to the court automatically. In other states, such as Texas, you will ...

Does iDriveSafely have timers?

For example, in California, there are no “cours e timers” required and so iDriveSafely doesn’t use timers in those states.

Can you get the answers to defensive driving test questions online?

Test answers are available online – And of course, you can get the answers to their test questions right here. If that’s not reason enough, I don’t know what is! In any case, as long as the online defensive driving course you sign up for is state certified, you will be able to get it done and complete court requirements.

Why do people take defensive driving courses?

Here are some of the most common reasons people take Defensive Driving Courses. Refreshing your skills, sometimes we forget some of the basic stuff that makes driving easier, so this way you can refresh some of your skills and get better at driving. Learning the new laws and safety measures. Changes in the laws, especially ...

What is the best defensive driving course for seniors?

Free Defensive Driving Course For Seniors: Best Available 1 AAA Roadwise. Now, this is a course specially designed for seniors, and the good thing is you can take it in person, or take it online. In this course, you can get refreshed on your driving skills and get a lot of helpful tips and recommendations that are based on the newest research. This course takes six hours to finish. In the end, you will get an earned certification via mail, and a discount on insurance based on your insurance company and state. 2 AARP Smart Driver Course. This one is for age 55 and older, and is focused on improving your skills, it also teaches you how to cope with medication that can interfere with your driving. This course takes 60 days to finish and in the end, you will get a certification and insurance discount. 3 Mature Driver Safety Course. This course is tailored for senior people, it puts its focus on improving the driver’s skill set. It takes into account a senior citizen’s driving abilities and shows you how to avoid accidents, how to improve your driving behavior, and how to cope with medications while driving. This course will also provide you with a certification and insurance discount.

How many years of driving experience is required for defensive driving?

You may have 40 plus years of driving experience, but sometimes even the best drivers can make a mistake that can result in an injury or even worse. That is why there are Defensive Driving Courses to keep your knowledge refreshed, learn a new safety tip.

Is defensive driving good?

Taking the defensive driving course is a really good thing, as we said earlier you can get so much out of it, you can improve, you can refresh your skill and maybe learn something you didn’t know before.

Do seniors get discounts for defensive driving?

Some of us don’t drive every day, it’s easy to forget some things, so this way you can improve. Also, people get big insurance discounts when they apply for a Defensive Driving Course for seniors. The discounts can vary depending on your insurance company and state you are located in, but it is somewhere between 5% and 15%.

Casey Carter Doyle

Yes, you can take a defensive driver course before your court appearance. However, there is no guarantee that doing so will result in a reduction or dismissal, especially if you have prior offenses.

James Lawrence Yeargan Jr

Usually it helps if you have taken the course prior to your court date.

Robert Paul Phillips III

Best bet to get representation to fight it, and if you need to afterwards, then that would be the time

Christian K. Lassen II

You can take such a course whenever you want. However, if you're only thinking of doing that because you think it'll help you with your ticket, then you should wait until the dissipation of your citation. You don't want to pay for a course and then have the court order you to another one, resulting in...

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