Terrific Traffic School Tips

February 5, 2013

Internet Traffic School Boosts Auto Insurance Satisfaction?

Satisfaction Up!

A recent survey from consumer satisfaction ratings agency J.D. Power and Associates found that U.S. drivers are increasingly satisfied with their automobile insurers. In December 2012, Power surveyed over 3,000 drivers who had settled significant insurance claims with their providers in the previous six months. Respondents assigned scores in each of several categories on a scale from 0 to 1,000.

According to Power's "2013 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study," overall satisfaction climbed six points from 2011 scores, to an average of 861. Power attributes the improvement to increased satisfaction with claims settlements. Drivers were happier with the fairness of their settlements and with the timing of those settlements.

Satisfaction Down?

A sure way to see satisfaction with your insurer go down is an increase in your auto insurance premiums. (Who wants to pay more for the same coverage, right?) Yet, a premium increase exactly what can happen to otherwise good drivers who have a citation showing on their records. Fortunately, the completion of a traffic school course will remove a ticket from your record. Even more fortunate is that you've come to the right place: CheapestInFlorida Comedy Online Traffic School offers Florida drivers an easy-to-complete, low cost Basic Driver Improvement course that will wipe their records clean. It's the cheapest way to complete a comedy traffic school!

Sign up now and stay happy with your insurance provider!

January 15, 2013

This Traffic Citation is Personal!

A recent post on autoblog.com relates the story of a man who went to court in San Francisco this month over a traffic ticket that he had received. The case centered on a sheaf of corporation papers that he used to make a statement about corporate "personhood."

While driving in a carpool lane in the San Francisco Bay Area, Jonathon Friedman was pulled over for not having at least two people in the car. His response was to show the officer his business papers and, citing U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have affirmed that corporations are people, said he indeed did have two people in the car—and was, therefore, carpooling. Friedman's attorney, Ford Greene, pointed to the "constitutionally vague" correlation between the California vehicle code that defines a person as "natural persons and corporations" and the carpool lane signs that require cars in the High-Occupancy Vehicle lane be occupied by "two or more persons."

Unfortunately for Mr. Friedman, the traffic judge wasn't interested in his legal interpretation and he was declared guilty. Friedman said he expected to lose, and that he'll be appealing the ruling within 30 days. Of course, he could just attend comedy traffic school and save himself hours of trouble!

If you're not a legal crusader and you find yourself with a carpool-lane ticket—or a speeding ticket (the most common kind of citation)—come see us CheapestInFlorida.com. It's a Basic Driver Improvement course that will leave you laughing, and won't break the bank!

December 19, 2012

Traffic Fatalities Down Last Year;
Pedestrian, Bike Deaths Surge

The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the number of traffic fatalities in the United States dropped to 32,367 in 2011, a decline of about two percent from a year earlier. The news wasn't all good, however. Bicyclists and pedestrians are apparently "moving targets," with a noteworthy increase of three percent in pedestrian fatalities and a surge of almost nine percent in the deaths of cyclists!

The cause of the decrease in fatalities is not stated in the article. Is it that police officers are issuing more traffic tickets so people can learn online at cheap traffic school? It may seem like that to drivers, but we believe the real reason for the overall decrease in car collision deaths is due to improved safety systems in vehicles—encouraged by the requirement to report automobile safety information next to the sticker price of the vehicle (i.e., crash test ratings). Secondly, the NHTSA estimates that the recent requirement for all vehicles to have Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems will ultimately save 11,000 lives per year. Finally, we speculate that texting and distracted driving are the primarily culprits for the decrease in pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Remember that the goal of CheapestInFlorida.com Online Traffic School is to save lives by informing our students of the risks associated with dangerous and distracted driving and to provide you with the tools to hopefully make you a better and safer driver. Please drive safely and keep your eyes on the road!

December 7, 2012

Holiday News

Happy holidays to our customers!

We wish you a safe and healthy new year! Hopefully, these quick tips can help you to do just that:

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), just over 1 in 5 crashes now occur due to distracted driving (NHTSA).
• Hybrids currently account for only 3.5% of all car sales, according to the Los Angeles Times. 50,000 Hybrids were sold this year—a 29% increase from a year earlier.
• Volvo is finally coming out with a hybrid SUV—safety, security, and sustainability all wrapped up into one!
• Tesla Motors, a public traded company, has already released an all-electric sedan and has showcased a "flying door"-type SUV. I recently saw it on display. Stunning!
• Someone I knew was tragically killed in a collision when he ran across all lanes of the freeway after breaking down in an interior lane. Never cross a major roadway to get help!
• Two great FREE smartphone apps for Christmas:
  • GasBuddy: finds the cheapest gas nearby
    (iOS)
    (Android)
  • ParkMe: lists the cheapest available parking nearby
    (iOS)

But if you don't pull over before using GasBuddy or ParkMe, you could find yourself with another traffic ticket—and another trip to comedy traffic school at Cheapest in Florida!

November 27, 2012

Driving It Home During the Winter!

As they say, "Winter is coming." With cold weather already hitting some parts of the nation, drivers are encouraged to include vehicle winterization on their end-of-the-year to-do lists. Angie's List helpfully suggests 8 ways to get your car ready for winter weather:

1. Check your tire pressure. As temperatures fall in colder weather, the air pressure in your tires will naturally drop, too. Take five minutes to make sure your tires don't need a quick recharge. Don't forget to check all four tires and the spare!
2. Inspect your tires. While you're checking a tire's pressure, you should also inspect the tire's tread. For a quick check, use the "Penny Test": Insert a penny head-down (pointed toward the axle) into a tread groove. If the top of Lincoln's head is obscured, you probably have adequate tread depth; if you can see all of Lincoln's head, it might be time for new tires.
3. Replace your wiper blades. A driver's ability to see clearly through the windshield is paramount. Check your vehicle's wiper blades, and replace blades that are cracked or that don't cleanly sweep water from the windshield.
4. Check the windshield defroster. Check to make sure that your vehicle's heating system—especially the defroster—is in good working order before it gets too cold. You'll want to stay warm yourself, and you'll want to be able to see where you're going!
5. Inspect the coolant system. Your vehicle's coolant system is just as important in cold weather as in hot. If you haven't had a recent radiator flush, check to make sure that your radiator fluid levels are adequate, that you're using the proper coolant, and that all hoses are in good condition—without wear indicators like cracks, bulges, or stiffness.
6. Check the battery. A vehicle's battery works harder during the colder months of the year. Cold-weather starts can quickly deplete an older battery, so check your battery's condition before temperatures drop.
7. Get a tune-up. Your car’s engine works harder in the cold, so it’s important to make sure it’s working at an optimum level. An engine that sputters or struggles to start in warm weather will only have more trouble when colder weather arrives.
8. Put an emergency kit in the trunk. Even the best-maintained vehicles can break down or get involved in a slide-off, stranding, or accident. Make sure you're prepared for those circumstances! Recommended kit supplies include a fire extinguisher, a hazard triangle or warning flares, blankets, a tire gauge, a spare tire jack and lug wrench, tire repair kits, jumper cables, a shovel, jumper cables, a flashlight, and gloves.

Check out the original article for the complete details!

These simple tips can help to protect you and your loved ones from a deadly vehicle crash or breakdown—and might even help you to avoid getting a ticket that would force you to visit us again at our comedy online traffic school, CheapestInFlorida.com.

May 25, 2011

Safe Driving Tips for Rainy Conditions

The summer season is upon us, and that means summer storms. You know that from years of experience, but did you know that you can get a traffic citation for driving 30 mph in a 35 mph zone if the conditions are such that that speed is deemed unsafe (e.g., in heavy rain or flooded conditions)? Imagine coming to a cheap or comedy traffic school in Florida and telling the class that you got a ticket for speeding while driving under the posted speed limit!

What should you avoid to keep yourself safe while driving in a downpour:

• Take off your sunglasses. It's a popular myth, spread on the Internet, that wearing polarized sunglasses will help you to see better in the rain. While there's a certain logic that makes this recommendation appealing, tinted lenses will reduce the amount of light—and, therefore, the amount of visual information—reaching a driver's eyes. While this may be helpful in the glare conditions of bright sunlight, it is always undesirable when lighting conditions are already reduced—i.e., in cloudy or rainy conditions.
• Turn off your cruise control. (In fact, some vehicle models will not let the driver activate the cruise control while the windshield wipers are turned on.) Hydroplaning—when a vehicle "skis" on a thin film of water between the wheels and the road surface—is an extremely dangerous event that can occur while driving on wet surfaces. The solution is to remove one's foot from the accelerator and gradually slow to a speed at which the vehicle's tires come back into contact with the road surface. If cruise control is activated, however, the vehicle can actually accelerate dangerously out of control. Do not ever activate cruise control in the rain!

What should you do in the rain?

In rainy weather, slow down to a speed that will allow you to maneuver safely in the wet conditions, and activate your windshield wipers to keep the windshield clear of rain spatter. If the temperature is cool enough, you might also need to turn on the defroster and/or crack the window to keep moisture from condensing on the glass.

If conditions are so extreme that you really can't see, then you really can't drive! Carefully pull to the side of the road, activate your hazard lights, and wait until conditions improve. That way you'll stay alive—and out of traffic school!

November 12, 2010

GE Likes EVs, So Should You!

Electric vehicles (EVs) could significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And they can lower the carbon emissions generated by our transportation systems—provided the electricity is generated from clean, renewable sources. But among the impediments to the widespread adoption of EVs is a "chicken-and-egg problem." EVs need to be recharged, and few consumers are going to buy them until there's an effective charging/battery-replacement infrastructure in place. But this infrastructure is unlikely to develop until there are enough EVs on the road to make it profitable for companies to produce those systems. General Electric Co. (GE) is hoping to jump-start the process (if you'll excuse the pun) by purchasing 25,000 electric vehicles.

GE, the largest U.S. conglomerate, aims to swap out half of its fleet of 30,000 cars—used by salespersons and technicians, for instance—with electric vehicles, and to start shifting to EVs customers to whom they lease fleet vehicles. It plans to buy 12,000 vehicles from General Motors Co., including the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, and from other manufacturers as other electric vehicles are launched. Nissan Motor Co. is rolling out an electric car, called the Leaf, this year. GE said that it hopes the move will speed acceptance of electric vehicles by getting more of them on the road more quickly and by prompting investment in the equipment that users will need to charge them. It is the largest commitment made to date by any buyer of electric vehicles, and the volume could help manufacturers of cars and batteries to drive costs down more quickly.

Wondering if the Chevrolet Volt or the Nissan Leaf electric vehicles are for you? Check out these glowing test-drive reviews. And if you've already got a taste for a car powered by electricity, perhaps you'd like to take a peek inside Chevy's Volt factory.

Today's EVs aren't toys; they're usable, regular vehicles—and you'll be able to go fast enough to nab yourself a ticket for speeding (in addition to other moving violations that don't require high velocities). Fortunately, traffic school can help you to remove costly points from your driving record. If you find yourself in need of comedy online traffic school, CheapestInFlorida.com is always here with entertaining, low-cost traffic safety education.

October 20, 2010

Easing "Range Anxiety"

As if all of the other hazards of driving weren't enough, a recent CNN report highlights a new phenomenon facing motorists. Range anxiety, a new phrase popular with drivers (and potential buyers) of electric vehicles, describes the distress that can be associated with the limited range of current battery-powered vehicles. Plug-in electric vehicles generally get between 25 and 100 miles on a full charge, whereas vehicles with internal combustion engines often go 300 miles or more on a fill-up. And gas stations are everywhere—there are more than 160,000 nationwide. There are only a few hundred working electrical charging stations in the country. The good news is that technology can provide the "professional help" you need to overcome your fears.

To prevent range anxiety, electric vehicle drivers often plan trips based on where they can charge their vehicles. The problem will be aided by the growing number of charging stations, of course. But other help is available as well. Electric vehicles that are part of the Better Place solution offer dashboard displays from which drivers can access an advanced network that provides energy monitoring and energy planning. Once you've got tunes pumping from your radio or MP3 player, you can use the same screen to access the vehicle's advanced telematics to check the battery's charge/range, plan your route, and locate charging or battery swap stations. If you need to access this information when you're not behind the wheel, some vehicles allow smartphone applications to offer energy management, trip data, and other functionality (e.g., access to engine start, climate control, and door locks) remotely.

No matter what fuel you put in your vehicle or how far you can travel after one "pit stop," remember that CheapestInFlorida.com comedy online traffic school is always here to help when you need to remove a point from your record!

September 30, 2010

Study Illuminates Yellow-Light Running

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati, with funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation, used video cameras to monitor over 1,500 drivers at four "high-speed" intersections in suburban Ohio locations. They measured vehicle type, speed, a driver's distance from the intersection when the light turned yellow, and the decision to stop or not in what they referred to as the "dilemma zone."

They found that vehicles traveling in right-hand lanes tended to go through yellow lights, while those on the left did not. Truckers also tended to speed through yellows, as did drivers on streets with higher posted speed limits. Drivers on streets marked by 55 mph speed limits were more likely to run yellows than those in 50-mph zones.

The study found that drivers of SUVs, pickups, sedans, and vans tended to slow down at yellows more than drivers of heavy trucks. Researchers speculated that vehicle weight may be the explanation, as heavy trucks have more difficulty decelerating rapidly than smaller, lighter vehicles.

How long the light remains yellow also matters. (Yellow-light times vary, but typically last about three to five seconds. Traffic engineers base the time on the average speed of the vehicles passing through the intersection.) The longer the yellow, the more likely it is that drivers will not stop, according to the study. With a long yellow, stopping is more dangerous, because other drivers are likely to keep going through the yellow, and someone who opts to stop runs a greater risk of getting hit from behind.

Just remember: whatever the reason, if you get a ticket for going through a light, CheapestInFlorida Traffic School is always here to help!

September 14, 2010

Collision Fatalities at an All-Time Low

CNN reports on the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the news is good: The 2009 figures indicate that traffic deaths are at their lowest point since 1950, when behind-the-wheel fatalities were first tracked! (Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs still accounts for nearly a third of the fatalities, however.)

This significant reduction in automobile deaths—nearly a 10% drop from the previous year—is most likely related to improved automobile safety, which could be attributed in part to the recent law requiring NHTSA crash test results to be disclosed on new-vehicle window stickers. Essentially, this "window crash test information law" forced manufacturers to improve vehicle safety or risk losing business to manufacturers/dealers offering safer vehicles ("Our vehicle has a five-star rating, while theirs scored only a three!"). Once this law went into effect a few years ago, there was an almost overnight jump in the number of top-rated vehicles being offered for sale. And the good news is set to continue, with the federal mandate that all new cars be equipped with electronic stability control systems beginning in 2011; the NHTSA estimates that another 10,000 lives could be save annually.

We recommend that anyone planning a vehicle purchase check the safety ratings provided by the NHTSA (www.safercar.gov) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org). The data go back at least 15 years, so the odds are good you'll be able to find out if even the used vehicle you're considering is likely to provide adequate protection in a collision. Of course, the best way to avoid harm is to avoid a crash altogether; but if you find yourself involved in a collision, the vehicle in which you're riding can determine the extent of your injuries. Think of the driver in Malibu, California, who crashed a $1.4 million Ferrari Enzo into a steel pole at 140 mph and walked away with only a small fracture. For your sake, and for the safety of your loved ones, please consider a vehicle that will afford you maximum protection in a crash!

August 18, 2010

The Road to Free Energy

Interested in weaning this country of its dependence on foreign oil reserves? Ever wonder where we'll find that truly clean energy to power our vehicles of the future? Ever worried about the aging infrastructure of our electrical grid? Engineer Scott Brusaw came up with a brilliant solution—that addresses all of these problems at the same time! He wondered what would happen if the concept of toy slot cars, which draw their power from an electrified slot embedded in their tracks, were extended to "real" vehicles out on our nation's highways.

As of 2003, there were roughly 25,000 square miles of roadway surface covering the lower 48 United States. Brusaw's idea was that all of this surface area could be replaced with solar arrays on which vehicles could ride. Rather than merely absorbing the sun's energy and radiating heat, high-tech roadways could be used to convert that solar power to electricity. At just 15% efficiency, these solar arrays could produce three times as much energy as the U.S. currently uses on an annual basis. And, by replacing the asphalt that we now use to construct roadways, we could lower our dependence on expensive imported petroleum.

Other benefits include:

• The panels would be constructed, in part, from recycled waste from landfills.
• Roadways would be composed of modular sections which could be prefabricated elsewhere, making for easy installation and repair/replacement.
• The roadways would form a distribution system that could replace our aging and inefficient power lines and other wiring.
• Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) would display traditional roadway markings (e.g., lane lines and crosswalks) as well as flash warning messages to drivers. This would allow for quick changes and rerouting that could boost efficiency and safety.

Meanwhile, it might seem counter-intuitive to think that glass would provide a viable roadway surface. But the University of Dayton, one of the country's top materials research labs, assured Brusaw that the substance could meet the extreme specifications required. With a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Solar Roadways constructed a prototype and has developed ideas to improve next-generation panels.

Of course, years in the future when your cruising a glass highway in your futuristic vehicle with its clean power plant, you'll still need to obey the speed limits. Then as now, should you find yourself pulled over for doing 75 mph in a 65-mph zone, Cheapest in Florida comedy traffic school will be here to help you remove the points from your record!

July 8, 2010

Tragedy in the Backseat

It's summertime again, and we're here with a timely reminder that could save a life. CNN reports that roughly 37 youngsters die each year when they are accidentally left strapped in car safety seats or become trapped in vehicles that rapidly heat up. Some states have laws against leaving children or animals unattended in a vehicle. But, legalities aside, you should always do what you can to prevent such heartbreaking misfortune.

Here are some tips to help you avoid a hot-vehicle tragedy:

• Place on the floor of the rear seating area your cell phone, purse or briefcase, and any other items you'll need that day. When you retrieve them at the end of your trip, you'll notice your child as well.
• Seat the younger (or quieter) child behind the front passenger seat, where he or she is most likely to catch your eye.
• Keep a teddy bear or other stuffed animal in the car seat when it's empty. When you put your child in the seat, move the animal to the front passenger seat as a reminder.
• Ask your child's babysitter or day care provider to always phone you promptly if your child isn't dropped off as scheduled.
• Make a habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle after you park to make sure there's no child back there.
• Never assume that another passenger has removed a young child from the vehicle.
• Invest in a device that helps you to remember small passengers. The Cars-N-Kids Car Seat Monitor plays a lullaby when the car stops and a child is in the seat ($29.95). The ChildMinder System sounds an alarm if you walk away and leave a child in the seat ($69.95).
• Put visual cues in your office and home. Static-cling decals reminding you to check the car seat are available from Emma's Inspirations and KidsAndCars.org.

While we're always here to help with traffic school to remove points from your record, nothing can erase the pain of losing a child. Always be mindful of your passengers—particularly younger travelers—and do what you can to keep them from harm!

May 25, 2010

Click It or Ticket 2010

In a press release yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that seat belt use is at an all-time high of 84% nationally. While it's great news that so many motorists are securing their future by buckling up, a whopping 45 million Americans still don't use safety restraints when traveling by automobile. It is estimated that failure to use seat belts results in 38 deaths from automobile collisions each day. The DoT used these disturbing statistics to kick off its 2010 Click It or Ticket" campaign, which encourages all motorists to wear their seat belts at all times.

Remember that safety belts are required for all front-seat occupants and all occupants under the age of 18. And with the implementation nearly a year ago of Florida's primary enforcement law, a seat belt violation alone is enough to allow a law enforcement officer to stop a driver. But, legal requirements aside, you should always wear your seat belt because it is the single easiest and most effective way to significantly increase your odds of surviving a motor vehicle crash.

If you get a ticket for speeding and have to take a Florida traffic school course, it may ruin your day. Getting hit without a seat belt could ruin your life. Please buckle up!

May 12, 2010

AUTO COLLISIONS A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH!

Toyota's recent problems with unintended vehicle acceleration have been implicated in 56 deaths—and created a lot of concern among consumers and safety experts. While we urge you to participate in any recall programs affecting vehicles you drive, these fatalities are just a drop in the bucket when comes to the lives lost annually in traffic collisions. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that over 34,000 Americans lost their lives in 2009 as a result of traffic crashes. These figures make auto collisions the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 34. In fact, traffic fatalities account for nearly 95% of transportation-related deaths.

The good news is that improved vehicle designs and better driver education (like traffic school!) have help to create a downward trend in the past few years. Still, an estimated 90% of fatalities are due not to vehicle defects but to dangerous, high-risk driving activities, including speeding, drinking and driving, and driver inattention. What, then, can we do to stop these senseless casualties?

• Always wear your seat belts. Seat belt use reduces the risk of death to front-seat passenger vehicle occupants by 45% and the risk of serious injury by 50%. Always make sure that children in the vehicle are safely restrained. And, since we're talking about tying things down…safely stow cargo items so they aren't turned into hurtling projectiles by a collision or hard maneuvering.
• Never drink and drive. Alcohol is a factor in about a third of traffic fatalities, and drivers' skills are impacted starting with the very first alcoholic beverage consumed.
• Put down your phone. Talking on a mobile phone (especially handheld) increases risk, and drivers communicating via text messages can be as dangerous as those who are intoxicated!
• Slow down. Excessive speed is a factor in nearly a third of traffic fatalities, and it is estimated to have an economic cost of $40.4 billion dollars each year.
• Look ahead in traffic. You can dodge a lot of problems simply to being alert and avoiding bad situations before they escalate. Keep your eyes moving when you're behind the wheel, and try to look ahead in traffic at least 12 – 15 seconds (about one block in the city or 1/4 miles at highway speeds).

To improve your driving know-how, check out the CheapestInFlorida.com online traffic school for an inexpensive, easy, and fun traffic safety education course. We can also help you with points assessed for moving violations!

April 20, 2010

WALKING ON THE WILD SIDE?

A police commander recently commented to the media on a rash of vehicle-pedestrian fatalities in the San Fernando Valley (a beautiful suburban development of Los Angeles, California): "We've had nine people killed this year to date, pedestrians in the San Fernando Valley—seven of them 55 years of age or older. Out of the nine killed, in seven cases the pedestrian was at fault."

One of the most common pedestrians "faults" is "Walking Under the Influence." In 35% of vehicle-pedestrian fatalities nationwide, the pedestrian had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%—enough to be arrested for DUI if they had been behind the wheel! We don't want you to drive home after you've been drinking, of course. But statistics indicate that it's not safe to walk home, either. The best thing you can do is to stay where you are until you sober up, or make prior arrangements for alternative transportation.

What else can walkers and drivers do to reduce the chance for pedestrian injury? As a pedestrian, you should always assume that the driver of an approaching vehicle does not see you or have any idea that you are even there. We're often told to "look both ways" to make sure that it's safe before crossing, but I like to tell people to turn their head 360°. While that's impossible, it gets across the point that you need to be aware of what's going on all around you. Vehicles may be coming at you from any angle, traveling forward or backward.

As a driver, meanwhile, you can promote safety by having certain assumptions about pedestrians you encounter. (After reading this article, you're likely to assume that the person is intoxicated. But, seriously….) First, assume that any pedestrian you encounter may suddenly cross in front of your vehicle. At intersections, assume the person on the corner may dangerously enter the intersection—even against a traffic signal. In short, expect the unexpected and be prepared to react. Decrease your speed and cover the brake (hold your foot in a ready position just above the brake pedal). Remember to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

Whether you're on foot on in a vehicle, always remember to think safety first. Never take a walk on the wild side!

March 11, 2010

STUCK ACCELERATOR

Recently a Toyota Prius experienced a stuck throttle (gas pedal) and wound up careening down the highway near San Diego at speeds of over 90 mph. The wise driver had the presence of mind to call 911, and a California Highway Patrol officer soon pulled up next to him and offered advice over a loudspeaker. The driver was instructed to apply the emergency brake in tandem with the service brake. The tactic slowed the car to about 50 mph, at which point the driver was able to shut off the vehicle and allow it to coast safely to a stop.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, do your best to keep calm. First try depressing the gas pedal sharply. If that doesn't release it, your initial reaction might be to turn off the ignition. But that is bad idea, as doing so may cause your steering column to lock. Instead, shift the transmission into neutral, or depress the clutch with a manual transmission. ( This will make the engine turn at high revolutions--which creates wear and may overheat it--but it disengages it from the transmission and cuts the power driving the wheels of your vehicle.) Above all, do whatever you can to avoid a head-on collision with another vehicle or a solid object.

Next, an American driver can expect to experience a crash once every decade according to Allstate Insurance. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has the safest small town drivers, while the Phoenicians of Phoenix are the safest big city drivers.

January 27, 2010

DRIVER "RETIREMENT"

Many older drivers wait until they are forced to stop driving by a family member, a law enforcement official, a court, or a licensing authority. Understandably, many respond strongly to what they see as a threat to their freedom, spontaneity, and even their roles as respected adults.

There are times, however, when an older driver may present a danger to the public—and to themselves. In these instances, it may be best if the driver "retired" from driving. Some questions you might ask about an older driver's behind-the-wheel behavior include:

• Has the person experienced a marked increase in violations, close calls, or collisions—even if they are minor?
• Is the person nervous or unsure on the road?
• Is the person able to maintain his/her lane when traveling through, and to change lanes safely when necessary?
• Does the person frequently get lost in familiar surroundings?
• Is the person inattentive to traffic signals and signs?
• Does the person react slowly, get angry, daydream, or become distracted?

If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, the situation may require further consideration.

The optimum situation is for an older person to begin planning for his or her own " retirement" from driving far in advance. Financial planning is central to retirement from the workplace, and older adults should be encouraged to develop transportation strategies for their later years at the same time. A "Mature Driver" course or other traffic school course may help to refine older drivers' technique and suggest resources to help them.

Everyone should have an interest in allowing older drivers to continue operating a vehicle for as long as possible, but it is ultimately about public safety and about the safety on your loved one.

December 3, 2009

Run a Red…and You Might Have to
Run to Traffic School

According to the most recent statistics, Florida drivers were issued nearly half a million citations in 2008 for running a red light (or an old-fashioned stop sign). The figures equate to an astounding 1,263 tickets each day for this offense—and those are just the drivers who got caught!

While no one likes to get a citation, that could be the least offensive part of the offense. Intersections are the most common place for a collision, and it's not just other vehicles and their occupants who pay the price for a stop light violation. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration figures indicate that, on average in the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 120 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes.

Sometimes, we inadvertently run a red light or stop sign. But all too often, we're just impatient or careless. What are the benefits of running a red light? If you read our CheapestInFlorida.com traffic safety education course, you'd learn that rolling through a stop sign/light is likely to save you about 2 seconds. In other words, you'd have to ignore thirty stop signs/lights on your trip just to arrive at your destination one minute faster. If you think about it, that hardly seems worth all of the death and destruction you might cause!

Because of the seriousness of red light offenses, Florida requires drivers who receive two such citations in a twelve-month period to complete a DHSMV-approved Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, like CheapestInFlorida.com. So, please remember these words of advice: green means proceed with caution, yellow means that a red light is coming and you should stop when possible, and red means stop—if you like your car and your handsome profile.

November 12, 2009

Beware the Pedestrian Caller!

Don't believe that cell phone usage slows down your reaction time? In a recent study conducted by Western Washington University, researchers discovered that pedestrians talking on cell phones were far more likely than non-phoners to weave in and out of walkways, walked more slowly, and were generally oblivious to their surroundings.

The study employed an obnoxious clown on a unicycle to gauge whether those who were walking and talking would notice if a clown had passed. Disturbingly, 3 out of 4 pedestrian callers either failed to spot the clown or didn't even bother to look up! In contrast, the majority of walkers who were either listening to music or not using any electronic device noticed the funny clown.

If cell phone use affects the simple act of walking this severely, imagine how it can hamper the complex task of driving. And, even if you take care not to talk on your phone while driving, remember that you still need to watch out for all of those pedestrians out there who are on a call. So stop clowning around and put away your phone!

Texting Worse Than Drinking Alcohol?

Two editors at "Car and Driver" magazine recently conducted an informal test…with results that were staggering (no pun intended) to say the least!

The two participants decided to see what was more dangerous: texting while driving or driving under the influence of alcohol. The test was conducted on an 11,800-foot airport runway (it was closed). First, they rapidly fired off text messages while driving at speeds of 35 mph and 70 mph. They then celebrated their survival by drinking until they reached 0.08% blood alcohol content (legally impaired in most states) and took another lap.

They discovered that texting was, hands down, more difficult than driving while legally intoxicated. Even on a straight, open road, reaction times when approaching obstacles were considerably greater while texting than while intoxicated.

In summary, editor-in-chief Eddie Alterman noted that "the real key to driving safely is keeping your eyes and your mind on the road." While it should seem obvious, he makes a great point. Any multi-tasking in the vehicle, especially when it takes a driver's eyes off of the road, is a prescription for disaster. So…if you want to wreck, go ahead and text.

In the end, I guess that's why the publication is called "Car and Driver" and not "Car Driver and Cell Phone"! All that's left now is to wonder what the results would have been if they had reversed the order of the experiment and tested the effects of alcohol on texting….

October 16, 2009

Can Teenage Drivers Become Much Safer Motorists?

October 18 – 24 is National Teen Driver Safety Week for 2009. What can you do as a parent to help your son or daughter to be a safer and more aware driver? Research suggests that "parental involvement" with teen drivers is the primary factor in reducing driving fatalities among young motorists.

Clearly, adult involvement is vitally important: In Florida, approximately 14,000 teen drivers were killed or seriously injured in 2008, and they were involved in an astonishing 35,000 crashes. These young drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than the driving population as a whole!

Want some specifics? Here are a few simple suggestions:

1. Always lead by example—practice safe driving techniques yourself. Teens generally emulated the driving habits of their parents. Plus, cautious driving might keep you out of a collision, and it might save you from having to attend our online traffic safety course! Never speed. Be courteous. Be a safe driver.
2. Work with your children when they are young, explaining how traffic and safe driving techniques work. Even at a young age, you can explain to them how to look left-right-left before crossing an intersection and how to get out of the car in an emergency situation. Point out dangerous intersections, discourage them from leaving objects lying about the vehicle's cabin (they can become projectiles in a collision), and show them how to slow down and watch for cars running red lights or stop signs at intersections. You can make a difference!
3. Share with your teens articles about safe drivers and defensive driving techniques. Our blogs and the links they direct you to are a great place to start.
4. Check out the safety record of your car—the one your teen will be using—at www.safercar.gov. This invaluable site compiles government crash test data for almost all new and used cars. We share the road with lots of drivers who may not be as careful as we are, and the car your teen is driving can make a huge difference if they have the misfortune of being involved in a collision.

Remember: working together, you and your teen can ensure that they are a safer, more aware driver—and one who rarely receives a traffic citation or gets in a collision.

August 17, 2009

Driving While inTEXTicated

Cell phones and PDAs that have text messaging capabilities are now an integral part of many drivers' "in touch" lifestyles. Some drivers literally "flip out" if they forget their cell phones. So what dangers are posed when someone decides to text while operating a motor vehicle?

A recent CNN article reports on a formal study done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that highlights these dangers. Researches discovered that truckers who texted while driving were 23 times more likely to have a collision or a near-miss than drivers who were not "inTEXTicated" (weren't actively sending and receiving text messages). The outcome is obvious and the dangers of texting while driving are serious: Even the most skillful multi-tasking texters have tremendous difficulty looking ahead, scanning the road, changing lanes, and holding the wheel--while manipulating an undersized keyboard and reading a one- or two-inch display.

Some states have taken action, outlawing texting while driving. Others, like Florida, have not outlawed drivers' use of texting enabled devices. But if the US Senate has a say in this matter, that may change in the near future. Recently introduced legislation would have states ban texting while driving or face the loss of millions of dollars in federal highway funding.

Since 90% of the sensory information that is needed to safely operate a motor vehicle is visual in nature, virtually anything that distracts a driver's attention from the road for a second or more may have deadly consequences. Would you read a "text"-book on the road? Of course not! And the same should be true of sending two-way interactive communications while trying to navigate the road ahead. Don't text while driving!!! And, yes, according to studies, texting while driving appears to be more dangerous than drinking and driving--which is still one of the leading causes of death on the United States' roadways.

July, 10 2009

Teen Builds Electric Car

Click here to find an amazing and "shocking" story about a teenage who cannot change his own oil, has never worked on anything electrical, but decided one summer to build an electric car based on internet research... If kids can build one, why can’t Detroit? Thus I have two questions 1) Who framed Roger Rabbit and 2) "Who killed the electric Car?".

May 26, 2009

Passenger in a Car Struck By Lightning

What should you do if you cars were struck by 800,000 volts of lightning? find out below. You are about to witness a Volkswagen Golf (ball) being struck by "lightning" with a passenger in the car. Truly an electrifying event: http://www.vistanews.com/3RU3FG/090226-Car-Lightning.

April 4, 2009

California Woman Sentenced to 6 Years for Deadly Texting Crash

On April 4, in Northern California, a woman who killed another driver as she was driving while texting (DWT) was sentenced to prison for six years. The woman crashed into a line of other vehicles which had stopped at a construction zone.

Sadly, the woman had been paying several bills with her cell phone just before the crash. California recently outlawed texting/emailing while driving for adults, and forbids drivers under the age of 18 from using any mobile communications device while driving. A few other states have instituted similar bans, and several more are considering like measures.

Safest Vehicles for 2009

Consumers now have a choice when it comes to safety: the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety named 72 vehicles as "Top Safety Picks" — triple the number that received the title in 2007. Experts credit a new law requiring crash safety ratings on new cars for causing an increasing number of manufacturers to pay special attention to safety features or risk losing market share to other, safer vehicles. Check out the complete list of "safest cars" at: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr112508.html.

March 4, 2009

So You Think You Are A Race Car Driver—Famous Driver's Speeding at 100 mph

Even the paparazzi are not fast enough to catch up with celebrities such as Matt Dillon, Le Bron James or Al Gore's son… Why a new breed of "speed racer" or celebrity speeders are rapidly joining the elite 100 mph club for speeding and getting a speeding ticket and possible worse. And this is no laughing matter. They all face huge fines, penalties, possible license revocation, the chance of killing or maiming another driver (or themselves) and they could even spend time in jail…According to the article published in AOL, Vince Ramirez from the California highway patrol states, "Upon a stop, the officer will issue a citation, and then it goes to county, where a court determines the fine." He says that most of these offneders are cited in the outskirts or city or rural populations. Speed has been proven to kill, and especially at high speeds, a rock, pothole, brush or a piece of metal may send the car airborne. Cheapest in Florida Online Traffic School is proposing that all traffic speeding tickets nationwide should have fines similar to drunk driving. We would also like to see a change in federal legislation to see the speed limit lowered by 10 mph in an effort to save gas and save lives. See entire article by visiting

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/04/aa.speeding.ticket/index.html

February 12, 2009

The top 10 most ticketed (and least ticketed) cars*:

10 Most Ticketed Cars:

1. Hummer H2
2. Scion tC
3. Scion xB
4. Mercedes Benz CLK63 AMG
5. Toyota Solara Coupe
6. Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG
7. Scion xA
8. Subaru Outback
9. Audi A4
10. Toyota Matrix

10 Least Ticketed Cars:

1. Jaguar XJ
2. Chevrolet Suburban
3. Chevrolet Tahoe
4. Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500
5. Buick Park Avenue
6. Mazda6
7. Buick Rainier
8. Oldsmobile Silhouette
9. Buick Lucerne
10. GMC Sierra 1500

*courtesy of Yahoo!

January 7, 2009

Nine Great Ways to Save Gasoline — and Your Wallet

Despite the fact that gasoline prices have dropped significantly from their recent all-time highs, it is still critically important for the environment (and your pocketbook, in these tough times) to "go green" and reduce fuel consumption as much as possible. Here are some easy and clever tips that can help. Many were provided courtesy of Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com):

1. Gas is more dense when it's colder outside, and you are charged for gasoline based on volume rather than density. By purchasing gas in the morning when it is coolest you can get more for your money. Note: There is some speculation that this might not be a factor since gas is stored in the station's underground tanks, where temperature is considerably more stable than air temperature.
2. Use regular gasoline unless your vehicle requires higher-grade fuels (consult your owner's manual!). You can generally save between 10 and 25 cents a gallon by doing so, and higher-grade fuels deliver little or no performance boost to engines designed to run on lower grades.
3. Use a fuel additive to clean fuel injectors. This will save on gas consumption. Note: many fuels already have this additive so it may not be needed.
4. Rolling down your window—especially at high speeds—will generally hurt gas mileage (more so than using your air conditioning) by interrupting the aerodynamic airflow around your car. By lowering the air conditioning volume (i.e., the fan speed) and temperature controls you can save even more. Also, once the interior has cooled down, try to recirculate the air from inside your car (most climate control systems have an air recirculation button). An added benefit: many cars have a sophisticated air filter which can also save you from outside smog intake. Now, that is something to get choked up about!
5. Check your tires and air filter monthly. Keep your tires inflated to the specifications given in your owner's manual (or on the sill of the driver's door), and replace your air filter if it is excessively dirty. You can perform this maintenance yourself to save money, or consider using any full-service gas station (you can tip the person a dollar or two without getting the more expensive gas, and they are g enerally more than happy to help).
6. Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Brake gently and evenly; remove your foot from the accelerator a half-block ahead of the stopping point when you can reasonably do so.
7. Driving at the lowest/safest speed that is legal and safe can save significantly on gas. Just make sure to keep to the right if you are moving slower than the normal flow of traffic.
8. At higher speeds on the open freeway or highway, set your cruise control (when it is safe to do so) to a reasonable speed. Your vehicle uses more fuel when accelerating. By eliminating unneccessary acceleration and deceleration, you decrease fuel consumption.
9. Consider buying a hybrid or other high mileage car. Your purchase will save you up to a few thousand dollars a year in fuel costs. More importantly, it will let automobile manufacturers know that you are voting for more fuel efficient cars.

If everyone does their part, together we can reduce gasoline consumption.

December 2, 2008

Mobile Phones Drive Motorists to Distraction

A study from the University of Utah has once again demonstrated that motorists who use a mobile phone while driving severely compromise their ability to control the vehicle. Researchers used a series of simulated driving situations and even found that drivers who employed a hands-free device were as distracted as those who simply placed a phone against their ear. In fact, the study showed that having a chatty/disturbing passenger in one's car is less dangerous than cell phone use, since those passengers frequently acted as a second set of eyes and ears. The passengers could give directions and could alert drivers to dangerous situations they might not otherwise see. (Check out videos of drivers with a passenger and on the phone!)

Cheapest in Florida Online Traffic School/Driving School urges you to "pick up" on this warning: avoid cell phone use behind the wheel whenever possible—even with a Bluetooth™ headset. While you may not a get a citation for cell phone use in Florida (yet!), numerous studies continue to sound the alarm that any cell phone use can be as dangerous as drinking and driving. Speaking of Bluetooth™ technology, maybe it is time for legislators to sink their "teeth" into banning cell phone use while driving…or having a legal limit of .08 cell phone minutes per month!

November 6, 2008

Yes…Driving a motorcycle could get you a speeding ticket and traffic school, but in the military it could even be worse than enemy fire

As a traffic school owner for many years, I always preach (usually unsuccessfully) to my friends, family, neighbors and anyone else who will listen about the extreme dangers and precaution needed if someone is going to ride a motorcycle. I love classic motorcycles and am intrigued by their look and design, but from a safety standpoint, their potential danger of causing serious injury or death really causes me to lose sleep. Over the years, I have taken casual surveys of people who have ridden motorcycles for at least a decade and the consensus from my informal survey is that about 80% have been involved in major crashes with broken arms legs etc (many tell me they are lucky to be alive). According to a 2001 study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA), motorcyclists were 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash than someone in an automobile. Crashes are frequently not even the drivers fault, and I constantly hear about falls related to oil slicks or road conditions.

Now the information is even worse according to CNN (click here). During the past year, 25 Marine Corp soldiers were killed in motorcycle crashes while 20 Marines lost their lives due to enemy fire in Iraq… Interestingly, motorcycles (at least large ones) generally get no better than 40 mpg and considering the risk. So "fire" your pistons and consider a safer, more reliable form of transportation.

September 1, 2008

Save gas, save time, and avoid traffic school by sharing rides!

A few years ago, folks loved tootling around in their 8-passenger SUVs, riding solo while talking on a cell phone or blaring the radio. Today, many drivers are discovering a great way to cut gas prices in half: sharing a ride with someone who lives nearby. In fact, by halving your driving, you can cut in half your chances of getting a traffic citation or having to take online traffic school. In some cases, you may even get to work faster (think carpool lanes where applicable)! Unsurprisingly, there are several useful websites that are "gaining traction" from the newfound popularity of ride sharing— and, as always, our site is here to help spread the good news.

One leading site, eRideShare.com, unites all sorts of drivers, from local errand runners and commuters to those needing to make a cross-country trip. And if you're afraid that you won't find a "match" for your drive, rest easy. eRideShare.com has recently tripled the number of visitors to the site, and has connected over 1 million users since 1999.

Another popular site, carpoolworld.com , offers a generous supply of listings by geographical area. Just click on the map or select your city from the list on the left side of the page to get started. The ads even specify what drivers are looking for in a commuting partner (non-/smoker, male/female, etc.).

Finally, craigslist is an excellent, nationwide resource. Simply select your state and geographic area to get started. You can post an ad; or find a posting by entering the term "ride share" in the search tool (make sure to use a space).

All three services are free for drivers and passengers, and their benefits are priceless. You can sit back and enjoy your own chauffer driven sedan at half the cost of driving alone. Just don't forget the tunes!

July 22, 2008

Imagine getting a speeding ticket in your all new Electric Sports car

Tesla Motors, a San Carlos, California-headquartered company, recently unveiled a $110,000 roadster sports car with 0-to-60 times near four seconds. Based on the Lotus Elise platform, the head turning, aerodynamic vehicle has a base price of $98,000, and rivals the fastest cars on the market today. Best of all, after a fun day on the road, you simply go home and plug it into the wall. By day you will have a "gas" driving the car, but at night the car prefers electricity.

The two seater beauty is 100% electric, weighs 2690 pounds, and has a range of approximately 220 miles per charge. I have personally seen three of these loveable convertibles at one of the Tesla dealerships, and they are as exotic as they come. But even if you have 100 grand to spend, don't plan on sending your gas guzzler to the junk yards anytime soon. The wait is two years, with people like California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger already at the head of the line. And knowing Arnold, who has a collection of exceptional cars, he will be back for more than one. The good news for the average motorist is that Tesla has slated a more affordable— and more practical—sedan for late 2010 production. You can visit Tesla motors by going www.teslamotors.com.

June 30, 2008

A Traffic School Tip That Could Save Your Life...Or That of a Loved One!

Each year, approximately 43,000 Americans die needlessly in automobile collisions. Survivors often wonder how things might have turned out differently "if only...." Defensive driving can avert many crashes, but other factors come into play as well. Crash test data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) suggest that the vehicle you drive may determine if you live or die in a collision!

Statistics indicate that vehicles with the best crash test ratings do in fact perform better in real world collisions than lower rated cars. Since most of us will be in a motor vehicle collision at some point in our lives, it's worth investigating how you might fare. If the vehicle you drive didn't receive a five-star rating (the maximum) for almost all collision types, you might consider trading it in for a model that could better protect you in a moment of need. Remember: The best reason to purchase a vehicle is not because of its "model" good looks, its high-tech features, or its hybrid power plant. The consideration which should most affect your purchase decision (in our opinion) is the degree to which a vehicle protects the occupants from harm. For comprehensive crash test data and other vehicle safety information, visit www.safercar.gov or www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx.

We hope this information will save someone's life!

May 1, 2008

Put the Brakes on Gas Prices!

"Don't get a speeding ticket in your new, bright red 2008 Honda FCX hydrogen car!

Honda Motors, a leader in zero emission hydrogen fuel cell technology, recently announced the company is making available to the public a four passenger sedan that creates no emissions and uses no gas. Like the first innovative Ford Model T's created nearly a century ago, Honda's breakthrough car comes only in one color which is a darker red star garnet. The Model T for many years came in only black.

Honda's FCX is powered from the electricity it generates when the oxygen and hydrogen are mixed together in a stacked fuel cell. And the car will only emit water vaper. Imagine getting pulled over for traveling at its top speed of 100 mph and then being cited with a speeding ticket -"But officer, my car was just letting out a little steam."

The FCX will drive 270 miles without needing a refueling station refill. The only downside...there are very few refueling stations (in Southern California only) where it is being tested and the car will set you back $600 a month. The good news is that the car's maintenance, which most experts predict will be rare, is included."

April 7, 2008

Put the Brakes on Gas Prices!

Virtually every driver knows that slower speeds results in using less gas. Of course, in 1995, the US Congress had the brilliant insight to do just the opposite—and decided to repeal the national speed limit act. Next, our energy conscious states (32 to be precise) decided to raise their speed limits to 70 mph or more according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). And now Americans are asking why gas prices are going up "full throttle." Car engines operate efficiently at speeds well under 60 mph. As gas prices are setting records highs, a movement is underway to encourage lawmakers to seriously consider reducing highway speeds in an effort to safe at the pump. Studies show that reducing speeds from 70 - 60 mph would result in a net increase of between 2% and 3% in energy savings—and larger reductions in speed could save 10% or more. Moreover, slower speeds have been shown to significantly reduce death/accident rates. And slowing down could save you a speeding ticket which will is probably why you needed our online traffic school in the first place. Let's put the brakes on gas prices by slowing down. Together we can save lives—and a few gallons of gasoline.