Terrific Traffic School Tips

January 27, 2009

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.