Traffic school

Traffic school is the generic common term for remedial courses in traffic safety and safe driving practices. In the United States, these are offered as part of pretrial diversion programs to traffic violators by traffic courts, in the interest of improving general safety.

Incentive

Opting to take the course may cost the violator anywhere from slightly less than the fine for the violation to significantly more, but successful completion will usually either completely remove, or significantly reduce, the violation's effect on the violator's driving record, which in turn will at least reduce the violation's effect on the violator's insurance premiums. Typically, a traffic violator will be offered the opportunity to take such a course only if he or she has not done so within a specified number of months prior to the violation; this keeps frequent violators from abusing the system to avoid the consequences of their recklessness, while encouraging participants to pay attention, and to put what they learn into practice.

What does a Traffic School Do?

The term "traffic school" does not have the same meaning in every state of the U.S. In some states traffic school is a course; in others it is a a brick and mortar or online school providing some of the following courses:

• Traffic Ticket Dismissal
• Defensive Driving
• Driving Safety
• Point Reduction
• Driver Improvement
• Insurance Discount
• Aggressive Driving

Although the course objectives sound different, the primary goal of a person taking these courses is to:

1. Dismiss a traffic ticket issued by police or highway patrol
2. Remove points on his or her driving record
3. Learn the driving safety techniques of that respective state
4. Practice driving with a driver improvement program
5. Gain an insurance discount

Traffic school programs are offered through many channels: 1. Online/Internet - Very easy, convenient, and user need not be that tech savvy to understand and complete the course.

• Creates an account with the provider
• Pays through a bank issued card
• Completes the course, usually 8 chapters. The course is in some cases listenable (through headphones) and in some cases a multimedia course where the user can view animations and listen to voiceovers teaching safe driving techniques and road rules of that respective state. If in any doubt, he/she can contact (phone/chat) the 24/7 online support and get queries resolved.
• Takes the final exam online. In a few states like Texas and New York, the final exam is not given, as finishing the final chapter is considered the end of the course.
• Opts for a mail-out and gets a certificate. In some states certificates are delivered directly to Court/DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and in other states it is delivered to the address the user provides; the user then carries the certificate to court in order to get any traffic tickets or points on the driving record dismissed or removed.

2. Classroom - Traditional, offers a personal touch to the user taking the traffic school course, as he/she will listen directly to a live instructor and can get any questions answered immediately.

• User schedules classroom time based on a convenient day and time.
• Listens to the instructor and understands the safe driving techniques and rules of the state.
• Writes the exam under the supervision of the instructor or a notary, passes the exam and gets the certificate.
• Takes the certificate to the court to have traffic tickets dismissed or driving record points removed.

3. CD/DVD/On Demand - The latest, most convenient method.

• User rents or buys a CD or DVD or asks for a telecast.
• Listens and watches the safe driving techniques and rules of that respective state.
• Goes to a notary, passes the exam and gets the certificate.
• Takes the certificate to the court to have traffic tickets dismissed or driving record points removed.

In addition to the United States, a few states and provinces in Canada, Australia and Europe also have this type of traffic school in place, but compared to other countries the United States course is taken on a large scale.

The providers who offer these courses are usually certified by respective state road/traffic safety bodies, such as:

• State
• Court
• DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
• BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles)
• DOT (Department of Transportation)
• DDS (Department of Driving Services)
• TEA (Texas Educational Agency)
• DOS (Department of Safety)
• DOI (Department of Insurance)
• MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission
• DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
• Highway Patrol

Below are a few examples of list approved providers in respective states listed in state specific road/traffic safety providers:

Traffic school not only deals with ticket dismissal and insurance discounts, but also teaches or provides courses for:

• Drivers Ed - For teenagers above 13 years and below 18 years old to get their driving permits/licenses
• Adult Drivers Ed - For ages 18+ who do not have a driving license
• Insurance Discount - For ages 55+, to get an insurance discount
• Fleet - For company drivers to drive fleet vehicles

Traffic school covers all traffic safety related courses for all segments and ages above 13.

"Home Study" Courses

Starting in the early 1990’s, a few courts in California began allowing traffic violators to complete their traffic school outside of the traditional classroom setting. These early “home study” courses were in the form of workbooks and videos. Their purpose was to provide the equivalent of a classroom curriculum but afford students the flexibility of completing the traffic school requirement according to their own schedules.

Internet Traffic School

Today, in states like California and Florida, internet or / web traffic school has become the preferred method for traffic ticket holders to have their tickets dismissed. In California, for example, almost all state courts allow online traffic school for most traffic violations (such as speeding, rolling a stop sign, etc.) Many states offer internet (web) traffic school in one form or another. The incentive for people to do traffic school online is the flexibility and time savings it offers, most people choosing to complete their course from home. Also, as the internet has progressed, so has the quality of some online traffic safety courses. Most internet traffic school providers also handle the court certificate processing for you.

For further reading

• Scott V. Masten and Raymond C. Peck (06/28/2004). "Problem driver remediation: A meta-analysis of the driver improvement literature". Journal of Safety Research. 
• David L. Struckman-Johnson, Adrian K. Lund, Allan F. Williams and David W. Osborne (09/12/1988). "Comparative effects of driver improvement programs on crashes and violations". Accident Analysis & Prevention. 
• Katharine Ker, Ian Roberts, Timothy Collier, Fiona Beyer, Frances Bunn and Chris Frost (09/17/2004). "Post-licence driver education for the prevention of road traffic crashes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials". Accident Analysis & Prevention.