Learn About Defensive Driving

Learn About Defensive Driving

Defensive drivers drive “to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around them and the actions of others.” Defensive driving is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others while you are out on the road. Attending a defensive driving class is a cost effective measure that may lower your insurance premium. You may even be able to remove a ticket from your driving record for your attendance. Staying safe and saving money — that sounds fantastic to us here at Van Norman Law! Let’s learn a little more.

A Brief History of Defensive Driving

The best way to stay safe is to avoid accidents all together. This is obviously a given, but that was the idea behind the Driver Improvement Program developed in 1964 by Chris Imhoff who was part of the United States National Safety Council. The program instituted a Defensive Driving Course, which was designed to teach individuals the best ways to avoid accidents. The program gave drivers general guidelines like the two-second rule to assure a clear distance between their car and the drivers ahead of them.

Arizona Defensive Driving

The Supreme Court of Arizona has stated that defensive driving classes can be used to have a minor traffic violation dismissed, to avoid accumulating points on a driving record, or to earn an auto insurance discount. The Arizona Supreme Court differentiates between defensive driving classes and traffic survival school, known as TSS, which is for drivers who have committed serious traffic violations.

Options for Defensive Driving Courses

For the convenience of Arizona residents, defensive driving courses can be taken online or in a classroom. Individuals can choose the setting that works best for them. Defensive driving courses touch on defensive driving techniques, safe driving practices, and Arizona traffic laws and violations. Each of these subjects can be covered in approximately 4 to 4 ½ hours. Once individuals have shown a mastery of these subjects they are awarded with a completion certificate.

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident or have been charged with a DUI in Scottsdale, contact the law team at Van Norman Law for a FREE personal consultation.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/9/24). Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash