As a driver, it is important to be aware that there are other people out there, and you need to share the road with them, including motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians. You need to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid getting into a crash.
To reinforce the importance of defensive driving we would like to offer these safe driving tips:
- Always check your mirrors, blind spots, and backup cameras before pulling out of a parking space.
- When approaching an intersection, slow down and be prepared to yield the right of way to cyclists and pedestrians.
- Put your smartphone or other electronic devices down and leave them alone when driving, to avoid distractions.
- Slow down in school zones, near parks, and around other areas where children are often present.
- Do not tailgate other motorists, motorcyclists, or cyclists.
- Be aware that motorcyclists and cyclists share the same driving rights as you and follow the same traffic laws and rules.
- Remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way when you are making a left-hand or right-hand turn.
- Never stop in a crosswalk when at a stop sign or red light.
- Always double-check to the left and right when turning for oncoming motorcyclists, cyclists, or pedestrians.
- Always slow down in parking lots and be prepared to stop if someone steps out in front of you.
- Do not drive in posted or marked “bicycle only” lanes.
- Treat bicyclists like another vehicle on roads that do not have a bicycle lane.
- Slow down when approaching pedestrians walking on the shoulder of a road.
- Always check your blind spots before changing lanes, as motorcyclists and cyclists may not be detected by blind-spot detection monitoring systems.
- Always use your turn signals to indicate you are changing lanes or turning.
- When turning right-on-red, be aware that pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing the street.
Take an Online Driver Improvement Course
Traffic laws and rules constantly change. For example, in Florida, a new ban on texting while driving law was recently passed that takes effect on October 1, 2019. Under the new law, it is illegal to text on a mobile device while driving and only hands-free texting is allowed. Furthermore, it is illegal to talk on a smartphone while driving through a school zone or construction zone with workers present, unless you are using hands-free.
The best way to guarantee you are current with all of the latest traffic laws in your state and to get a refresher on safe defensive driving techniques is by taking at least a 4-hour basic driver improvement course online. Some states may also offer intermediate and advanced driver improvement courses online if you’d like to further improve your defensive driving skills.
Depending on where you live, this course may also be called:
- Online Defensive Driving Course
- Point Insurance Reduction Program
- Online Traffic School
Driver improvement courses don’t only have to be taken when you get a ticket. You may also qualify for a discount on your auto insurance in certain states for completing a driver improvement course.
To get started on your driver improvement course online, please feel free to explore the courses available at Ticket School and sign up today! You may also call us at (800) 558-9887 if you have further questions or need assistance with registration.