Driving Safety Resources
Our driver safety tips will allow you to become a much safer driver.
Learning to Safetly Share the Road
Everyone wants to get to their destinations safely, whether you're a driver or pedestrian. The tips below come from a campaign called "Share the Road Safely." It was headed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Auto Drivers
- Do not cut off other cars - this could cut your own life short
- Wear your seat belt at all times, during all traffic situations
- Remember to constantly watch your blind spots and avoid "No Zones" near trucks and buses
- Ignore all distractions, like cell phones and children. Keep your focus on the road, and pull over if something needs immediate attention.
- Stay away from aggressive drivers and don't drive aggressively. Speeding and dodging traffic can be extremely dangerous and cause serious accidents.
- Watch out for trucks and other large vehicles making wide turns. Avoid being too close to these vehicles, so you don't get caught against a curb.
- Never, ever drink alcohol and drive, under any circumstances!
Motorcyclists
- Don't drive in blind spots of trucks, and avoid their "No Zones"
- Always wear a helmet
- Be a defensive driver. You have little protection during an accident, so you should pay even more attention to your surroundings and other cars.
- Perform a safety inspection of your bike, yourself and your safety gear.
- Always remain aware of your speed.
Bus Drivers and Truck Drivers
- All passengers' safety, including your own, depend on your condition. Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly.
- Perform regular vehicle maintenance.
- Always check your "No Zone," the areas around your vehicle where it's dangerous for other vehicles to drive.
- Be aware of work zones, and reduce your speed.
- Always maintain sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Remember to drive defensively and avoid aggressive drivers.
- Offer help to stranded drivers. Report accidents and other unsafe road conditions to traffic safety agencies.
Pedestrians
- Remain on sidewalks and crosswalks as much as possible. Follow the walk traffic signals, and keep space between yourself and the curb while waiting to cross.
- Look out for "No Zones," and be aware of blind spots for trucks, buses and vehicles while passing them.
- Watch carefully to make sure a car is coming to a complete stop. Drivers can be distracted and may not always stop - sometimes brakes can stick and they may not be able to stop.
- Wear something bright and reflective while walking near traffic. This is particularly important at night.
- Watch out for trucks carrying wide loads, because they might not be able to see you well, and are less capable of quick maneuvers.
Bicyclists
- Always wear a helmet.
- Constantly survey traffic around you - never assume every driver sees you.
- Ensure your brakes work at all times and always be prepared to stop suddenly.
- Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic.
- Look out for "No Zones". Don't attempt to ride between a bus or truck, because you could get crushed. Understand that large trucks have many blind spots, including the front, back and sides. This means it's difficult for them to see you.
10 Tips for Safe Driving
Lousy driving habits are often due to distracted drivers. Looking at your phone to check a missed text may seem innocent, but it could easily cause a car accident. Drivers must remain focused on the road and avoid distractions in order to reduce the amount of car accidents.
There are many safe driving habits for people to follow. Many of which are simple and common sense guidelines that we may sometimes forget.
10. Obey Speed Limits
Speed limits are in effect for a reason, and it's important we abide by them, even if we are running late. Drivers who reduce their speeds are less likely to be involved in an accident.
9. No Texting While Driving
Tons of car accidents have been caused by people using a phone while driving. It's imperative to abstain from texting or calling someone while driving. These distractions take your focus off the road.
8. Wear Your Seatbelt
Seat belts help prevent severe injuries and death when accidents occur. Always wear your seat belt - it could save your life.
7. Drive Defensively
Remember to practice defensive driving. Know when it's appropriate to accelerate, and to stop and pass another driver. Maintain a sufficient distance between you and the car in front of you so that you're always prepared for a sudden stop. Be patient and composed while in heavy traffic. All these techniques promote defensive driving and safer roads.
6. Use Caution in Bad Weather
Exert extreme caution during severe weather conditions, like rain showers, heavy downpours, ice and snow. The roads are slick and slippery during these conditions. Remember to turn on your headlights for extra visibility, no matter the time of day.
5. Don't Drive When Tired
Accidents occur often due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. It's best to refrain from driving when sleepy, and wait until you can be focused on driving.
If you can't avoid driving while tired, try grabbing a cup of coffee to keep you focused and awake. Listening to music may also keep you awake.
4. Don't Drink and Drive
It is never okay for a person to drive while under the influence of alcohol. It is against the law, and extremely dangerous to yourself and others. It increases the risk of a car accident and could land you in jail.
3. Know Where You're Going
Try to know your route before leaving. This may not present a problem in every scenario. However, learning the course ahead of time can avoid distractions, like viewing a map or using your cell phone.
2. Inspect Tires for Damage and Baldness
Regularly check your tires for pressure and any wear. Worn tires could blow up and cause a major accident.
1. Perform Regular Maintenance
Take your vehicle in for regular tune ups and brake pad replacements. This will help you avoid car accidents and expensive mechanical troubles.
Education from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
In our course, we share some of the highest quality instructional and educational videos on bicycle safety, passenger safety, and child safety seats. The videos are provided by the NHTSA.
Bicyclists
Choosing a Child Safety Seat
Our state-approved programs are developed to bring you a convenient, engaging and affordable way to handle all of your driver-related needs.
What people ask about our online traffic courses
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Is this an authorized and official course approved?
Our traffic school courses are accredited by many state and local agencies, including Courts and DMVs across the country. Before signing up for this course, you should confirm the specific benefit you wish to gain from this course with the organization that referred you to an online defensive driving course.
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Which states accept this as an official course?
Our traffic school courses - including defensive driving, traffic and driving safety, teen drivers education, and insurance reduction courses - are approved by many jurisdictions across the country. When registering for one of our traffic courses, you will be asked to select your state. If you do not see your state as an option, the course is not currently available there.
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How effective is your online course?
Research has indicated most auto accidents happen because of human decision or error, not because of a lack in technical knowledge. Our online traffic safety courses are based on the research and findings of psychologists specializing in the human thought process behind driving.
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What is your refund policy?
A 100% refund is available to you at any point during the course, before completing the final quiz.
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Which traffic safety classes do you offer?
We offer online defensive driving courses approved by many jurisdictions, including local courts and DMVs. Our online traffic safety courses are also approved by insurance companies for point reduction, premium reduction, and even ticket dismissal. Before signing up for this course, you should confirm the specific benefit you wish to gain from this course with the organization that referred you to traffic school.
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Do you offer training courses for senior drivers and others looking for insurance discounts?
Yes! We offer driver training for adults and seniors that can result in an insurance premium reduction. Each state has different requirements for who can complete a traffic safety course for an insurance discount. Some states only permit drivers age 55 and older to complete a traffic safety course for an insurance discount. You should confirm any benefits of traffic safety courses with your car insurance agent.
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Which forms of payment are accepted?
Payments are made online with a credit card, bank debit card, or a Paypal account. Visa, Discover, MasterCard and American Express are all accepted.
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When will I receive my certificate after passing the course?
Our traffic school courses can be completed in one sitting. You will receive your certificate within a half hour of completing the final quiz.
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What official documents are required for the traffic school class?
Students must supply us with payment and all required documents, including traffic citations, in the beginning of the class. Each student must also provide a government-issued Driver's License, or similar proof of identification, and confirm their eligibility to attend the course, in order to begin the traffic course.
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About how long does it take to complete the class?
The course is about 6 and a half hours long in states we are not considered certified providers, and is available at your own pace, as you are able to log in and out at your leisure.
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What happens if I do not pass the final test?
Most of our traffic school courses permit the driver multiple attempts on the final quiz. All quiz questions are multiple choice and true or false, and are based only on the chapter material covered in the course.
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Am I required to complete the entire course all at once?
Not at all! You will be able to log in and out whenever you like. Our traffic school course is divided up by chapters, which allows participants to complete one chapter and complete the next chapter when time permits. Our software will remember where you left off and will credit the time you completed in the course so far.
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Can I use my regular web browser for this course?
Yes. You may use Google Chrome, Mozilla, Internet Explorer, and any of the other standard web browsers on Mac and PCs. You may even complete our online traffic course on your smartphone, tablet and other similar devices.
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Where can I find my login information?
Your login and password are both case sensitive. Each person's login will be their driver's license number. The driver's license number should be entered the same way you entered it when first logging in to the course.
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Does Motorist Academy report my successful traffic school completion?
The process for reporting traffic school courses varies by state. Further details will be explained during your registration.
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What is your protocol for cancellations and refunds?
You may cancel the traffic school course at any point during the class, and receive a refund, as long as a certificate of completion has not been issued. Refunds will be credited back the original card or account used to the purchase the class. All accepted refunds are issued within 10 days of an eligible cancellation request.
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Yes! We are a Verified Secure Site, which means all information provided by students, including personal data and credit card numbers, is encrypted and secured. You may view our secure site verification certificate by clicking respective icon in the address bar of your web browser.
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How do I reset my password?
Your login and password were emailed to you during registration if you provided a valid email address. If you aren't able to access this email, or didn't supply a correct email address upon registering, you should contact customer support. You may also request your username and password on the Login Page.
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The timer in my lesson chapter is still running, but I am done. What can I do?
The chapter timers in your course must reach 0:00 in order for you to move on and complete the chapter quiz. If you finish reading the material before the timer is out, we suggest reviewing the information in bold, highlights, colors, or in boxes. You can also view the points in the "Let's Review" section.
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