Why is a Defensive Driving Course Important?

Taking a defensive driving course may not be at the top of your to-do list, but taking the time to complete one can save you money in the long run and reduce your risk of accidents.

Defensive driving courses cover several important tactics you can use to drive safely and avoid a collision, such as:

 

• Maintaining proper distance when driving on highways, freeways, and in the city.
• Looking 10-15 seconds ahead when driving on the highway to react to traffic congestion, accidents, or stalled vehicles.
• Being aware of your surroundings at all times and what’s happening all around your vehicle.
• Checking mirrors briefly before returning your attention to the road.
• Always check blind spots and look over your shoulder. Relying solely on your mirror may result in an accident.

Defensive driving will cover all of these points and more. The purpose is to ensure that you drive safely and can react properly to unexpected incidents on the road.

The Advantages of Taking a Defensive Driving Course

Reduce Your Risk of Accident and Injury

Taking a defensive driving course may reduce your risk of car accidents and injuries.

Drivers in big cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas are known to cut people off, tailgate, and even pass on the wrong side of the road. These dangerous maneuvers can easily cause an accident. Defensive driving courses prepare you for these situations, teaching you how to safely take action to avoid a collision.

Harris County leads the state for the highest number of accident fatalities, and 11% of all Texas car accidents occur in the county. A defensive driving course may help Houston drivers stay safe on the road and avoid becoming another statistic.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Want another way to lower your insurance premiums? Enroll in a defensive driving course. Completing the course can save you up to 10% on car insurance.

Car insurance in Houston, on average, costs $1,821 per year. Premiums are significantly higher than both Texas and the national average.

Along with learning how to be a safer driver, a defensive driving course can also make your insurance more affordable without compromising on coverage. This discount can be especially beneficial for young drivers who are just getting started with their driving careers.

Less Likely to Violate Traffic Laws

Drivers who take defensive driving courses may be less likely to get tickets for speeding and other traffic law violations. Drivers often walk away with a greater understanding of and respect for traffic laws and the consequences of violating these laws.

Traffic Ticket Dismissal

Many drivers enroll in defensive driving courses for one reason: to get a traffic ticket dismissed. Completing a defensive driving course may be all that you need to do to have your ticket dismissed, but you will learn important lessons that will make you a better driver.

Fewer Trips to the Auto Repair Shop

Driving defensively has the added benefit of reducing wear and tear on your car. This is especially true of your brakes and tires. Aggressive driving leads to repeated sudden use of your brakes while you try to control your vehicle, weave in and out of traffic or make turns at unsafe speeds. You can count on more frequent visits to the repair shop and higher costs of maintenance. Your car is an important investment and should be treated as such.

Many Jobs Require It

If you work in a job that involves driving a company car or truck, safety is a top priority. Businesses are always looking to reduce risk. If the company you work for owns a fleet of vehicles you can be sure that they’ll reward those who drive responsibly and discipline those who don’t. If you’re looking for a job as a delivery driver, a suburban landscaper, a plumber, or air-conditioning contractor you can bet that demonstrating your history as a safe driver will help you get the job. Contact our car accident attorney in Houston today.

Most Courses can be Taken Online

In most cases, you can complete a defensive driving course without ever stepping foot in a classroom. Online learning allows you to complete the course at your own pace and according to your own schedule.

Virtually all online courses can be accessed on mobile devices, which gives you the freedom to complete your class virtually anywhere.

Where Can You Take a Defensive Driving Course in Texas?

There are several providers that offer state-approved defensive driving courses in Texas and online, including:

IMPROV
Created in partnership with the Improv Comedy Club, IMPROV offers state-approved online defensive driving courses. The course is affordable, entertaining, and of course, educational. The course takes just 30 minutes and can be accessed online using any device.

TexasDrivingSchool.com
An online defensive driving course that’s both affordable and quick to complete. Like IMPROV, this course is approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. Tickets may be dismissed upon registration.

The course covers important topics, such as traffic safety issues, the dangers of impaired driving, crash prevention tactics, and more.

Comedy Driving Defensive Driving
A state-approved online course that can be accessed on mobile devices and is supported by animations and videos. The course does its best to make defensive driving education entertaining (it was developed by professional comedians), so students better retain the information. Online and in-person classes are available.

Taking a defensive driving course is important for drivers of all ages, but it can be especially beneficial for new drivers to instill safe driving habits early on. While these courses can be taken to dismiss a traffic ticket, it’s best to take them before you get hit with a traffic ticket. Completing a course may help you avoid tickets and accidents in the first place. Just make sure that you choose a state-approved course to ensure it covers everything that you need to know.