Why Everyone Should Take an Online Defensive Driving Course

The goal of defensive driving is for a driver to be aware and cautious while on the road. To do this, a driver must utilize safe strategies that help him/her identify any potential hazards before they occur so they can react accordingly to avoid an accident and protect the lives of other road users!

The defensive driving methods are not restricted to traffic rules and practices. They are habits that should be developed and perfected over time to make driving a safer experience for everyone on the road. The first step to defensive driving is being aware of your surroundings at all times. This means keeping your eyes peeled for any potential hazards, such as animals or objects on the road, and being ready to react when necessary.

With defensive driving classes, you can improve your skills and reduce risks by learning to anticipate situations before they arise. You will also learn how to make safe, well-informed decisions to be the best possible driver. For example, when completing a safe driving maneuver, drivers may choose to modify their path or suspend their reflexes. These decisions are made based on the road and weather conditions when executing safe driving techniques. You can learn which response would be better by taking an engaging online defensive driving course. These courses help create safer drivers!

Why Do People Take Online Defensive Driving Courses?

An online defensive driving course is one of the most convenient and secure methods to complete a state-approved course from the comfort of your own home. You can complete the course at your own pace wherever you have access to the internet, and you'll be able to review the material as many times as you need to ensure that you're prepared for your final exam.

You won't have to worry about taking off work or school to attend an online class. You also don't have to complete the course hours on a set schedule. The course material for the driving class is all online and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from virtually any device. Other reasons for engaging in online defensive driving courses include:

A Driving Class at Your Own Pace

With online defensive driving courses, there are no lesson plans to keep track of, deadlines to meet, or time limits for learning. However, there is an end date for these courses. This could be 180 days or more, depending on the course provider and how long they want you to complete it before access will be suspended completely. The only true deadline is the date by which you must submit your certificate to a court.

Reduction in Points on Your Driving Record

One of the most prevalent reasons individuals take defensive driving courses online is to limit the number of points on their driving records, allowing them to keep their licenses.

When determining penalties, some states will not count a pre-determined number of points if you finish a defensive driving course. Point reduction varies by state but is generally between four and six points.

Insurance Discount

Another reason to take a defensive driving course is the possibility of receiving a discount on your auto insurance rates from your insurance company. Many insurers offer their policyholders a break on premiums if they complete an accredited defensive driving program.

This can be a significant saving, especially for those who have a high car insurance rate, to begin with. In some cases, the discount may even cover the cost of the course itself. After a three-year term, you may complete the online course again and qualify for another three years of insurance premium discounts.

Learn More About Driving Laws

Unless you're a newly licensed driver, you likely haven't reviewed driving laws and rules in several years. However, it's important to stay current on these things so that you can avoid costly tickets and accidents.

In online defensive driving courses, you will review some of the most important driving laws that you should know. You may also develop an enhanced driving I.Q. and renew your road safety confidence by taking one of these courses.

Improve Your Driving Skills

Defensive driving can help you become a better and safer driver. It will reduce the risks of car crashes through distracted driving, which keeps both yourself as well as others safe. The best reason for completing an online defensive course is to learn how being more aware could potentially save a life!

Immediate Access to Completion Certificate

The instant you finish your online defensive driving course, your course provider sends you an email with a completion certificate. It can be emailed directly to you and/or your insurance agent.

If you received a traffic ticket and would like to clear the citation by taking an online defensive driving course, be sure to check with the court to see if they have a list of approved courses. A certificate of completion from a course found on NM Online is accepted by many courts across the country.

Keep in mind that the sooner you get your certificate, the sooner you may start saving on auto insurance premiums and clearing your driving record.

What You Learn From an Online Defensive Driving Course

The content of a defensive driving course is determined by each state and is meant to educate the drivers according to the rules of their state. The majority of defensive driving courses, however, include comparable information.

On a general note, defensive driving courses teach students how to avoid accidents by being aware of their surroundings and other motorists on the road. The courses typically cover topics such as proper following distances, scanning techniques, and highway safety. The sections below offer a general overview of the material that is usually taught in defensive driving programs across all states.

The Cause of Traffic Crashes

Usually, drivers face a variety of issues and factors that can impact their driving quality on any given day. While some of these factors lie beyond the control of the driver, others, such as emotional or physical factors, can be influenced by the driver if he/she is aware of them and knows how to handle them. Defensive driving classes teach you how to manage or control these factors when you are on the roadways.

Psychological Causes

Defensive driving lessons are often concerned with how drivers can overcome feelings of stress, tiredness, emotional distress, and rage when behind the wheel. The classes sometimes advise you on how to develop a good attitude while driving and avoid distractions so you can concentrate on the task of driving.

DUI

The role that drugs and alcohol play on America's roadways is a crucial component of all defensive driving courses. The legal consequences of DUI charges are covered in these programs, including the state's restrictions on blood-alcohol levels and how alcohol and drug use affects your judgment, inhibitions, motor skills, and senses.

Effects of Traffic Crashes

Traffic accidents have both social and personal consequences and can be costly in terms of injury, human lives, property damage, and insurance premiums. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 35,766 fatal vehicle accidents in the United States in 2020, resulting in 38,824 fatalities.

It is worth noting that alcohol is a factor in about 38% of all fatal vehicle collisions, and another 30% are due to speeding. Car accident statistics are discussed in a defensive driving course to illustrate the influence automobile accidents have on people's lives and property.

In addition, the reasons for these incidents, as well as the emotional trauma and financial expense associated with them, are typically addressed. Excellent defensive driving courses aim to minimize the chance of these mishaps by teaching students how to drive with care and discretion.

An Emergency Escape Plan

Although this skill is simple to learn, it will pay off in the long run. You may be a competent driver, but you won't be one of the safest drivers on the road until you create an escape strategy every time you get behind the wheel. An escape strategy is an arrangement you'll make in the event of an emergency.

For example, when you're driving, it's important to always be aware of your surroundings and the other drivers around. If something doesn't feel right with how another driver is acting or reacting then just change lanes, but not too quickly. In addition, a defensive driver always ensures there is plenty of space between them and the next driver so that a safe stop can be made. These tips are generally important to driver safety.

Vehicle Systems

Also covered in defensive driving courses are vehicle control systems. This includes information on a car's systems, such as speed, gear acceleration, mirrors, signals, brakes, and so on. Defensive driving courses typically teach students about the proper way to operate each of these systems.

One system that is covered extensively in defensive driving courses is speed. Students are taught the proper way to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle.

Defensive driving online training also covers how all of the vehicle's safety features function together, including seat belts, airbags, and any technological gadgets installed in the car.

Improved Vision

The defensive driving course emphasizes better vision and awareness while driving. It includes lectures on scanning and road positioning for safer driving.

How to Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is a leading cause of automobile accidents in the United States. Hence, when you're operating a car, you should not use tablets, smartphones, and other electrical gadgets. While there are some distractions you may manage and others you can't, defensive driving courses will teach you how to limit the ones you can and avoid the ones you can't in order to be a safer driver.

Is a Defensive Driving Course Mandatory?

Every motorist doesn't need to complete a defensive driving course. However, some businesses require that their drivers finish one before being allowed access to a company vehicle in order to lower insurance premiums. This is because some insurance carriers offer a defensive driving discount on liability insurance for drivers who can show they have completed a state-approved defensive driving course.

However, if your license is suspended or you are arrested for a DUI offense, you may be required to complete a defensive driving course.

NM Online Defensive Driving Courses

Do you want to obtain a traffic school certificate for a DUI? Are you trying to get your driving record cleared after receiving a traffic ticket? NM Online has the ideal defensive driving course for you!

You don't have to waste your weekend in a classroom to fulfill your traffic school requirement – you can take an online defensive driving course using your laptop or any of your mobile devices in the comfort of your own home.

We have programs approved by all 50 states in the United States. They are easy to finish and are completely compatible with your schedule. A classroom course cannot accomplish that! Here are a few more reasons why we think NM Online courses will be ideal for you:

Seamless Learning Experience

When you enroll in an online driving safety course, it is pretty simple from there. All you have to do is fill out your registration, log into your driver safety courses, and study whenever it's convenient for you! Your work will never be lost since our auto-save function keeps your spot each time you log out. This makes learning at your own pace a lot easier.

No Delay with Your Certificate

We promise you that the certificate provided after your defensive driving training will not be delayed. It will be sent as soon as you've completed all of the course's requirements. After the course, you are immediately allowed to print your certificate of completion.

Money-Back Guarantee

The courses available through NM Online are high-quality, professional courses that are both entertaining and instructive. If you are not completely satisfied for some reason, all the courses come with a money-back guarantee. However, we are confident that the online defensive driving training offered at NM Online will meet all your expectations and more.

Are you interested in taking an online defensive driving course to clear a traffic violation or fulfill a court requirement? Look no further than NM Online. We have online defensive driving courses from every state. Sign up online today!