Common Reasons for Traffic Stops -  About half of all traffic stops initiated by the police result in traffic tickets. About 8% of all drivers on the road will get pulled over each year, and men are more likely than women to be stopped. Contrary to popular belief about 85% of drivers say they had a legitimate reason to be stopped. Only about 5% of traffic stops result in a search of the driver or the car. So, how can you avoid getting pulled over? First and foremost, attend a certified defensive driving course in your area to ensure you’re up-to-date on the rules and regulations of the road! Ignorance is not an excuse under the law. Here are the most common reasons police pull over drivers: SPEEDING Speeding is by far and away the #1 reason police pull over drivers. You should always obey the posted speed limits and also...

Reasons To Take Defensive Driving Course-    There are plenty of reasons not to take a defensive driving course. What if it’s boring? What if you don’t pass? What if you don’t learn anything? Here in Georgia, though, there are more than enough really good reasons to get yourself signed up for defensive driving stat. Here are four perfectly good, hard to argue with reasons to take an online defensive driving course in Georgia right now.   1. Reduce the points on your license. Depending on what kind of moving violation you’ve been charged with, completing your defensive driving certificate in Georgia may help you remove some points from your license. Every 5 years, GA drivers are eligible to remove 7 points from their license by taking a course at an approved defensive driving instructional facility – online courses do not apply. Once you get 15 points on your license within...

Distracted Driving Reasons -   Distracted driving is no small matter. Over 3,000 people a year are killed in distracted driving crashes in the U.S. alone, and 10% of all teens involved in accidents say they were distracted in some way. Of course, texting gets a lot of press for being the most pressing distraction today, but there are plenty of other things people are doing while driving that put everyone at risk. The first thing you learn during defensive driving classes is that a distracted driver is a deadly one. That's true! Don't just assume that because you've put the phone away you're in the clear...these distractions are just as dangerous when you're behind the wheel. EatingOur fast-paced lives and availability of fast food mean lots of people have taken to eating while driving. While it's probably fine to sip a soda or chew gum while driving you really should...

What To Look For In An Online Traffic School We know, we know. You've been court ordered to take DUI classes or maybe you just need to brush up your skills in a defensive driving class. No one's usually all that excited to be going to traffic school (except us, but we're biased!) but that's okay! All you really need to focus on is learning and growing as a driver. In the meantime, why not attend a driving school that's, at the very least, comfortable and relatively enjoyable? At North Metro, we pride ourselves on creating the kind of environment we'd want to take driving classes in, and our students tell us they can feel the difference. Next time you need to sign up for traffic school, even if you're not in the Atlanta area, look for these six things...   1. Convenient Location Odds are, you're going to be heading to class...

Are Convertibles Safe? When the weather warms up you can bet you'll see more convertibles on the road. Our office is in the southeastern U.S. which means people start putting the tops down around April...and that raises the question, are convertibles safe? Whether you're thinking of trading in your car for something more sporty or your kids have a friend with a canvas top covertible, you should know a few things about the overall safety of these kinds of cars. First and foremost, safety. Even the NHTSA says convertibles are "likely to be less crashworthy than the same model with a hard top." It just makes good sense. Even with roll bars, canvas-covered vehicles provide less protection in the event of a rollover or a high-speed crash. You and your family members are far more likely to be thrown from a convertible than a conventional car. The good news is, rollover...

What is "Defensive Driving"? Do Teens Need It? Defensive driving is a skill every teen driver should have, but what exactly is defensive driving? In essence, defensive driving is the ability to "defend" yourself as the driver of a vehicle against possible threats to your safety and risks of accidents. Good drivers are those who drive on the defense, not the offense, and every teen on the road should know a specific set of skills to help themselves stay safe and also protect others on the road. If any of the following describes your kids, they may need to take a defensive driving class in your area before you hand over the keys: They've had trouble following house rules or other parameters you set for themThey make rash decisions that show little insight or forethoughtThey've had trouble with motor skills and reaction time while playing sportsThey're highly nervous behind the wheel during learner's...

Things You Need to Know About Motorcycle Accidents -  Who hasn't dreamed of crusing on a motorcycle? The wind in your hair (under your helmet, of course), the feel of the open road, the speed, the power...But before you rent a Harley for the weekend or take your friend up on his hog-riding offer you should know that the seat of a motorcycle is one of the most dangerous places you can be on the road. Here are 7 things you need to know about motorcycle accidents that might save your life... 1. Between 1999 and 2008, motorcycle deaths in the U.S. effectively doubled. Over 1,200,000 non-life threatening motorcycle crash injuries were treated in ERs across the coutry while more than 34,000 people were killed. 2. Motorcyclists are over 35 times more likely to experience a deadly accident on the road than cars. Lack of protection and safety gear account for a vast...

Are You Driving A Dangerous Vehicle on the Road? Some cars are more dangerous than others. That’s a fact. Of course, many accidents are due to factors like weather, lack of education, and recklessness rather than defects within the cars themselves. Still, certain models and makes of cars have higher-than-average accident statistics and it’s something worth considering, especially if you’re driving kids or have teens of driving age. Here’s a quick look at some of the most dangerous vehicles on the road you should think twice about taking for a spin… Chevy Corvette Sure, they may look cool but Chevy Corvettes have arguably killed more people than any other car in history. It likely has something to do with the type of people who tend to buy Corvettes and the fact they go from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds. For every 10,000 Corvettes registered in the U.S. nearly...

What Your Car Says About You- Is your car making you a target? If you live in a city with car culture like Atlanta or LA you’ve likely spent some time thinking about what your car is saying about your personality. Your friends, your insurance provider, and even the law are probably making assumptions about you based solely on your mode of transportation so it’s good to know what vibe you’re putting out!   If you drive a black or red car… Studies show that red car drivers are more inclined to want to stand out while black car drivers are aiming for a powerful, masculine vibe. Contrary to popular belief, red cars don’t get ticketed more often than other colors and in actuality, if you want to avoid a ticket you should avoid gray cars and go for white instead! If you drive a common sedan model… Think your Corolla,...

Winter Weather Driving Myths - Atlanta's winter driving conditions have been crazier than ever this year. It's time you learned how to drive in the snow, ice, and other adverse conditions in the event you have to. Of course, if you don't have to go out in inclement weather it's always best to stay home! If Snowpocalypse taught us anything it's never to underestimate the power of a little weather to make things miserable. Unfortunately, there are plenty of pervasive winter-weather driving myths that simply aren’t true. Not only is believing them unadvisable, it can actually be incredibly dangerous. Every year anaverage of 467 people are killed while driving on icy roads in the U.S. Learn how to handle them to avoid becoming a statistic. Here are some winter driving myths you should never, ever believe…   Myth 1: All-Season Tires Can Handle Any Conditions It’s important to remember that all-season tires are actually middle...

Talk to Your Kids About Before They Get Their License- Is Your Teen Ready for the Responsibility of a Driver’s License? As the weather warms up, more and more teenagers across the country are learning to drive or excited about getting their license before summer hits. The freedom of driving comes with a lot of responsibility and a lot of risk! In fact,15-20 year old drivers account for almost a full of all motor vehicle crash injuries despite making up only 14% of the population. So, what can you do to help your teens stay safer on the road? It's your job as a parent to prepare your kids for one of the most dangerous times in their lives...these are seven things to talk to them about before they ever even get their license. 1. Drinking and Driving You'd be surprised just how often alcohol is a factor in teen driving crashes...

Lessons On How to Drive Safety in Winter Weather- It's no secret Atlanta was caught woefully underprepared this week when winter weather hit the city. Of course, many of the worst traffic problems were caused by unpreventable issues like accidents and black ice but there are a few things even the most southern southerner should know about driving in adverse winter conditions. Here are some safety tips for driving in ice and snow to keep in mind.  Decrease Your Speed No, really, decrease your speed. All too many drivers assume if the road looks clear, it is. Unfortunately, black ice is hard to spot and even the slushiest snow can cause hazards if you're driving too fast. Get off the phone, turn off the radio, and pay extra-close attention when you're driving in winter weather. Also, keep both hands on the wheel at all time. Know How to Brake Braking is the number...