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Defensive Driving
OHIO DEFENSIVE DRIVING ONLINE SPONSORThe successful completion of an approved defensive driving course, also known by many people as traffic school, could be a way to prevent traffic violations from damaging your driving record. Taking a defensive driving course can teach you driving techniques that may just help you avoid a dangerous driving situation, and it increases your awareness of road safety overall. Whenever you are enrolling in defensive driving classes in the hopes of getting traffic violation points dismissed, be sure to check with the courts prior to enrolling to verify that the course is Ohio state approved.
- What is Defensive Driving?
- Defensive Driving Techniques
Page OverviewTop What is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving means always trying to anticipate what may happen next, and being prepared to take action to avoid danger. To successfully do this, you must constantly monitor what is happening on the road, and plan ahead.
Defensive Driving Class
In accordance with National Safety Council guidelines, the Ohio Department of Transportation offers Defensive Driving classes, which they encourage retirees, companies, and individuals to attend. A minimum of 15 people are needed, and the cost is $30. You may also take it online for $30. The course lasts four hours. Taking the course will not only result in better driving, it may result in lower insurance rates.
Top Defensive Driving Techniques
Even if you can't get to a defensive driving class, try reviewing these safety tips:
- Always have an escape route in mind. Continually be aware of the space around you.
- Attempt to keep a safe distance from the vehicles around you.
- Scan the path ahead of you at least 12-15 seconds. Don't just focus on the space immediately ahead of your vehicle.
- Look in every direction before crossing an intersection, even when you have the right-of-way.
- Exercise increased caution anytime you have a limited field of vision, such as when approaching the top of a hill.
- Be aware of school buses, ice-cream trucks, mail trucks, and delivery trucks. Each represents an increased chance that someone may be leaving or entering a vehicle, and possibly creating a safety hazard.
- Be especially vigilant in construction zones and around emergency scenes, as other drivers may be distracted and not properly focused on their driving in these areas.
- Slow down when around erratic or dangerous drivers, as they increase the likelihood that an accident will happen.
- Cover the brakes and exercise increased caution in areas such as shopping centers, school zones, toll plazas, playgrounds, and intersections.
- Automatically reduce speed when conditions warrant it, such as when driving in rain, snow, fog, or on icy roads. Be proactive, and realize that it's not safe to drive at the posted speed limit in all situations.
- Be especially careful when around parked cars, as someone could dash out from between the cars. Also, drivers may be opening a car door, or trying to pull out of a parking space directly into your line of travel.
- Exercise increased caution when driving on roads that are very wet or slushy as other motorists could splash your windshield, leaving you unable to see for an instant.
- Be wary of drivers with out-of-state plates or rental cars, as well as drivers who have a map out or their interior lights on. All point to drivers who may not be familiar with the area, and thus may be confused or distracted.
- Look out for drivers backing up into the road from a driveway or parking lot, as these drivers may have a limited field of vision.
- Watch out for slippery conditions during the first several minutes after it begins to rain, as the rain will mix with the oily residue on the road surface.
- Anticipate the worst moves that drivers around you could make, and know how to safely react to each move.
- Try to keep your vehicle as visible as possible to other drivers, and whenever you can, stay out of other drivers' blind spots.
- Keep a safe distance, whenever possible, behind trucks with cargo that could easily spill onto the road. These vehicles could send debris flying into your line of travel, or into the path of those around you.
- Stay well behind a vehicle with an accumulation of snow on its roof, as this situation can create instant white-out conditions for anyone unlucky enough to be driving behind the vehicle.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
Is parallel parking on the driving test?
Parallel parking involves performing an S-shaped turn in reverse to park parallel to the curb. For the majority of new drivers, this is one of the hardest skills to master. If you're struggling to get the hang of how to parallel park, you may find yourself wondering if this is a mandatory component of the driving test. In most cases, a driving test will last between 15 and 30 minutes. The examiner won't ask you to do anything illegal or try to trick you during the road test. The goal is to see if you can operate your vehicle safely under typical driving conditions. The driving test typically includes: Left and right turns Backing Changing lanes Stops at controlled and uncontrolled intersections Driving in regular street traffic Yielding to right of way Stopping at appropriate signs Defensive driving Parallel parking may or may not be on your driving test, depending upon where you live and the discretion of the driver's license examiner. If you live in an area where drivers general...
Read more >>How can I reduce speeding ticket points?
Visit your state's DMV Web site to find out if speeding ticket points can be reduced. Normally you can find this information under points or suspended licenses or even traffic ticket. Most states that offer a reduction option require proof of enrollment in a traffic school. Before enrolling, make sure the school is state-approved. Otherwise, your completion certificate will not be recognized. If you're lucky, for convenience sake, you'll be allowed to enroll in an online course. You'll be taught everything you learned in drivers ed, but with more emphasis on safety and defensive driving. And though you'll be required to pay for tuition fees, you'll be better off in the long run.Points trimmed from a speeding citation may possibly prevent your insurance rates from spiking. And, depending on your current driving record standing, spare you from a suspended drivers license.
Read more >>Is a Spanish practice test available?
Taking a knowledge test in order to earn your drivers license can be a stressful experience, especially if your native language is not English. However, many states are becoming more aware of the needs of their diverse populations. Oregon, for example, offers driver's license tests in English, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Russian. This makes it possible for residents to focus on demonstrating their knowledge of driving safety instead of trying to decode the subtleties of a secondary language. If you need to find a Spanish practice test to help you prepare for your driver's license exam, your first stop should be your local DMV office or the state DMV Web site. If your state offers a downloadable driver's license manual in Spanish, this should include some practice questions to help you evaluate your knowledge of topics such as road signs, defensive driving, and operating a vehicle under adverse weather conditions. Some states put practice test questions on their DMV We...
Read more >>Where can I take a DMV defensive driving course?
Depending on where you live, you might have many choices - or just a few. To find out, simply do an online search for DMV defensive driving courses. Include the name of your town - or at least your state - to narrow the search results. Of course, you can always consult the trusty yellow pages of your phone book. Look under "driving schools" or "driving classes".Taking a defensive driving class can have numerous benefits. For starters, it could reduce the number of points on your driving record. Just order a copy of your record online to find out how many points you have, and then ask your DMV if completing a class could remove some of these points. However, be sure to take a class from a DMV-approved provider. Your state's drivers license agency site should contain a list of these companies, but if not, you can call or stop by your local branch to find out.But, passing a defensive driving class could also mean a reduction in your insurance premiums. And, most imp...
Read more >>Is there any obligation when obtaining car insurance quotes?
Absolutely not.And, don't ever feel pressured to accept an offer from an insurer or an agent just because you were given a car insurance quotes. This applies to phone conversations, in-person meetings, or even after receiving a quote online. When it comes to insurance, it's smart to shop around to not only find the best price but the right coverage.As part of your research, you should check to see if taking a defensive driving course can reduce the number of points on your license, or get you a more favorable quote. In many cases, it will. Of course, your next step would be to see which companies in your area offer these courses, and how much they cost. Remember, by taking a course, you may not only help yourself financially through reduced auto insurance premiums, but be making yourself a safer driver. And, you can't put a price tag on that.
Read more >>
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