Taking a defensive driving class like the one offered by DrivingUniversity.com can help
you get out of a ticket. However, keep in mind that this is not the
sole reason you should want to take the class. If you were given a
ticket, chances are that your driving skills and understanding of the
law are a bit rusty. By learning some defensive driving techniques, you
can avoid future tickets and help make Arizona’s roads safer. Here’s an
example of some of the things you’ll learn at defensive driving
school.
The Arizona Points System
In Arizona, you can get your permit when you’re 15 years old, and
after at least 5 months and 25 hours of practice, you can test to get
your license. However, if you do not follow the rules of the road in
Arizona, you license could be revoked. Driving is a privilege, not a
right, and if you gather enough points on your license, it can be
revoked.
What are points? These are numbers assigned to your license and present
on your driving record. When you reach eight points within a 12-month
period, your license could be revoked or, if you’re lucky, you’ll be
required to attend Traffic Survival School. Different offenses come
with different points, depending on the severity. Some of the most
common include the following:
- Reckless driving or racing – 8 points
- Aggressive driving – 8 points
- Causing a death or serious injury – 6 points
Most other moving violations are two points, but as you can see, it
doesn’t take long for points to add up if you aren’t a safe driver.
Defensive driving school can get you out of one ticket every two years
in some cases, but your goal at traffic school should be learning about
driving safety so that you don’t accumulate more points.
Safe Driving in Every Condition
Driving safety starts with learning how to drive well, no matter
what the road’s conditions. In some case, this might mean staying off
the road altogether or, if you are already on the road, pulling to the
side until the condition clears. Here are some of the most common
adverse driving conditions in Arizona and how to drive safely in
them:
- Fog: It gets foggy in Arizona when the weather is humid and cool.
Often, this occurs at night, making conditions even more dangerous.
Your top priority in fog is to be visible to other driver. Flip on your
fog lights, reduce your speed, and keep moving to avoid being
rear-ended.
- Rain: Luckily, Arizona drivers don’t have to deal with snow and
ice. However, rain can still make the roads slippery, especially when
it is first starts, since the water will be hitting the oil on the
roads. Slow down! Remember, the posted speed limit is a maximum for
perfect conditions. Hydroplaning and skidding are common, and if this
begins to occur, don’t panic – keeping a calm head can help you get the
car safely to solid ground again.
- Mechanical Failure: Sometimes, the car itself rather than Mother
Nature causes adverse road conditions. The best way to avoid these
problems is to keep you car well maintained at all times. If you do
have a problem, stay calm and pull to the side of the road as soon as
possible so you can fix the problem or call for help.
Driving Rules and Regulations
Driving laws aren’t just guidelines that you should use; they are
laws that you must use. When learning about defensive driving, it is
important to understand the rules of the road, because breaking them
could mean that you cause an accident or get a ticket. Driving safety
is all about following the law.
One of the most common traffic infractions is speeding. Arizona is a
state that has what is called a “Basic Speed Law.” Simply put, you
aren’t legally allowed to drive faster than is safe, even if that means
going under the speed limit in some cases. However, it also means that
you can’t drive extremely slowly either – that can be a road hazard. If
you’re a slow driver, get into the right hand lane and if you’re
driving exceptionally slow because of car problems or other reasons,
put on your hazard lights to warn vehicles behind you.
Many drivers also get tickets for illegal lane use. To be the best
defensive driver possible, it is important to understand when passing
is approved, as well as when passing is illegal. In addition, part of
defensive driving is understanding how important it is to avoid road
rage. Often, road rage starts because an angry, stressed, or late
driver is trying to go around a slow driver who is in the left-hand
lane. Instead of succumbing to road rage yourself, which leads to
aggressive driving and accidents, try to keep a cool head, move to the
right, and ignore the other driver.
Your defensive driving course will teach you other rules of the road as
well. From red light laws to the meanings of road signs to when it is
appropriate to use your signals, the best defensive driving skills you
can learn really amount to one thing: obey the law.
Kinds of Driving
Defensive driving in Arizona is also based on what kind of driving
you’re doing. In Arizona, there are city, freeway, and rural areas, and
although the laws remain the same, you’ll find that driving safety
requires you to think about your driving in a different way.
For example, depending on where you’re driving, you have to watch out
for hazards. This varies from place to place. In the city, you’ll be
watching for pedestrians and pets, while on the highway, your main
hazards will be other drivers. In rural areas, you’ll need to be on the
lookout for wild animals and ATVs. The key is to drive the limit or
under, and to keep with the flow of traffic.
How a Defensive Driving Class can Help You
Defensive driving school isn’t just for people who have gotten
tickets. Although you might use this option if you want to avoid fines
and suspensions, anyone who wants to improve his or her driving skills
should consider taking this course. This includes new drivers,
out-of-state drivers who want to learn about Arizona driving laws, and
senior citizen drivers. Driving safety is important, and with defensive
driving class, you can make sure that you’re helping to keep Arizona’s
roads safe.
