According to DrivingLaws.org, “Traffic school is often the best option for dealing with a traffic ticket. Traffic school has an upfront cost—which can range from $10 to several hundred dollars—but it’s usually the only surefire way of keeping the violation from increasing your insurance rates. Requesting traffic school is generally quick and easy, plus most courses are outside of business hours or can be done at your convenience online. Learn what traffic school entails and why it may be your best option after a traffic violation!
Did you know that about ½ of all traffic stops with drivers end with a traffic violation ticket? 44% of the average person’s interactions in-person with a police officer will be due to a traffic violation or ticket. These tickets come most popularly from speeding, reckless driving, not using a blinker with changing lanes, tailgating and more.
Statistics show that about 41 million drivers get a traffic ticket each year in the United States. That’s about 112,000 drivers that get a ticket every single day. You don’t have to be on a big freeway to get a traffic ticket either, as many drivers are ticketed in residential areas and near schools for traffic violations. Of those many millions that get speeding tickets or tickets for other traffic violations, only about 5% will contest their ticket in traffic court if they feel it was unfair. If not, traffic school is usually the alternative to have the traffic violation removed from your record.
If you don’t contest a ticket, traffic school is a likely option. School courses can be done online or at a county location where you got your ticket. The goal of traffic school is to teach general safety and proper rules for driving so you avoid both traffic violations and hazards in the road. You may have received a traffic violation by mistake, or you didn’t know you were violating the law. Traffic school is there to teach drivers all the laws in their state and county so they can drive safely and keep others safe on the road.
Traffic school courses are only distributed through state road and traffic safety administrators such as the DMV, Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Commission and more. Traffic violations will be different for each driver. You will have some type of perk by completing your courses such as getting the traffic violation taken off of your driving record. You can also significantly reduce your ticket fine or get rid of it altogether depending on the issuer. You can also get an insurance discount if your insurance was raised due to your violation ticket, or you add points back on to your driving record. In most cases, it’s worth it to go to traffic school to have a clean driving record.
You never have to do driving school if you don’t get a ticket in the first place. Here are some tips for avoiding a traffic ticket:
If your car is not kept in good shape, or if it doesn’t have maintenance checks often enough, you could get pulled over for unsafe driving. This can happen if you have headlights or taillights out, if your windows (like your windshield) is cracked or broken, if parts are loose and hanging or more. That is why you always want to keep up on maintenance checks, oil changes and replacing car parts. Many of these auto services are quick and easy to fit into a busy schedule, and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Plus, your car will run smoother and will be safer on the road, helping you to avoid traffic problems. If you are due for a professional maintenance check or for car work, call Scott’s Fort Collins Auto at (970) 682-4202!