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National Distracted Driving Month

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Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Awareness Month 

 

Stop distracted driving

From the moment, we wake up to the alarm on our phones we are bombarded by a world run on technology. We spend the day walking around with our head in our phones, laptops, and iPads.

We check the news (obsessively), update our social media profiles (so that people are aware that we had a turkey sandwich with a pesto spread for lunch), we snapchat our friends about the fact that it’s snowing (like they can’t see that themselves), we shop online for the perfect-unnecessary pair of legwarmers (which we’ll never wear), and call and text our family and friends for no good reasons at all.

Take back your time

The one thing missing from this is the time we spend driving. People forget how nice it feels to detach from the constant stream of information that technology gives us each day. Many forget how refreshing it is not hearing the constant “ding” of their phones for a while. Time spent driving is the best, and safest, way to give yourself a few minutes a day of peace from the outside world. This is your chance to sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs and reflect on your day, but more importantly, this is the time to avoid getting yourself, and others injured or worse.

April is National Distracted Driver’s month and we would like to educate you with a few pointers on how to be a safe driver by avoiding the following distractions:

Emails

That last minute email you HAVE to send can wait while you drive home, or, if the email just can’t wait, pull over in a safe place for the 4 minutes it’ll take you to send it and help make the roads a little bit safer for all who travel on them.

Stop lights

One misconception about texting and driving is that there is a right time to do it, at a red light. If you are in your car… you are still driving. This counts as distracted driving. Perhaps the person behind you is only looking at the light and not the car in front them (you). While you are idly checking your messages with your head down, the car behind you only saw green and has now rear-ended you. Ruining both of your days and causing possible injuries. Say the person behind you was also uninsured? Maybe even left the scene. Now your day is ruined and your insurance payments go up. Not to mention possible medical bills.

What is more important?

Watching for brake lights or Facebook? A pedestrian or a text message? Telephone poles or phone calls? Know your priorities every time you get into your car.

Not just your safety

When you text and drive you are telling other drivers that you don’t care about their safety. Just like you, while driving distracted and putting your faith in other drivers to keep you safe, they may be doing the same thing. Two wrongs don’t make a right, they make fatal crashes happen. Never assume other drivers are watching out for you. It’s always safer to assume that they are hoping you are watching out for them.

Dashboard technology

Many cars these days have built-in dashboard technology. They have the ability to help us get to our destination, make hands-free phone calls, and navigate the radio without taking our eyes off the road. But this is more distracting than your think. More than 30 studies show hands-free devices don’t make drivers any safer – the brain still remains distracted by the conversation. If you have the ability to program your dashboard, do so before you start driving. This will help keep your attention where it belongs.

Multitasking

We’ve all seen the girl putting on her makeup in her rear-view mirror while talking on the phone. Or the guy who somehow thinks that eating a bowl of soup, while driving with his knee, on the freeway is a good idea. Multitasking is a myth when it comes to driving. Driving is a full-time attention hog. Phones, food, pets on laps, all things that cause crashes from a lack of concentration on the road.

Bottom line is that while you are maneuvering a vehicle out on the roads, you are not only in charge of your own safety, but you hold the safety of other drivers in your hands as well. The amount of fatal car crashes in the U.S. would significantly go down if everyone followed these rules. Remember that a text can wait, your mascara can be put on once your vehicle has completely stopped, and don’t eat soup in the car

Be a part of the solution.

Currently operating in 5 states with a 50 state online presence, 911 Driving Schools’ potential has been demonstrated by our loyal following. Our student base is rapidly expanding and has recently reached over 100,000 successfully trained students nationwide. With new schools available, here’s the opportunity to set your course for success.
http://911drivingschool.com/franchise/

Why Teens Delay Getting Their Driver’s License in Washington

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Teen Driver

Teen Driving in Washington

Young teens, all over the world, long for the day when they can finally get their driver’s license. That glorious moment of teenage freedom, when they can drive a car full of friends, windows down, wind in their hair, sun on their face while singing along to their favorite band.

You might think that the masses of Washington teens would be no different, but the number of new drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 who are getting their license has dropped since 2004. More and more teens are waiting to get behind the wheel until the age of 18 or even 21.

According to The Seattle Times and the Department of Licensing, “Those are some of the riskiest driver on the road.”

Why the delay?

The biggest reason teens are waiting to get a driver’s license is due to the fact that, in 2012, the Seattle Public Schools stopped offering driver’s ed programs. And by 2013, 88% of students took driver’s ed classes at a private facility.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety did a survey on more than a thousand potential drivers between the ages of 18 and 21. Out of that group, the majority said they didn’t get their license at a younger age because “they didn’t have a car.” The second largest number said they “just didn’t get around to it.” The third largest percent of teens said “the cost of gas was too expensive.”

The costs of private driving schools can be out of the financial range for many families. Without the option of classes being offered in public schools, money can play a major role in when and how teenagers receive the proper education to receive their driver’s license.

The problem with waiting to get licensed

On average, the collected data of citations shows that teenagers who got their license at age 18 are three times more likely to receive citations than those who received their license at age 16. This is likely because 16- and 17-year-olds must have a permit to practice and take driver’s ed before they can receive a license. But once they turn 18, they simply have to pass the knowledge and in-person driving test.

In other words, the people who have waited to get their license, for whatever reason, are hitting the road without adequate practice and experience, making them some of the riskiest drivers behind the wheel.

Why driving education matters

A study done in Nebraska tracked 150,000 teenage drivers over the course of eight years. The results showed that those who never participated in driver’s ed classes were 24 percent more likely to die in a fatal accident.Not to fret. Even though public schools no longer offer drivers ed classes, the private classes of Washington are the best of the best.There are several to choose from, which offer skillful practice and education to make sure their students are safe behind the wheel. There are even schools, such as

There are several to choose from, which offer skillful practice and education to make sure their students are safe behind the wheel. There are even schools, such as 911 Driving School, who employ trained police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel to teach teenagers, or anyone for that matter, to navigate the ways of the road.

Speaking of the law

The lawmakers in Washington attempted to address this problem by creating a class specifically to educate the 18 – 21 year-olds who haven’t become licensed. A bill was introduced that would require those drivers to take up to 10 hours of practical driving lessons. Unfortunately, the bill never passed the Senate, but they continue to fight for the proper education of teenage drivers.

Having the right tools stored in your brain while you navigate a vehicle can be the difference between life or death. Driving is a risk that we all take, but with the right education, it can make the roads a little bit safer for all those behind the wheel.

Being part of the solution

911 Driving School provides the kind of education that new drivers need before they get out on the road and face a range of potentially stressful and risky situations. In order to reach as many students as possible, this school is also a great franchise opportunity. We’ve successfully trained more than 100,000 students in many different states, and helped many new business owners become an important part of the solution

What to do after a car crash?

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Tips for after a car crash

What do I do after a crash?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 32, 000 people died in traffic crashes in 2014.

Even after driving lessons and focused, proactive driving, a crash can happen. It is important to be ready for such an occurrence so you can keep yourself and others safe from further harm. Here are a few steps to take if involved in an accident:

Stay calm

Stay calm and make sure that everyone in the car is okay. Staying calm is important because erratic behavior can cause more damage to you, others or your vehicle. Have confidence that things will be okay. Be sure to turn on flashers and move your car to a safe location if safe to do so.

Make safety you first priority

If you cannot get out of the car or if someone is seriously hurt, be sure to keep your seat belt fastened and call 911. If the accident is not serious, turn on the emergency flashers as you get out of the car and assess the damage. If you feel unsafe, you can call 911 and ask for an officer to assist at the crash site.

Get the correct information

Ask for the driver’s license and insurance information from the other driver involved in the accident. Take down the name, address, phone number of the other driver and any passengers in their car and yours. If possible, take a picture of the other Drivers license, insurance card, and their vehicle license plate. This will ensure you can contact the person if there are any problems with your car or your health due to the crash. Take pictures of the damage and send them to your insurance agent— they can help you know what to do next.

After you assess damage and contact the police, take your car to a mechanic to get your car checked. This can save you money by detecting problems that you cannot see. So, remember to stay safe, call the right authorities and get the correct information at the crash site.

Also, remember that proactive driving can keep you from getting into a crash.  Find out more about our defensive driving courses at 911 Driving School.

What to do after a car crash?

Driving Safety

Tips for after a car crash

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 32,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2014.

Even after driving lessons and focused, proactive driving, a crash can happen. It is important to be ready for such an occurrence so you can keep yourself and others safe from further harm. Here are a few steps to take if involved in an accident:

Stay calm

Stay calm and make sure that everyone in the car is okay. Staying calm is important because erratic behavior can cause more damage to you, others or your vehicle. Have confidence that things will be okay. Be sure to turn on flashers and move your car to a safe location if safe to do so.

Make safety you first priority

If you cannot get out of the car or if someone is seriously hurt, be sure to keep your seat belt fastened and call 911. If the accident is not serious, turn on the emergency flashers as you get out of the car and assess the damage. If you feel unsafe, you can call 911 and ask for an officer to assist at the crash site.

Get the correct information

Ask for the driver’s license and insurance information from the other driver involved in the accident. Take down the name, address, phone number of the other driver and any passengers in their car and yours. If possible, take a picture of the other Drivers license, insurance card, and their vehicle license plate. This will ensure you can contact the person if there are any problems with your car or your health due to the crash. Take pictures of the damage and send them to your insurance agent— they can help you know what to do next.

After you assess damage and contact the police, take your car to a mechanic to get your car checked. This can save you money by detecting problems that you cannot see. So, remember to stay safe, call the right authorities and get the correct information at the crash site.

Also, remember that proactive driving can keep you from getting into a crash.  Find out more about our defensive driving courses at 911 Driving School.