Surviving 10 Driving Emergencies

"Normal," everyday driving can be challenging enough. But when it comes right down to it, obtaining a license to drive is often all too easy. Motorists are not usually well-trained—and not commonly required by licensing authorities to demonstrate—how to handle road emergencies and other extreme driving situations. The first time that many drivers are asked to employ accident-avoidance skills, lives may be on the line. And without the proper knowledge and practice, the odds of successfully executing an extreme maneuver are not in their favor.

Edmunds.com presents a extremely helpful article that describes how to handle and survive ten common driving emergencies. While these tips are covered in the driving safety courses that you present, here's another look at some situations many motorists are likely to face over the course of their driving careers. Take a look to make sure you're providing your students with the correct information. And share with your customers via social media if you're marketing to them that way (and you should be!!!).

As importantly, encourage your students to get some advanced driving training and/or to practice these maneuvers in a safe environment so they'll know how to respond—and do so reflexively—should the need arise. Their lives and the lives of their passengers may depend on it!

Traffic Fatalities Up in 2015

CNN reports that new data point to an estimated 14% jump in U.S. traffic fatalities this year, putting 2015 on pace to be the deadliest for motorists since 2007. There were more than 18,600 motor vehicle deaths from January through June this year, compared to 16,400 deaths in the same period of 2014.

The estimated cost of the deaths, injuries, and property damage related to those crashes rings in at $152 billion—up 24% from the same period of 2014. Those costs account for wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, employer costs, and property damage.

The report attributes the uptick primarily to:

• Americans are driving more because of…
• lower fuel prices.
• increased employment levels.
• Drivers are more distracted behind the wheel thanks to their phones, despite the fact that most states ban texting while driving.

Traffic Safety Classes Help Save Lives

Whatever the cause, the loss of life and property are tragic. Sadder still is that many crashes are avoidable with good, defensive driving. Be proud of being a traffic safety education provider, as you're literally saving lives with the work that you do!

And make sure that the public knows you're out there and can help. Most traffic school students complete a course to remove a citation from their driving record or to get a discount on their automobile insurance premiums. Instead, they could avoid citations and premium increases—and substantially increase their odds of staying safe and sound!—by keeping up with traffic laws and safe-driving techniques. Many motorists never receive further instruction in safe motor vehicle operation after they finish driver education/training, but occasional, continued coaching could help them to be far better drivers!