Make Sure You're Mobile-Friendly

Are you leaving money on the table because your outdated technology isn't optimized for today's consumers? Just 51% of small businesses have websites. And while four out of five consumers use a smartphone to shop, a recent survey found that over 93% of small business websites aren't compatible with mobile devices.

TSC Has You Covered

If you've taken advantage of the Web design services of Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) you're ready for the future! TSC provides our affiliated partners with sites—including the "front end" and the educational content presentation—that are engineered to be mobile-friendly. Our Web- and curriculum development teams deploy state-of-the-art Internet technologies to ensure that you and your students enjoy the best online experience possible.

If You're Providing Your Own Website...

Driving schools and traffic schools who have developed their own websites could be missing out if the site isn't optimized for the mobile era! Nearly half of mobile consumers won't return to a site that doesn't load properly. And Google recently began expanding their use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal.

If you haven't yet taken steps to ensure that your customers are having a good mobile experience, consider these points:

• Is your site easy to read on a mobile device? If your users have to pinch-to-zoom to read your content, your site isn't mobile-friendly.
• Is your site easy to navigate? Navigation should be intuitive and smooth. Thirty percent of mobile shoppers will leave a site and go to a competitor's if they have a bad experience.
• Is your site designed to be responsive? This means the code will adjust the presentation according to the screen size of the user—whether they are on a desktop, tablet, or phone.
• Does your site load quickly? As with 0-to-60 and quarter-mile runs, every second counts. Users will become frustrated—and leave for a better site—if they have to wait a long time for your pages to load.

If you don't know if your site is ready for mobile users, consider taking Google's mobile-friendly test. Google will grade your site by looking at how "Googlebot" sees your home page, and a good score means your site is ready to go!

The Bottom Line

Today's shoppers are using mobile devices to search for products and services, and the next generation of consumers is even more dependent on these technologies. Make sure your business gets found and that your site makes it easy for visitors to get what they need!

Important Reminder: Changes in CA Booklet Administration

This post details changes to traffic violator school (TVS) administrative procedures. Please read it carefully. Schools are responsible for implementing these changes, effective April 4, 2016, and may be subject to regulatory actions for failing to comply.

New Regulatory Requirements

Under new regulator-imposed requirements, TVS students completing a booklet-based home study program will be required to pass (rather than merely complete) the "Participation Questions" portion of their student materials. This is intended to fulfill the regulatory mandate for "procedures used as an equivalent to the classroom requirement for student participation" (California Code of Regulations (CCR) §345.30(e)(2), §345.31(f)(3)(B). Consequently, booklet students, going forward, will be required to correctly answer at least 70% (16 of the cumulative 22) of the participation questions before their final exam may be graded. Further, regulators have determined that TVSs must actively present students with feedback on the final examination (CCR §345.30(d)(1)(J)), rather than merely passively addressing student queries about the final exam questions that they might have missed.

TSC's Simple Solution

As your TVS curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has made these compulsory changes easy to address with an update the CA Course Provider Administration website.

Administering the Participation Questions

TVS personnel administering book students will have to grade each student's Participation Questions response form and, if a student gets a passing score, check the box in the student's record in the CA Course Provider database to indicate that. The system will not allow a student's final exam to be scored until that student has achieved a passing score on their participation questions. Students who fail to achieve a passing score on their participation questions must have their student materials returned to them so they can correct any wrong answers they provided. Students should return corrected answer sheets to the school so the participation questions can be graded again.

Providing Reasoning and the Correct Answer on the Final Exam

Administrative personnel must also enter students' answers to the final exam questions. The computer will score the students' test and will automatically generate and send an email to the student specifying: the question(s) that student answered incorrectly, the incorrect answer given, the correct answer, and the reasoning behind the correct answer. If a student did not provide your school with an email address, this information must be sent to the student's mailing address.

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TSC representatives will be contacting schools to explain the administrative website updates and provide training on the new procedures.

New sample instruction sheets (the first page of the student forms sent to booklet students), in English and Spanish versions, are available for download from the CA Course Provide Administrative website booklet materials download page (must be logged in).

Please inform all administrative staff working for your school of these procedural changes and ensure that they are properly trained to distribute the new instruction sheets and use the new functionality on the CA Course Provider Administration website. Schools are responsible for these changes, effective April 4, 2016.

If you have any further questions about this mandatory administrative procedural change, please feel free to contact your TSC representatives.

Changes in CA Booklet Administration

This post details changes to traffic violator school (TVS) administrative procedures. Please read it carefully. Schools are responsible for implementing these changes, effective April 4, 2016, and may be subject to regulatory actions for failing to comply.

New Regulatory Requirements

Under new regulator-imposed requirements, TVS students completing a booklet-based home study program will be required to pass (rather than merely complete) the "Participation Questions" portion of their student materials. This is intended to fulfill the regulatory mandate for "procedures used as an equivalent to the classroom requirement for student participation" (California Code of Regulations (CCR) §345.30(e)(2), §345.31(f)(3)(B). Consequently, booklet students, going forward, will be required to correctly answer at least 70% (16 of the cumulative 22) of the participation questions before their final exam may be graded. Further, regulators have determined that TVSs must actively present students with feedback on the final examination (CCR §345.30(d)(1)(J)), rather than merely passively addressing student queries about the final exam questions that they might have missed.

TSC's Simple Solution

As your TVS curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has made these compulsory changes easy to address with an update the CA Course Provider Administration website.

Administering the Participation Questions

TVS personnel administering book students will have to grade each student's Participation Questions response form and, if a student gets a passing score, check the box in the student's record in the CA Course Provider database to indicate that. The system will not allow a student's final exam to be scored until that student has achieved a passing score on their participation questions. Students who fail to achieve a passing score on their participation questions must have their student materials returned to them so they can correct any wrong answers they provided. Students should return corrected answer sheets to the school so the participation questions can be graded again.

Providing Reasoning and the Correct Answer on the Final Exam

Administrative personnel must also enter students' answers to the final exam questions. The computer will score the students' test and will automatically generate and send an email to the student specifying: the question(s) that student answered incorrectly, the incorrect answer given, the correct answer, and the reasoning behind the correct answer. If a student did not provide your school with an email address, this information must be sent to the student's mailing address.

---

TSC representatives will be contacting schools to explain the administrative website updates and provide training on the new procedures.

New sample instruction sheets (the first page of the student forms sent to booklet students), in English and Spanish versions, are available for download from the CA Course Provide Administrative website booklet materials download page (must be logged in).

Please inform all administrative staff working for your school of these procedural changes and ensure that they are properly trained to distribute the new instruction sheets and use the new functionality on the CA Course Provider Administration website. Schools are responsible for these changes, effective April 4, 2016.

If you have any further questions about this mandatory administrative procedural change, please feel free to contact your TSC representatives.

Magic Marketing Words!

We all know that language can influence emotions and persuade action. But unless you're a professional copywriter—or at least an amateur wordsmith—it can be tough to know how to get started. Different motivating words and phrases work better in different situations, of course, but the following article from marketing services provider Vertical Response offers some helpful hints. Check it out and get your marketing efforts off to a successful start!

The 30 Magic Marketing Words You Should Be Using

New California Laws for 2016

A new year brings new traffic laws to California. Several new laws will take effect in 2016. As a provider of traffic violator school (TVS) instruction, you should familiarize yourself with these changes so you can provide proper education and assistance to your students.

Internet Curriculum Update

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has already updated the Internet-based curriculum, and your students are using it now. No further action is required for this modality.

Booklet Curriculum Update

Those of you who are offering the home study booklet must ensure that you are providing students with updated curriculum materials. Download from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) the latest final exam forms and answer keys, available now, and begin using those immediately.

The copyright notice is at the
bottom of the Table of Contents page.

The next order of books that you receive from TSC will be the latest edition. You may continue to use "old" booklets from your inventory. However, if the bottom of the Table of Contents page of a book that you are sending to a student does not have a 2016 copyright (see example picture), you must include a "booklet insert" (available for download from the CA Course Provider Administration website) in the packet.

Make sure that you ship the latest versions of the home study booklet (or include an insert) and testing materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

Classroom Curriculum

Those of you who are delivering classroom instruction must ensure that you are teaching students the updated curriculum. Download the electronic files from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) for the latest Lesson Plan updates (normally we would provide the modified pages only, but this year's update includes the complete Lesson Plan due to substantial repagination), Safe Driving Journal (student and instructor versions), and final exam forms/answer keys. The files are available now, and you should begin using the updated materials immediately.

Make sure that you and/or any instructors you employ are explaining the new laws to students and distributing the latest versions of the classroom materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

Internet Infrastructure Maintenance

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has been informed by our Web server hosting provider that Internet service to their facility will be disrupted due to scheduled maintenance. The expected downtime will occur on Wednesday, February 17, from midnight to 6:00 a.m. (PT), though service may not be out for that entire duration.

This schedule maintenance will leave all of TSC's Web-based programs and services unavailable during that time. Internet-based students will not be able to access traffic school reading material or tests during that time, and your online traffic school administrative tools will likewise be inaccessible. No changes are being made directly to TSC's hardware or software systems, and full functionality should return immediately once Internet access to the facility is restored.

TSC's IT team is working to present a notification banner that will display for students of our Internet-based programs warning them of the system downtime. This banner will display to students accessing Internet-based programs for a few days prior to the event.

No action is required on your part. TSC is simply informing you as a courtesy and so you can offer an explanation in the unlikely event that a student should affected.

Help Your Car to See in the Winter

Hazardous Conditions: Winter Driving

Driving in winter weather is challenging. Traction can be limited, and snowy conditions reduce all drivers' ability to see. Drivers should remove snow and ice from their windows and lights before departing, and it's helpful to see that the windshield wipers (including the washer fluid) and defroster are well maintained. They should also kick snow from their footwear (so their foot doesn't slip off of the pedals while driving) and activate the low beam headlights.

With today's high-tech vehicles, however, it's important not just to ensure your own visibility. These days, the car can do some of the driving, and it's critical that the vehicle be able to "see" as well. An increasing number of vehicles are equipped with driver's aids such as  lane departure warning systems, crash avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control, emergency brake assist, and more. These systems use cameras, sensors, radar, and ultrasound (or some combination thereof) to do what they do, and a thick coat of ice, snow, and/or grime can significantly hamper their effectiveness.

When discussing hazardous driving conditions with students, remind them:

Keep Your Car Clean So It Can "See"

In addition to all windows and lamp lenses, don't forget to clear obstructions from the following sensors (if your vehicle is so-equipped):

• lane departure camera system
• adaptive cruise control radar window
• blind spot monitor cameras/sensors
• 360° view side cameras
• rearview camera
• ultrasonic parking assist sensors

Common Locations of Sensors

Some of these sensors are less sensitive to being blocked by ice or snow. The radar window and the bumper-mounted ultrasonic sensors should be more tolerant of obstructions, though their effectiveness can be impaired by ice or snow or dirt, so you may as well get them clear if you can. Other systems, like lane departure and some forms of adaptive cruise control and emergency brake assist are camera-dependent, and those cameras are just like your eyes—they can't see through snow and ice. If you don't clean these sensors well, not only will they not work, but they may drive you crazy with false alerts.

A little extra effort before you slide behind the wheel can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your safety systems. Help them to help you, and stay safe when driving in winter weather.

Guerilla Marketing Techniques for 2016

It's rare for smaller businesses to have a large marketing budget. Marketing remains a critical part of an overall business strategy, however. Without making people aware of your business, you won't make sales. It's that simple!

Put gorilla guerilla marketing techniques
to good use and boost your business!

To successfully tackle marketing on a small scale, creativity is the key. This means guerilla marketing tactics that are often unconventional and outside-of-the-box. The term guerilla marketing was first coined by Jay Conrad Levinson who wrote a book by the same name. His book instructed businesses to capture the attention and imagination of their audiences using unusual tactics such as street promotions, giveaways, games, and contests.

Interestingly, taking a guerilla marketing approach actually has some distinct advantages. Not only is it typically very cost-effective, it also means using strategies and tactics that are often impossible for larger businesses to pull off. Smaller often translates into being more nimble when it comes to marketing, and this can be a distinct advantage.

Check out the guerilla marketing tips below to get your business swingin':

• Social Media: Social media connect billions of people around the world through a series of status updates, tweets, and other rich media. And in the business world, it's a powerful tool for attracting prospects and upping your customer service game. If you haven't jumped on this bandwagon, it's definitely time to do so.
• First, get on Facebook. Invite your friends and family to like the page and then use those numbers as leverage to gain some credibility with outsiders.
• Then, join Twitter and follow, follow, follow. Use the search feature to find people within your niche and tweet at them, making pleasant but relevant conversation.
• Once you have these outlets, push as much rich media out as you can, whether it's photos of where you work, videos of a typical day on the job, or witty tweets and status updates. On a related note…
• Produce a Viral Video: Social media success can be taken to a whole new level with the addition of video. A video on YouTube can go viral in a matter of days if it's compelling enough. This is an incredibly powerful form of marketing that can literally create a valuable minute of fame for your business. With something moving, funny, undeniably interesting, a video shared on YouTube can travel to Twitter and Facebook like wildfire. This form of guerilla marketing for small businesses isn't for everyone, but if you have a great idea, it's worth giving it a shot.
• Start a Friendly Fight: A friendly fight is when you and another company battle it out through the use of social networking and/or other media by having the public vote on who has the better product(s) or service(s). This won't harm your business; however, it would help people to cast their vote judiciously.
• Create "Billboard" Opportunities: Why not slap your logo on a shirt or hat for your friends, family, and employees to wear? Of course, you should be wearing your garb, too. Shirts and caps are inexpensive and can generate buzz in the grocery store, on the street, or at an industry function or trade show. Take this concept a step further, and consider magnetic signs or bumper stickers for your vehicle or even a total promotional wrap. The more people who see your information, the better!
• Postering Still Works: Postering has been around for a while now, but it's picked up steam again, thanks to a lot of clever posters. A good way to implement this strategy is to have a question on your poster that just about everyone in your target audience will understand. Then, you either need to make them laugh or want to take the time to get the "help" they need by calling the number or going to the web address that is printed on the poster.

Want some more ideas? Check out these real-world examples of great guerilla marketing!

With a little luck, these guerilla marketing techniques just might deliver results to pound your chest over!

New Michigan Law for 2015

Michigan's Driver Responsibility Fee Program will officially end in October 2019 under a new law that gradually steps down Driver Responsibility Fees over the next few years.

Only the Driver Responsibility Fees for points or citations issued on or after October 1, 2015, will be reduced, and the amount of the rate reduction will depend upon the year in which the qualifying ticket was issued or points were accumulated.

For complete information, visit the Department of State (DoS) web page for Driver Responsibility, and especially this publication (PDF) from the DoS.

Winter Driving Tips

Driving in severe weather can be physically and emotionally trying as well as dangerous. If the conditions are too treacherous, it's far better to postpone the trip, if possible. Motor vehicles can easily handle less severe wintry conditions, however, as long as drivers slow down and proceed with caution.

Remind your students of these tips for handling winter weather driving:

General Tips for Winter Driving

The following tips are good general advice for handling winter driving conditions. In fact, some of them are good advice year-round!

• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage, where carbon monoxide and other dangerous exhaust gasses can accumulate. (In fact…modern engine control computers allow vehicles to run amazingly well even when cold, and idling a vehicle for 20 minutes accomplishes very little beyond converting fuel into pollution. A short warm-up of 30 seconds or so may be a good idea; perhaps even a minute or two if it's really cold.)
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet roads, snow, ice, sand).
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle!
• Avoid driving while you're tired. Stay generally well rested before operating a motor vehicle and, if fatigue sets in while you're on the road, pull over in a safe place and take a break (even a nap) before resuming travel.

Tips for Winter Road Trips

Remind students who are planning long-distance trips in winter weather:

• Check weather reports prior to a long-distance trip or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination, and estimated time of arrival.
• Make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected at a reliable repair facility.
• Pack a smartphone, blankets, gloves, hats, food, water, and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
• If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle! It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don't overexert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe remains clear of snow, ice, and mud. A blocked exhaust system could cause deadly carbon monoxide to leak into the passenger compartment when the engine is running.

Tips for Driving in the Snow

If a vehicle must be operated on snowy or icy roads:

• Drive slowly. Give yourself time to maneuver on slippery surfaces.
• Accelerate and decelerate smoothly and gently. Don't accelerate aggressively, and take time to slow down/stop for traffic controls and road hazards.
• Increase your following distance, beyond the normal three-second spacing, to up to eight or even ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes.
• Always apply firm, steady pressure when stopping a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes.
• If you're vehicle lacks anti-lock brakes, the best way to stop is threshold braking: Keep your heel on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply pressure on the brake pedal just shy of the point where the wheels lock up.
• Don't try to power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don't stop going up a hill. Traction limitations could make it very difficult—if not impossible—to get the vehicle rolling (uphill) again.
• Stay home. If you don't really have to go out…don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can!