Traffic School Rule Change

A rule change, effective Feb. 1, 2009, eliminates the 18% reduction in civil penalties for drivers who elect to attend a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course to keep points off of their records.

Because the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) recognizes the great public safety value of having motorists attend driver safety education courses, however, Floridians can still attain several benefits by attending a BDI course:

• Points are not assessed to the driver's record, adjudication is withheld, and "safe driver" status is maintained.
• Insurance rates cannot increase and the driver's policy cannot be cancelled because of this violation, unless the violation was a result of a crash in which the driver was at fault.

Furthermore, effective Oct. 1, 2008, drivers may elect to attend a BDI course in lieu of points up to five times in a 10-year period (instead of five times in a lifetime, as was previously the case).

For further details about Florida's driver improvement program, you can refer to the DHSMV's driver improvement Web page.

Everybody Makes Mistakes

It's easy enough to do. Students can jot down the information you give them incorrectly. Or the calendar application on their smart phone could do something funky (computers!). They might even have mistakenly signed up for the wrong course. Whatever the reason, students may attend only the course that fulfills their needs—and, as an instructor, it's your job to ensure that they do.

Be aware that the DHSMV is constantly monitoring the operations of traffic safety education providers. Making sure that students have completed the correct type of course (and are issued the proper certificate) is one of their primary checks. Please be aware that an instructor may never combine two separate courses into one class—even if both sets of students show up. In the event that this happens, the instructor may teach only the class that was actually scheduled, and must send the other students away. Lesson plans are approved by the DHSMV, and must be taught as submitted; material from separate lesson plans may never be combined.

A Time for Reflection and Anticipation

Looking back on 2008, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) would like to thank you for your business. We're proud of our traffic safety education products and services, and we're glad that you've selected TSC as your provider! We'd also like to remind you of the legislative changes enacted in 2008 which affect drivers and traffic schools.

With the holidays approaching, now might be a good time to reinforce to your students the fact that drinking and driving is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous! If you want a quick refresher, check out this summary of Florida's DUI laws (en español). To avoid problems with the law, drivers should have a strategy in mind before they head out the door. (Remember that judgement is the first thing affected by alcohol consumption!) Here are some tips:

• Have a designated driver accompany you.
• Use alternative transportation (cab, bus, train, etc.). Several organizations—including AAA— offer rides to those in need on New Year's Eve.
• Call a friend for a ride home.
• Stay overnight at or near where you are consuming.
• Engage in activities that do not involve alcohol or drugs.

And peering into the future, we'd like to remind you that TSC is hard at work preparing to roll out some exciting new business opportunities in 2009. We'll be in touch, but you can always check the "TSC Affiliate News" blog for the latest updates!

TSC hopes that you take care of yourselves, and that you have a...

Keeping an Eye on Things

From time to time, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) offers hints which we hope will help our affiliates to build stronger businesses. This post is another in that on-going series.

TSC prides itself on the quality and integrity of its courses. As wise business owners, we're sure you'll agree that these attributes lead to satisfied traffic school customers. And satisfied customers lead to repeat and referral business!

One important aspect of integrity is the classroom environment offered by your traffic school. Instructors and their actions and demeanor are critical components of the classroom environment. One of the most common infractions committed by instructors is dismissing a class early. We understand that it's easy to lose track of time when the jokes start flying, but it is important that students receive the full amount of instruction time required by law.

It is essential that instructors know and observe all DHSMV rules and regulations. Violations could result in fines and other punitive actions—even the revocation of your license to offer traffic safety education courses in the state of Florida. Violations are also a breach of the affiliate contract that you signed with TSC.

TSC occassionally engages in random, undercover audits of classes that it offers. We encourage you to make use of this technique to monitor your own instructors now and then. It's an effective and easy way to protect your business, and it will offer you the opportunity to proactively mentor instructors who may be experiencing any sort of problem in the classroom.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has issued an official proclamation declaring Friday, October 10, the Eighth Annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is a national event initiated by many partner organizations who are working to lower the number of deaths that occur on our nation's roadways. The coalition's efforts to reduce fatalities address the need for improvements to our roadways, our vehicles, and basic driver behavior. Anyone willing to participate is invited to become involved with the project, and the official website includes safety tips, fact sheets, an event toolkit, and more.

As traffic safety education providers whose educational mission is to help students to become safer drivers and to save lives, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., and its affiliates are proud to do our part. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources available to you on the official Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day website. And, of course, we encourage you to stress to your students—each and every day in class—the need to drive safely and defensively. Their lives may depend on it!

A Change'll Do You Good!

As your traffic safety education curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants (TSC) strives to keep current with all legislative updates pertaining to traffic school. While the latest revision does not affect the traffic safety education curriculum, it may directly impact your business. Therefore, we wanted to make you aware of the change.

As a provider of traffic safety education, you're well aware that citizens of the State of Florida are allowed to attend a DHSMV-approved Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course for the purpose of removing points from their driving record. Under previous law, drivers could attend no more than once per year, and no more than five times in their lifetime. A modification to Florida Statute 318.14(9) allows motorists the opportunity to attend a BDI course no more than five times in a ten-year period. (The once-per-year limitation still stands.)

In a perfect world, traffic school would be completely unnecessary. And, naturally, we always hope that our message of safe, defensive driving sticks with each and every one of our students. However, the fact is that people occasionally make mistakes and we will get some repeat business. This legislative update makes it easier for Floridians to attend traffic school and improve their driving techniques!

New Products Arrive with "Direct Deposit"

Exciting New Courses

Traffic Safety Consultants is in the process of transitioning its product line to courses that we have developed in-house. TSC is pleased to now offer:

• 8-Hour Intermediate Course - Internet
• 8-Hour Intermediate Course - classroom
• 8-Hour Aggressive Course - classroom
• First Time Driver (TLSAE) Course - classroom

If you are not already registered to offer these expertly designed new courses, contact TSC's Director of Affiliate Programs Gloria Verver at 1-800-252-9488 or via email at gloria@trafficeducation.net.

IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL CHANGE:

Of course, change begets change. If you've been offering the old 8-Hour Intermediate - Internet course (TSC's resell of ASC's course), there will be a slight change in operational procedures. Moneys obtained from the sale of the new 8-Hour Intermediate Internet course will go directly to your Internet payment gateway, minus the cost of TSC's completion seal. (Note that this applies only to Internet courses.) In short, you'll no longer have to wait until the end of the month for a check from TSC to realize your profits. The money goes directly into your pocket!

Summer Reading List

It's that time again: summer…with all of its glory! Nothing to do but sit back, enjoy the sun—or the shade, and read a couple of good books. Will it be Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughan, or Stephanie Meyer's The Host this year? Or, perhaps Three Cups of Tea is more your, well…cup of tea.

Sometimes summer also means traffic school—and that's where you can help! Try recommending TSC's Traffic School Book to your customers to help them fill out their summer reading lists. This Oopra's Book Club selection and Nu Yawk Times' Best Seller promises to be a gripping thrill ride. (Coincidentally, it could be the desire for that level of entertainment that got your students in trouble in the first place!)

No one wants to be bound (if you'll excuse the pun) to a computer terminal or stuck in a stuffy classroom on a beautiful summer day. Now, bookworms can take traffic school in their back yard, at the park, at the beach…wherever they're headed this summer. Traffic School Book allows students to complete their traffic school obligation at their own pace and at times that are convenient for them. It's an easy-to-read page turner, and the driving related humor makes it as fun as any pulp romance or spy thriller!

Don't forget the brand-new Spanish version, Libro de la escuela de tráfico, now available as a first edition. Our affiliates have had great success with this exciting Spanish language product. To place your orders for this contemporary masterpiece, contact Donna in the corporate office (donna@trafficeducation.net or 1-800-252-9951).

TSC's New Product Release Extravaganza

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., is proud to announce the official release of its long-awaited Libro de la escuela de tráfico, the Spanish translation of our first-of-its-kind Traffic School Book! This innovative booklet course is currently in physical production and will be shipping soon. To place your orders for this great new product, please contact Donna in our corporate office (donna@trafficeducation.net or 1-800-252-9951).

We are also pleased to be able to offer our newly approved "Alcohol, Drug, and Traffic Education Seminar." This Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) classroom program—also known as the "First Time Driver Course"—is required by the DHSMV of everyone wishing to obtain a learner's driver's license from the State of Florida. All of the curriculum materials, including the Lesson Plan/Instructor Manual, Flipcharts, and classroom DVDs, will be provided to you free of charge. John and Donna will be contacting you soon to arrange training so you can be certified to deliver this exciting new course. To kick off the release of this new product, we are offering our affiliates TEN FREE STUDENT COMPLETION SEALS with their first order!

Lastly, Out-of-State Referral links have been added to your websites. These links allow prospective students who have received tickets in California or Virginia to connect to TSC's programs in those states—while you get credit for the referral! The links are now active, and you can track your referrals via ASAP. Keep an eye out for other states to be added soon!

Take Your Traffic School on a Road Trip!

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is excited to officially kick off its Out-of-State Referral Program. The concept is simple: the program allows you to collect a referral fee for every graduated student who links from your website to a TSC operation in another state. This is an outstanding growth opportunity, as it can generate instant income with no additional effort on your part.

How It Works. The process is straightforward. Just add a link to your website for visitors who have received a citation in states served by TSC (see below for details). As your provider, we’ll even perform the update to your website for you. For any referred student who graduates from one of our out-of-state traffic safety education courses, we’ll reward you for your referral with a “finder’s fee.”

How to Take Advantage. Most of you have already been personally contacted about this great new program by Gloria Verver, our Director of Affiliate Programs. If you haven’t heard from Gloria yet, you will soon! Participation in the program requires you to sign an addendum to your Affiliate Licensing Agreement. You’ll also need to add a referral link to your website (again, we’ll be happy to help you with the update procedure). It’s that easy! And, if you can’t wait for Gloria’s call to get started, you can contact her at 800-252-9488 or via e-mail at gloria@trafficeducation.net.

What It Does for You. TSC currently operates traffic safety education programs in California and Virginia. We’re preparing to enter New York and New Jersey very soon, and we’ll expand to other states as conditions allow. By participating in our Out-of-State Referral Program, you’ll have access to TSC’s nationwide network of Internet traffic schools. Best of all, this program means that you can serve more students--and reap the financial rewards of increased business. In essence, you can expand your traffic school enterprise...with no extra work on your part!

So, what are you waiting for? Take your traffic school on a coast-to-coast road trip today!