How Long Does Online Traffic School Take

Taking an online traffic school can be an easy way to keep points from getting on your license and can help your insurance rates stay low too. But don’t forget that you have to choose a school the DMV accepts, or they won’t give you credit for it. So, if you’re asking yourself how long does a defensive driving course take, make sure you consider more than just the time involved. Here’s how long each state requires you to complete traffic school according to their state law.

California 

In California, traffic school is 8 hours. However, if you take it online there are no timers, so actual course time will depend on the individual. It could take one to two hours or the entire eight. There is a mandatory 25 question multiple choice quiz at the end in which you need to get 70% correct to pass. Make sure you study!

New York

Traffic school in New York is best known as a defensive driving course. It can stop points from being added to your driving record due to a recent traffic ticket and it can also get NY residents a 3-year auto insurance discount. It will take six hours to complete online. You can finish the course at your own pace.

Texas  

When you receive a traffic ticket in Texas you can take a Driving Safety Course which is very similar to traffic school. The course is 6-hours, but the online version includes 60 minutes in mandatory breaks, so you only have to spend a total of 5 hours taking it.

Florida  

Most FL traffic violators can attend a 4-hour online traffic school or basic driver improvement (BDI) course instead of receiving points on their driving record. However, due to allowance for breaks, students will only have to spend 3 hours and 15 minutes in the BDI online version.  Offenders who have taken the 4-hour course in the last 12 months or are habitual traffic offenders may be designated by the court to take an 8-hour course. There are no timers for this online program, which means students will be able to finish more quickly.

Arizona   

It could take up to 48 hours for an online traffic school to verify your eligibility to take the online course, but once you are deemed eligible, you are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours in the traffic school/defensive driving program.

Kentucky 

Once you receive an eligibility letter from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet you can sign up for an online KY traffic school or 4-hour Aware Driver Course. You must spend a minimum of four hours in the course to obtain your proof of completion certificate and point reduction from the state.

Indiana  

Online Indiana defensive driving school is also four hours long. You can do the entire course in one sitting or log off and back on as often as you like until the four hours have been accumulated.

Nevada  

In Nevada, you are required to spend at least five hours in traffic school online. There is also an 8-hour online DUI course available to those who were ordered by a NV court to take a “Driving Under the Influence” course. The online requirement for this course is six hours.

Virginia

Virginia traffic school is one of the longest online driver improvement courses in the country. It is an 8-hour course, but actual online course time allows for an 80-minute break, which means there is a 6-hour and 40-minutes study time requirement.

Georgia  

Like many states, Georgia has a self-paced online traffic school. You can take it at a time that works for you, complete it all at once, or do it in stages. You will however, must spend a minimum of 6 hours in the course.

New Jersey  

New Jersey requires you to spend at least six hours in traffic school. You can actually remove two points from your NJ driving record by taking the MyImprov NJ MVC approved defensive driving course.

Tennessee 

Four hours is the time you’ll spend taking an online traffic school in Tennessee. You can complete it at a time that’s convenient for you, but you’ll need to spend that length of time to have the course count.

Idaho  

Idaho requires a six-hour defensive driving program or traffic school for their point reduction program. Many sites offer a 10-chapter course that is 36 minutes each. Students can log off and back on as often as they wish. Fortunately, with online traffic school, you can take the course when it’s convenient for you.

What Else Should You Know About Online Traffic School?

There’s usually a final exam to take, and you’ll also have to make sure the course completion certificate finds its way to your insurance company if your state and insurance company gives auto insurance discounts for those who complete the online course.

So, how long does traffic school take? From around one or two to more than eight hours, depending on the state you’re in. Knowing the laws and regulations for DMV approved traffic school in your state is important, make sure you are getting the right program for your needs.

What are Riders in NY Insurance?


Like every other motorist, you must have NY insurance. There is no way around it. If caught driving without auto insurance, well, you do not even want to know that will happen. It is bad!

So, you have your insurance. But, does the policy really suit you. Did you ask for the agent to personalize things?

Many people do not know that almost every single insurance policy can be modified. You can add terms that will make the policy more beneficial. And, why not? You are the one who is paying. You are who will need the insurance payouts when things go wrong.

Always remember that when the company writes its standard policies, they are thinking about their own risk. The contract is in their best interests. You need to be smart and add riders, which are special terms, to the policy.

Sit down with your insurance company representative and discuss your specific needs. Then add these special conditions.

Following are some of the more popular auto insurance riders in NY.

Rental Car

What if your car breaks down or is destroyed in an accident? You will have to rent a car while things get fixed. One or two days is not all that bad. But, what about a few weeks? Those payments can prove financially draining.

Adding a rental car rider to your insurance can be a smart move. Most likely, the insurance company will want to set a predefined time period, for example, three weeks, in which they will pay for a rental car. Hopefully, you have your car back within the agreed upon timeframe.

Safe Driver

You can also add a safe driver rider. If you go without any major traffic infractions or accidents for a lengthy period, your insurance rate would be lowered.
Fortunately, you already have a de facto safe driver rider. If you complete a defensive driving NY course, you get an automatic 10 percent auto insurance rate discount for the next three years. Classes are held both online and in-person for your convenience.

One Accident

Everyone makes mistakes. You might do so while driving and cause an accident.

If you are at fault to any extent, even partly, in general, your insurance rate increases. You can prevent this from happening by adding a one-accident rider. It is a freebie for the first time “offender,” so to speak.

Roadside Assistance

This rider allows you to call for emergency assistance at any time without having to pay.

These riders are great deals because you never know just when your car will leave you stranded. When it happens, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you have the extra cash to pay for a tow truck or mechanic.

Vehicle Depreciation

This rider gets you a promise that the insurance company will not take any depreciation of car value into consideration for a certain agreed upon period.

Car Theft

Good for those who reside in high crime areas. For example, you can get a promise not to consider your high-crime location if you park your car in a secured location, such as a private garage.

Also, you can get this rider if you can prove that your neighborhood is changing. Perhaps the insurance provider will not raise your policy so long as the crime rate continues to decline in the area.

Time to Get the Policy You Deserve

No need to accept a boilerplate insurance contract. Ask for reasonable riders, those insurance terms that are of specific benefit to you.

How to get a speeding ticket off your driving record


Speeding tickets tend to happen when you least expect them, and when your funds seem to be at their lowest. But there’s a much bigger danger beyond just your rapidly shrinking bank account — points on your license. Tally up enough of those points, and you may find yourself not only broke but also on the bus. But there are ways that you can get a speeding ticket wiped entirely from your record completely.

What is the best way to fight a traffic ticket?

Judge with gavel

Every state in the nation has their own way of handling speeding tickets, with some being more lenient than others. There are certain things that stay the same across the US if you plan to fight the ticket. For all states, you’ll have a chance to tell your side of the story if you feel there was a mistake made when issuing the speeding ticket. For example, if you know you were going 55 miles an hour when the officer clocked you at 65, then his radar gun or detection device may have been poorly calibrated or just plain broken. Always plead not guilty in any court of law if you intend to fight. In all states, you’ll need to fill out the proper paperwork and pay the court fees to get your record and plead your case.

Judge with gavel

When you argue your case in either a conference or a court, you need to know the regulations that will help you win. For example, radar units are supposed to be calibrated before every shift, and before and after an officer uses it to clock a speed. These types of stringent requirements are difficult to follow for a busy speed trap, so you may be more in luck than you think. Evidence like camera footage may help you prove that the light was yellow by the time you crossed into the intersection. The court will consider your past driving records to help make their decision, so highlight any good behavior on the road too. You also can hire a lawyer who may be able to use their skills and expertise to get your ticket completely cleared for your record too.

What are the benefits of taking online traffic school?

Judge with gavel

Traffic school is offered in most states as a way to clear your record. Depending on the severity of your offense, it may be mandated that you take these classes. Typically, you’ll want to plead guilty if you intend to take the classes, but you don’t have to. For example, in California, you can still fight the ticket and potentially have the option to take traffic school if a judge allows it. However, the judge does not have to justify their decision to you if they don’t allow you to take driving school, so bear this in mind if you’re weighing your options.
Monopoly car on American map

If you live in the states of Arizona, Florida, California or Texas, you can have the ticket dismissed entirely if you take traffic school. If you live in New York state, traffic school will take up to 4 points off your license. Arizona, Florida, and Texas will only allow you to take the traffic school option once a year. In California and New York, it’s up to 18 months. You should have had only one moving violation, and it must be for a speeding ticket as opposed to reckless driving to get the points removed. Another major bonus in taking traffic school is that you may be able to reduce the cost of your insurance as well as get the points removed.

Weirdest Traffic Laws from Each State

Even on the Federal Highway System, the Rules of The Road vary from state to state. Here we’ve collected and commented on some of the more arcane and unusual traffic laws you may want to remember if you live in, or travel in the United States. Read up! Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and if you break the law, you may have to take traffic school to dismiss the ticket.

Alabama – It’s illegal to drive a car while blindfolded.

Alaska – No driving with a dog tethered to your car.

Arizona – It’s against the law to drive a car in reverse on a public road.

Arkansas – in Little Rock it’s against the law to honk your car horn anywhere that serves cold drinks or sandwiches after 9 p.m.

California – In Glendale, it’s illegal to jump from a car going over 65 mph.

Colorado – It’s illegal to drive a black car on a Sunday in Denver.

Connecticut – it’s illegal to hunt from a car.

Delaware – “R” rated movies shall not be shown at drive-in theaters.

Florida – It is illegal to skateboard without a license.

Georgia – There’s no driving through playgrounds in Georgia.

Hawaii – It’s against the law for a vehicle in motion to use its hazard lights. People might think it’s a Luau.

Idaho – it’s forbidden for Senior Citizens over the age of 88 must lose all sense of balance, them to ride a motorcycle in Idaho Falls.

Illinois – It’s illegal to drive a car without a steering wheel. And, of course, impossible.

Indiana – It’s against the law to sell cars on Sundays. Try Maine.

Iowa – No vehicle may sell ice cream in Indianola, Iowa.

Kansas – No tire screeching in Derby, Kansas.

Kentucky – It’s illegal for your pet to molest a vehicle in Fort Thomas.

Louisiana – A woman’s husband is required by law to walk in front of the car waving a flag as she drives it.

Maine – It’s illegal to buy a car on a Sunday. Better move to Indiana.

Maryland – It’s a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle while driving through Rockville.

Massachusetts – You cannot drive with a gorilla in your backseat. In the front seat is okay with the seat belt buckled.

Michigan – It’s against the law to sit in the middle of the street and read a newspaper. But in Detroit you may lie there and be covered by one.

Minnesota – You can be charged as a public nuisance if your truck leaves mud, dirt or sticky substances on the road in Minnetonka.

Mississippi – In Oxford, it’s illegal to honk your horn, even though it is an additional means of communication included in the price of your car.

Missouri – You can’t honk someone else’s car horn in University City, Missouri.

Montana – You can’t drive a herd of livestock numbering more than 10 on an interstate highway unless the herd is preceded and followed by flagmen.

Nebraska – By law, drivers on mountains should drive with caution near the right edge of the highway. Surprisingly, Bighorn Mountain rises to 4,731 feet.

Nevada – Even though it’s the desert, t’s illegal to ride a camel on the highway.

New Hampshire – It’s against the law to inhale bus fumes with the intent of inducing euphoria. If you want to kill yourself, that’s covered under a different law.

New Jersey – If you have been convicted of DUI, you can never apply for personalized license plates.

New Mexico – It may or may not be kidnapping, but it is illegal for cab drivers to reach out and pull potential customers into their taxis.

New York – It’s against the law to disrobe in your car in the beach town of Sag Harbor, Long Island.

North Carolina – In Dunn, North Carolina it’s illegal to play in traffic.

North Dakota – it’s illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.

Ohio – It’s illegal to run out of gas in Youngstown.

Oklahoma –Cars must be tethered outside of public buildings. No guidance on to what.

Oregon – It is illegal to place a container filled with human fecal matter on the side of any highway. No containers!

Pennsylvania –Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass.

Rhode Island – One must make a loud noise before passing a car on the left. Preferably with your vehicle’s horn.

South Carolina – When approaching a four way or blind intersection in a non-horse driven vehicle you must stop 100 ft. from the intersection and discharge a firearm into the air to warn horse traffic.

South Dakota – No horses are allowed into Fountain Inn unless they are wearing pants.

Tennessee – It’s illegal to shoot game from a moving vehicle. But hitting it with your car is legal, and can be delicious.

Texas – You must have windshield wipers to register a car.

Utah – By law, birds have the right of way on all highways. Luckily, they don’t usually exercise it.

Vermont – It’s illegal for cars to backfire in Rutland.

Virginia – Radar detectors are illegal.

Washington – A motorist with criminal intentions must stop at the city limits and telephone the chief of police as he is entering the town.

West Virginia – It’s legal to eat road kill. No info on whether you can shoot it from your car.

Wisconsin – One may not camp in a wagon on any public highway.

Wyoming – If you open a gate over a road, river, stream or ditch, you’d must close it behind you.

Pursuing good health is a laughing matter

He may not actually be funny himself, but for the past two decades, Dr. Steven Sultanoff has been an evangelist for therapeutic humor. The clinical psychologist, who leans more toward clever than hilarious, teaches the value of jokes, and the belly shaking that comes with them, to medical professionals and therapists at Pepperdine University and at workshops statewide.

Over the years, Sultanoff has come up with his own model for helping people through applied wit and whimsy. He calls it Humor Matters. But it’s far more than fun and games—his approach to levity has a purpose. “It’s not like you sit down and I tell you jokes. You talk about something, then maybe I exaggerate something, and you laugh at it. And the reason I might have exaggerated it was to help you shift your thinking about whatever it was,” he says.

Sultanoff had the aha moment that would shape his career during a training session for cognitive therapy. He realized everything he was trying to accomplish—managing our thoughts, behavior, feelings and even biochemistry—could be effected with humor. He developed a three-component model: laughter, mirth and wit.

“When you laugh,” Sultanoff says, “it affects you physiologically; when you experience mirth, it affects you emotionally; and when you exercise your wit, it affects you cognitively.” He has been known to don a clown nose to change the mood during a session, and he often instructs his clients who suffer from phobias to visualize a time when they laughed so hard it literally brought tears to their eyes.

Sultanoff sees proof daily that the emotional shifts stimulated by this are a beneficial physical aid. “You feel less stressed, and it seems to increase the tolerance to pain.”

Recently, there has been much media fanfare over a growing community that believes in pairing a hearty guffaw with breathing exercises—known as laughter yoga.

Dr. Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai, founded Laughter Yoga Clubs back in 1995. He and Sultanoff have appeared together on panels, and though their approach is different, their goal is shared. “In laughter yoga, anyone can laugh without comedy,” Kataria says. “You start by fake laughing, and then once you lose inhibitions, it becomes real—and contagious.”

It should come as no surprise that California is home to the most laughter clubs in the nation. “The last time I was in Los Angeles, I suggested they start calling it Laugh Angeles,” Kataria says, punctuating his sentence with booming ha-ha’s. Celebrities Goldie Hawn and Oprah have endorsed the shift to laughter therapies. Former ballerina and Playboy model Cynthia Toussaint is a believer as well. She founded For Grace, a nonprofit for women in pain, and selected Sultanoff to speak at the group’s third conference, Gender Matters. After decades of enduring complex regional pain syndrome—sometimes known as the suicide disease because of the constant pain—she says developing a more jestful nature has helped her weather years of suffering.

“There are many options for pain, and we need all of them,” Toussaint says. “Plus, you get to have fun.”

Medical practitioners agree humor is a welcome distraction and valuable therapeutic tool, though even Sultanoff acknowledges additional research is needed to determine if fits of giggles can ever be considered an actual cure.

Laughter being the best medicine will have to remain a cliché—for at least a little while longer.

As a side note. The Improv Traffic School offers thier online traffic school in a fun and simple way. We all know traffic school can be a bore but they make it fun and funny!

Fighting Traffic Tickets – Is it a Good Idea?

Decide Whether the Ticket Is Worth Fighting First off, decide whether it’s worth your time to fight a ticket.   If a ticket means thousands of dollars in increased insurance premiums, risk of license suspension, or other serious penalties it may be worth the hassle…  however, fighting tickets is not simple  it may  not be always worth it. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you decide Understand the Law You Are Alleged to Have Violated Most police officers don’t really know the letter of the law – after all that’s what attorneys are for. An easy first step in fighting traffic tickets is to read the exact law you’re alleged to have violated, and break it down into elements. Once you’ve broken the law down into its components, if you can show that your behavior didn’t meet the exact prohibitions contained in the law, then you’ve gone a good ways towards showing that you haven’t violated the law at all. Here’s an actual stop sign law, with brackets to separate different elements of the law: “[A person] [operating a human-powered vehicle] [approaching a stop sign shall slow down] and, [if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection]. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, [the person shall yield the right-of-way to] [any vehicle] [in the intersection] or [approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across] or [within the intersection or junction of highways], [except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping].” Some elements you can’t really challenge (you are a person after all), but notice that stopping isn’t actually required! It’s only necessary if it is “required for safety” and the law explicitly allows you to “cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping”. Chances are good that the police officer wrote down something like “rolled through intersection without a complete stop”. You can easily go into court, lay out the law, and demonstrate that you never violated the law in the first place. Will a judge accept this? Absolutely. This is precisely what lawyers do, they break down laws into elements and try to prove that some element wasn’t met. Remember, you’re innocent until proven guilty. Don’t Pay the Ticket, It’s Often an Admission of Guilt When you first get your ticket, do not pay it. In almost all jurisdictions, paying the fine is an admission of guilt. Instead, find out how you can get your day in court. Consider Traffic School Many jurisdictions offer an option to attend traffic school. In return, your charges will be dismissed or reduced and points masked from  your driving record. Explore this option by researching the law in your state. If you find that an online traffic school is a good option, request it from the prosecutor or judge.  Most of the jurisdictions that accept traffic school (sometimes referred to as a Defensive Driving Course) will also allow you to complete it Online.   Traffic School requirements range from 4-12 hours , which is still much better than some other alternatives. Common Defenses to a Traffic Ticket There are several typical defenses used when fighting traffic tickets. Many of the defenses below are based on your constitutional right to question the accuser . The Officer Doesn’t Show UpThe easiest way to win is to have the police officer not show up. Because you have a constitutional right to question the accuser, if the officer doesn’t show, you will typically automatically win. How can you increase your chances of getting a no show?

  • Postponing the court date can significantly increase the odds that the officer will not be present during the trial.
  • Never go with the date on your ticket. That’s usually a “gang date” for the officer, where the officer has scheduled all of his or her court dates at once. If you schedule for an extension that falls on a different day, chances are they aren’t going to come in on their day off just for you.
  • Try to choose a court date that is closer to the holidays or summer vacation days – this might increase the odds of your officer being out on vacation.

Camera Tickets and Hearsay People often think that there’s little they can do with a camera based ticket, but they’re amazingly easy to beat. Here are some tips:

  • Courthouses will rarely go through the trouble of bringing the video or picture to court, usually resulting in an automatic dismissal of the ticket.
  • Even if they do, there is no human subject to question other than the officer who viewed the tape. The second the officer opens his mouth, you just object “hearsay”. Hearsay is the equivalent of “so and so told me”, which courts consider unreliable evidence. After all, the officer didn’t actually see you do anything, rather the officer is relying on the observations of someone/something else. As a result, the officer can’t testify as to what you did wrong and obviously neither can the camera. It takes courage to do this, but it can work.

Trial by Declaration In many states, you are entitled to a trial by mail. You submit your claim as to why you are innocent in a letter, and the officer must do the same. While officers will often show up for court because it is an overtime opportunity, trial by mail is pure paperwork, and they will often not bother to submit their side of the story. When this happens, you win by default. Should you lose by mail, you have lost nothing: you can still request an in-person trial, request traffic school, or pay your fine. The Sixth Amendment Requires a Speedy and Public Trial The sixth amendment guarantees you a speedy and public trial, and this can be an easy basis to avoid a ticket. For example, in California, a speedy trial is defined as 45 days from the time of the infraction. In many jurisdictions you must go to the courthouse in person to get a court date. Among those legal documents you are asked to sign, will be one in which you waive your right to a speedy trial. Do not sign this document. You cannot be legally forced to waive this right. What this means is that if the court system cannot fit you in, within those 45 days, (times for your state may vary) then your case must be dismissed. Tickets Based on Radar Guns Most radar guns need to be recalibrated every 30-60 days, and due to ignorance, lack of funding, or laziness, they rarely are. One solid argument for your case is to prove that the measurement device is faulty. In some states the officer must check the calibration after issuing the ticket – usually by using two tuning forks held in front of the radar, which vibrate at the frequencies for 35 mph and 55 mph. Verify whether this was done and documented. Check Your Ticket for Errors While courts will often excuse minor errors on a ticket ? a misspelled name or whether your car color is maroon or dark red ? if the officer cites the wrong law on the ticket, or grossly misidentifies the highway or your make of car, you may to get your ticket dismissed. Defenses That Don’t Work The following is a short list of common defenses people often make when fighting traffic tickets that just don’t work:

  • You claim ignorance of the law. It doesn’t matter how honestly you misunderstood what was required, it won’t work.
  • You argue that no one was hurt. The no-harm-no-foul rule doesn’t apply in court. The only exception is whether safety is part of the law itself, and you can argue that obviously you operated your vehicle safely because no one was hurt.
  • You complain that the officer selected you alone out of a dozen other potential violators. Admitting that you were in fact guilty, but that there were other guilty people present doesn’t help you. You can win a “selective enforcement” defense, but it’s very hard to do and requires that you demonstrate the officer had a specific and improper motive to pick on you. For instance if you filed a report against the officer and he just happened to pull you over the next day with a dozen other violators nearby, you may win.
  • You give the judge a sad story. It doesn’t work, judges hear this all day long and may doubt your honesty. At best this will slightly reduce your fine.
  • You claim the officer is lying. Between you and the police officer, the judge is more likely to believe the officer. Unless you have specific proof, it won’t work.

Hope: Intelligent Traffic System

An intelligent traffic system can now make future predictions of which route will be the best way for you take to avoid congested roads. In urban areas especially, this traffic system is going to be wildly useful.

While there are many routes a driver can take, it is not easy to predict which one will be the fastest. Researchers have developed an intelligent traffic system which displays information real-time about the best route to take, thereby helping drivers make the best choice on the road. Until recently, traffic information was displayed in the immediate past. The intelligent traffic system has gone one step further and will make real-time future predictions for drivers.

The researchers of a combination of universities such as the Institute of Technology in Georgia and University for Science and Technology of Shanghai have reported results obtained by using the intelligent traffic system. This is known as prediction feedback strategy (PFS). Researchers have shown demonstrations using the PFS and how it controls the flow of traffic. Even if a handful of drivers opt to use this information the traffic congestion will improve considerably. The most significant change that PFS brings about is the data provided on how to prevent traffic congestion in the future.

While feedback from the intelligent traffic system has been applied to systems with a two way route, researchers have attempted at applying it to a three way route, a more complex scenario. According to the model, drivers are given three route options to choose from. In the simulation model, the strategies are based on the overall time taken by the previous vehicle which is determined at the end of travel and the average number of vehicles on a particular road. This is then calculated with vehicles transmitting their location using a GPS to the control centre.

The newest strategy introduced by researchers, the PFS is able to predict road congestion in the future based on road congestion in the present. Compared to the two way strategy or using the model that makes predictions based on the immediate past, the PFS can overcome these other strategies and accommodate increased vehicle capacity. In earlier strategies the driver reported the road condition ahead of him based at the end of the two way route. This strategy will work well as long as there are no vehicles jammed behind the driver. PFS on the other hand, can make future predictions and effects of the route at the end of the traffic system.

As a person who works for an online traffic school I can’t even fathom how much this system can help congested areas I would suspect it would even decrease the amount of car crashes! Stay tuned to the Improv Traffic School blog for more updates on this type of technology.

An intelligent traffic system can now make future predictions of which route will be the best way for you take to avoid congested roads. In urban areas especially, this traffic system is going to be wildly useful.

While there are many routes a driver can take, it is not easy to predict which one will be the fastest. Researchers have developed an intelligent traffic system which displays information real-time about the best route to take, thereby helping drivers make the best choice on the road. Until recently, traffic information was displayed in the immediate past. The intelligent traffic system has gone one step further and will make real-time future predictions for drivers.

The researchers of a combination of universities such as the Institute of Technology in Georgia and University for Science and Technology of Shanghai have reported results obtained by using the intelligent traffic system. This is known as prediction feedback strategy (PFS). Researchers have shown demonstrations using the PFS and how it controls the flow of traffic. Even if a handful of drivers opt to use this information the traffic congestion will improve considerably. The most significant change that PFS brings about is the data provided on how to prevent traffic congestion in the future.

While feedback from the intelligent traffic system has been applied to systems with a two way route, researchers have attempted at applying it to a three way route, a more complex scenario. According to the model, drivers are given three route options to choose from. In the simulation model, the strategies are based on the overall time taken by the previous vehicle which is determined at the end of travel and the average number of vehicles on a particular road. This is then calculated with vehicles transmitting their location using a GPS to the control centre.

The newest strategy introduced by researchers, the PFS is able to predict road congestion in the future based on road congestion in the present. Compared to the two way strategy or using the model that makes predictions based on the immediate past, the PFS can overcome these other strategies and accommodate increased vehicle capacity. In earlier strategies the driver reported the road condition ahead of him based at the end of the two way route. This strategy will work well as long as there are no vehicles jammed behind the driver. PFS on the other hand, can make future predictions and effects of the route at the end of the traffic system.

As a person who works for an online traffic school I can’t even fathom how much this system can help congested areas I would suspect it would even decrease the amount of car crashes!

Defensive Driving In Hurricanes

Mother Nature strikes when you least expect it … our Improv Traffic School Team has come up with some tips on driving during a Hurricane.

Driving Tip #1 DON”T DRIVE
But it you have to …..

Driving Tip #2 Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you hit the open road!

Driving Tip #3 Make sure you have flood insurance!

Driving Tip #4 Pack the following:

  • * Your cell phone [make sure it’s charged!]
  • * Essential Medicines
  • * Flashlights and batteries
  • * Old school Radio
  • * Food and water

Driving Tip #5 Have alternate routes of exit through your town in case your familiar roads are shut down for flooding.

Driving Tip #6 Let your family know, whether you get along with them or not, what your plan is so you have someone that has tabs on you!

Driving Tip #7 Don’t drive your bike during a hurricane! Watch this … wait for it around the 50 second mark! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUqI0VecYn4

Driving Tip #8 Watch out for high winds!