Why Online Driver Safety Courses Are Essential for Safer Roads

Taking an online program to brush up on your driving skills is an easy and smart way to stay safe on the road and unlock some pretty nice bonuses.

If you live in New York and hold a driver's license, signing up for one of these courses isn't just a good idea — it's practically a no-brainer. Here's why.

The Basics of Online Driver Safety Training

Driver Safety has a few other names. You might see driver safety courses called defensive driving, traffic school, accident prevention or similar titles. They all refer to the same kind of driver education.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NYS DMV) offers a program called the Point and Insurance Reduction Program, or PIRP, that offers rewards to New York drivers for completing approved defensive driving courses.

All state-approved classes must cover specific skill improvement topics designed to make students safer, more cautious motorists. Topics include:

New York traffic laws
Common causes of roadway incidents
The dangers of impaired driving and how to avoid them
Aggressive behind-the-wheel behavior
Distracted vehicle operation
Proper stopping distances
Sharing the road safely
Cautious maneuvering and threat evaluation

Reasons to Take a Driving Safety Course Online

You can complete a qualifying driver safety program online or in a classroom. If you want to maximize your benefits, you should take your driving course online. Take a minute to consider all the reasons to take a driving safety course online.

It Can Save Your Life

Driving is likely one of the riskiest things you do on the regular. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported nearly 43,000 deaths from traffic accidents in 2022 — that's a sobering number, and New York contributes its share to those figures.

By taking a safety course, you'll gain practical tips to handle tough situations on the road. Maybe it's been a while since you last flipped through the driver handbook. This is your chance to refresh your memory. Plus, lessons teach strategies to shield yourself from reckless drivers or those who think checking their phone is more important than watching the road.

You'll also learn more about impaired driving. It's more than just alcohol — this category of danger also includes distractions and fatigue. These classes help you stay alert and prepared for all kinds of road hazards.

It Can Save Your License

New York uses a point system for roadway offenses. Every ticket you get adds points to your record, and if you rack up 11 points within 18 months, you're looking at a suspended or revoked license. Not fun, right?

Here's where the learning program comes in handy. Completing one can shave up to four points off your record for the purpose of calculating penalties.

It won't erase your history, but it does reduce the points for penalty calculations. Heads up, though; you can only use this perk every 18 months. And the program won't save you from automatic penalties tied to severe violations.

It Can Save You Money

A roadway awareness program can also put a few bucks back in your pocket every month. Successful completion of an approved motoring improvement school program entitles you to a mandatory 10% reduction of your current liability, no-fault and collision auto policy premiums.

Taking a motorist improvement program is a great way to save on monthly policy costs. Best of all, the discount lasts for three years. You can enroll in a New York advanced motoring program for a policy reduction every 36 months.

Note that the PIRP discount doesn't prevent your provider from raising your rates in the future if you collect speeding tickets or crash your vehicle. You need to take a roadway improvement program and then actually drive responsibly to maximize your savings.

It Can Save You Time and Effort

Taking an advanced motoring program digitally is the ultimate time-saver. Picture this — you're not stuck in a classroom, trying to remember where you left your notepad or rushing to make it on time after work. Instead, you're in charge — enjoying total flexibility to fit the program into your schedule.

The entire training session takes about six hours to complete. But you don't have to finish it all in one sitting. You can grab your laptop, tablet or smartphone and chip away at it whenever you want.

Got 30 minutes free during lunch? Knock out a module. Prefer to pace yourself over a couple of weekends? Go for it. The program automatically saves your progress, so you'll never lose your place, even if life interrupts.

And forget the paperwork! Once you've completed the lessons, the provider takes care of notifying the New York DMV for you. They handle the boring stuff, so you don't have to. That leaves you free to focus on learning instead of red tape.

Worried about language barriers? No need! The program materials are available in both English and Spanish, making it accessible to more road users. Plus, you don't need to go hunting for a classroom that matches your needs — this program works wherever you can get connected. Whether you're cozy on the couch or sitting at your favorite coffee spot, the learning is literally at your fingertips.

With unmatched flexibility, automatic progress saving and all the DMV drudgery done for you, taking a digital advanced motoring program has never been easier — or more convenient.

Getting Started with Online Defensive Driving

To enjoy all of these benefits, enroll in an approved virtual advanced motoring program. New York Safety Council is an authorized provider, listed by the NYS DMV through our parent company, American Safety Council. Our program is certified and meets all New York requirements.

Securing yourself, protecting your license and saving money are easier than ever! There's no final exam — just complete the lessons and pass a few short quizzes to finish. You'll have 30 days to complete the program. And the best part? You can get started right away. Begin today!