The cost of driving increases every year and due to this
most drivers are often willing to do whatever it takes to keep their costs
down. That means going to traffic school if they commit a traffic violation.
Traffic school saves drivers from having points added to their driving records,
a necessary step to ensuring that already hefty insurance rates don't
skyrocket.
Fortunately through the use of the internet, today's
drivers aren't forced to go to a traditional classroom traffic school as they
once had to. No looking up streets and driving for hours... simply grab your
favorite coffee (or tea) and pull your seat up to the computer to get started.
New online traffic schools such as TrafficRelief are now making the task of
doing such courses quick, easily and much more affordable. (Most online traffic
schools charge anywhere from $17 to $50.)
But to give you an even better idea of all the pro's
and cons, let's look at the following.
Traditional Traffic School
Social Interaction. Some critics of online traffic
schools say that there’s simply nothing like a classroom setting for traffic
school or any school for that matter and to some extent, this is true. Students
who opt for traditional traffic school will have the chance to interact with
their fellow students and the class instructor. For some people, especially
those who thrive in social settings, this is often the ideal way to learn.
The biggest advantage to traditional traffic school
may well be the social interaction, especially if the instructor is good. A
charismatic instructor can excite students and make the day-long course not
only educational but also fun.
Immediacy. If a student has a question, all he has
to do is ask and he'll have an immediate answer. Information that is unclear
can be discussed and clarified for students immediately, instead of them having
to call an 800 number or having to wait for a return email.
One session and it's done. Traditional traffic
school requires students to appear on the day of the class, participate
throughout the day, complete the final exam, and that's that, if the student
passed the final exam. There's no room for procrastination or thoughts of,
"Oh well, I'll just do it tomorrow." Further, information will be
fresh in the students' mind when they take the final exam.
Certificate is awarded immediately. Students who opt
for walk-in traffic school will receive their certificate of completion
immediately following the session, an added bonus for those students who put
off taking the course until the last minute.
Of course, there are also disadvantages to attending
walk-in traffic school. No one knows that better than Mike P. Welch who
completed a traditional walk-in traffic course in August 2005. In addition to
having to shuffle his schedule to fit traffic school in, Welch found that much
of the course material was grossly outdated.
"The instructor had us watch a video that was
from the 1970s, and a big segment was on call boxes, which I felt was
irrelevant, considering the majority of the population now has cell
phones," he says.
According to Welch, students were also required to
reveal their ticket violations in front of the class. This ultimately led to
some students, like Welch, feeling as though the course was more of a
punishment than an opportunity to learn.
Finally, anyone who remembers high school likely can
recall those one or two annoying students in the back of the class, out to give
the teacher a hard time and cause a distraction. At first, it might be funny
but then it just gets downright annoying. Unfortunately, those students who
attend walk-in traffic school risk having to deal with such annoyances.
"Other students were a distraction. Half of the students didn’t want to be
there and were distracting to the learning process," says Welch.
Welch – like thousands of other drivers before him –
has already decided he'll opt for online traffic school if he ever receives
another traffic violation.
Online Traffic School
The popularity of online traffic schools and online
defensive driving courses has some questioning the future of the traditional
walk-in traffic school. Of course, there will likely always remain the
traditionalists who will swear by walk-in traffic school. But, more and more
people are discovering the vast advantages of fulfilling their court
requirements by completing online traffic school.
Saves time. It’s a simple fact that time is a
precious commodity and most people simply don’t have enough of it. Online
traffic school allows students to complete the traffic course at their own
pace.
It’s easy. There’s no roll of the dice and crossing
of fingers, hoping against hope that the instructor is going to be interesting
and enjoyable. With online traffic schools students know they’re going to
receive clear, detailed instructions and easy-to-understand, comprehensive
course materials. Questions can be answered quickly with a phone call or an
email to a customer service representative.
It’s convenient. Complete traffic school anytime –
wearing pajamas, lounging on the couch or in the middle of the night. It
doesn’t matter. Online traffic school is generally available 24/7, allowing
students to complete the course at any time.
It’s worry-free. Online schools make taking an
online traffic course a breeze – students need only a computer and an Internet
connection. Registering is simple and safe.
As with anything, online traffic school does have
its disadvantages. In some instances, students don’t immediately get their
certificate, but most online traffic schools promise next-day delivery of the
certificate for an additional shipping fee. However, some counties process the
completion certificate electronically and require students to simply call the
court to confirm the certificate was received. A list, of counties that
electronically process certificates, can be obtained by calling the court.
Those who opt for online traffic school won’t have
the same advantage of being able to get immediate answers for questions they
have, however online traffic schools respond in only a few hours.
Ultimately, the best way for students to decide
which option is best for them is to consider each option carefully, talking
with traditional traffic schools and also checking out online traffic
schools.
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