Defensive Driving is essentially driving in a manner that utilizes safe driving strategies to enables motorists to address identified hazards in a predictable manner. These strategies go well beyond instruction on basic traffic laws and procedures.

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/18/2014 -- Benefits of Defensive Driving
The benefits of taking a defensive driving class vary with each state, but often include a reduction of points on their driver's license following a ticket and the assurance that insurance rates will not increase. In some states, taking a defensive driving course can mean a reduction of up to 10% in their insurance rates for a period of three to five years.

Just as the benefits of defensive driving classes vary with each state, so do the requirements. While most basic defensive driving classes are four hours long, some can be as long as six or eight hours.

In some states, students have the option to take defensive driving courses online or by watching a video tape or DVD, while other states only allow students to take defensive driving in a classroom setting.

What's Included in a Basic Defensive Driving Course
The contents of a defensive driving course are regulated by each state and are designed to train you based on the laws of their state. However, most defensive driving classes contain similar information.

The sections below provide a basic outline of the information that is typically covered in defensive driving courses.

Traffic Crashes
Losses from traffic crashes have both social and personal impacts. Approximately 41,000 die annually as a result of traffic collisions, with an additional 3,236,000 injuries. About 38% of all fatal car crashes are alcohol related with another 30% attributed to speeding.

The causes of these crashes, emotional impact and cost in dollars spent on car crashes are typically covered in defensive driving courses. The goal of good defensive driving is to reduce the risk of these accidents by properly educating students to exercise caution and good judgment while driving.

Psychological Factors
On the roadways, drivers have to deal with several factors that can affect their driving. Though some of them are beyond the control of the driver, psychological factors can be controlled by the driver if he knows what to look for and how to handle it.

Defensive driving courses tend to focus on how drivers can overcome negative psychological factors such as unneeded stress, fatigue, emotional distress and road rage. They also offer instructions for developing a positive attitude behind the wheel and increasing their focus on the driving task.

Human Factors – DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol continues to impact thousands of American drivers each year. While the specific effect of each drug on their body takes place in differing stages, the effect of drivers operating a vehicle while under the influence is disastrous.

A very common component of all defensive driving courses is education about the role that drugs and alcohol play on America's roadways. Topics tend to include the state's limits as to blood-alcohol level, how their judgment, inhibitions, motor skills and senses are affected by drugs and alcohol and the consequences of being found guilty of driving under the influence.

The Dynamics of a Crash
Vehicle crashes are almost always a preventable result of a series of events. The combination of speed, place of impact and size of object being impacted can determine the severity of the crash. In every accident, however, the act of one vehicle hitting another vehicle or other object is not the only collision that can occur.

The concept of the second collision, in which the driver and other passengers collides with the windshield, seat or other object within the car when not wearing a seat belt can be just as dangerous as the initial collision.

Defensive driving courses address the issue of vehicle crashes and second collisions by listing the elements of a crash and illustrating how the forces of impact can be avoided or limited.

Safety Equipment
Approximately half of all deaths that are result of an automobile crash could have been avoided if the victim were wearing a safety belt properly. Of course safety belts are only the most commonly thought of vehicle safety equipment. Items such as air bags, child safety seats and head rests all serve to protect drivers and passengers and reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

Defensive driving courses offer tips on how to use these devices properly and ensure their safety when traveling the roadways.

Crash Prevention Techniques
The key to any good defensive driving strategy is knowing how to avoid traffic crashes and recognize potential hazards before it's too late. That's why defensive driving courses tend to present a lot of information on crash prevention techniques.

In a typical defensive driving course, students learn crucial crash prevention techniques that include:

Scanning the roadway and adapting to surroundings
Employing the two-second rule for following distances
Knowing their vehicle's stopping distance
Being aware of reaction distance
Environment hazards
Vehicle emergencies
Sharing the road
Passing and necessary clear distance
Right of way
Speed adjustments and railroad crossings

State Traffic Laws
The final portion of many state defensive driving curriculum requirements is state-specific traffic laws. While for many students this portion serves as a mere refresher course, state traffic laws are not always known by all students.

And especially in states were defensive driving courses are taken as a result of receiving a speeding ticket or other traffic violation, relearning these traffic laws can help turn a traffic offender into a good defensive driver.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Calgary Driving School's Top Five Tips for Driving Theory Test Success

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/11/2014 -- For learner drivers confident in their practical lessons, a driving theory and hazard perception pass certificate is the green light to book a practical driving test. Taking any kind of exam can be nerve-wracking, especially if we're not used to having to revise.

1) Source good revision materials

Reading and understanding the Highway Code is an important part of learning the theory behind safe and legal driving practice. The Highway Code contains the fundamental knowledge required for the multiple choice aspect of the driving theory test, including everything from road markings, signs, motorway driving and rules for different road users, to breakdowns, incidents and first aid on the road. To become familiar with the test format and revise a selection of official questions, students can take a practice multiple choice test on the Directgov website.

2) Create a revision plan

Avoid the stress of last minute revision by creating a study plan as soon as the driving theory test has been booked. Work backwards from the date of the test and schedule sessions to cover all areas of driving theory. Use a Driving Standards Agency approved theory test revision application to utilise spare time on-the-go. Bus journeys, waiting rooms and lunch breaks can all be transformed into valuable revision sessions. Ask a friend for help revising particularly tricky subjects, create question and answer cards to keep revision focused.

3) Put theory into practice

Hazard perception is an important part of safe driving practice, so if we've started practical lessons for driving instructor should encourage hazard awareness in each lesson. Make the most of driving lessons by pointing out hazards to the instructor as we drive and ask the driving instructor to quiz on road signs to improve the learning. To familiarise with the on-screen format of the test, try watching The Driving Standards Agency training DVD, "The official guide to hazard perception".

4) Take steps to manage nerves

Exams can be intimidating, especially if we are out of practice. Leave plenty of time to get to the test centre before your test, allowing for a few minutes to settle the nerves once you arrive. Try to get a good night's sleep beforehand, make sure you have eaten breakfast and take a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated; this way you won't be distracted by tiredness, hunger or thirst during the test.

Studying and following a good revision plan will ensure confidence in the subject, but if have a tendency to feel nervous, breathing deeply and allowing a moment to clear the head before starting the test can help to calm the nerves.

5) Tips for the test

Before the theory test students can choose to take a quick practice test, this is a good way to adjust to the format. At the end of the multiple choice test we have the opportunity to review the answers. Click to add a 'red flag' to difficult questions as to encounter them so that we remember to return to them later; 57 minutes are allocated to answer 50 multiple choice questions, so save some time to review answers before completing the exam. Read each question and answer carefully and consider the reasoning behind the chosen response before committing.

Between the multiple choice test and the hazard perception assessment, we can choose to have a break of up to three minutes. This time can be useful to mentally prepare for the next stage, think about the types of hazards we are likely to encounter while driving and remember that even minor hazards count. We will be asked to click the mouse when a hazard appears on the screen. Don't click too frequently during the hazard perception test, but remember that multiple clicks are required to indicate the seriousness of a developing hazard.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price.

Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Now that independent driving is part of the practical driving test, gaining good navigation skills while learning to drive is important. The advantage of learning how to navigate early in your driving experience is that you will quickly become a more confident, practical driver.

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/11/2014 -- Plan ahead
It may seem obvious, but planning ahead is key to successful navigation. Before starting your journey, study the route on a map. If your drive covers a long distance, identify service stations and places you can stop for a break, integrating these points into your route. As a good starting point, there are plenty of journey planner apps available online and for mobile phones, many will generate multiple routes to choose from.

If you're travelling to a venue, restaurant or business, check for directions and a map on the company website. If possible, it's worth phoning ahead to your destination in advance of your journey to check that it is easy to locate and to enquire about parking.

Look out for road signs, road markings and landmarks
Road signs will usually start to provide directions before you need them, so make sure you observe all signs and road markings as you drive. When going on a long journey, be aware of towns and cities along your route as a way of mapping out the benchmarks of your journey. This way, before sign posts appear for your destination you can confidently navigate through other locations along the route.

Keep a map to hand in your car
Even if you have a satnav, keeping a map in your car is advisable, it's always a good idea to have a physical back-up in case your satnav breaks! If you find you are lost and need to look at a map, find a safe place to pull in to re-navigate. Never compromise driving safety by checking details on a map or programming your satnav while driving.

It's worth always keeping a map book of your local region in your car, to cover areas you are likely to drive to. When driving to a new destination, for example going on holiday, it's worth taking a map of the places you'll be travelling to. If nothing else, maps can be vitally useful for determining location in a breakdown situation.

Satnav
A satnav system can be useful when driving, especially if you find yourself in an area you don't recognise, but be wary of trusting the directions you are given verbatim. Always sense-check directions provided by a satnav, remember to primarily use road signs and markings for guidance and never blindly follow instructions. While satellite navigation can be effective, a satnav map in need of an update, or with programming discrepancies could lead you into a dangerous situation, so always use common sense while driving!

Lost? Don't panic!
If you find you are lost, don't panic. Find a safe place to pull over, such as a car park or layby and check your location on a map. In this instance, a satnav system or a mobile phone with GPS can be extremely useful for determining your location. Finding somewhere to safely stop and re-navigate as soon as you lose your bearings will enable you to resume your journey with confidence.

If you are lost near to your location, stopping to ask for directions is a good idea, people at local businesses, petrol stations and service stations are likely to be able to provide directions to nearby destinations. To help remember a set of instructions and ensure your full understanding, repeat directions back to the person advising you. If you have a complicated set of instructions to follow, it might be worth writing them down if possible. When resuming your journey, take your time, staying calm and focussed.

This followed public uproar that the driving schools may double their fees in view of the changes to the curriculum by the ministry.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Commander of the Ashanti Regional Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), Chief Superintendent, Mr Peter Gyimah, has charged operators of driving schools in the region to include the study of road traffic rules and regulations in the syllabi to equip the drivers with the requisite driving skills.

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/05/2014 -- He said this would help to curb needless accidents on the country's roads.

The Commander made the call at a one-day orientation programme organised by the Ashanti regional office of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) for driving school operators in Kumasi.

Operators of driving schools in Kumasi have observed that the syllabi that was being used in training learners was outmoded and, therefore, made it difficult for them to pass written examinations conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA). As a result, the operators have called for an upgrade of the curricula used by driving schools.

http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ said road crashes in the region had reduced due to the police visibility programme introduced by the service.

He said the Road Traffic Act 2004, sub-section 683, should serve as a guide on how licences were issued to people learning to drive.

He has, therefore, urged driving schools to teach road traffic rules as part of their training programmes in order to prevent incompetence in driving.

The Act stipulates that: "A learner's driving licence shall not authorise a person, prior to that person passing a test of competence to drive on the road a motor vehicle of any class except where that person has successfully completed an approved training course for motor vehicles of that class or is undergoing training on such a course and is driving the motor vehicle on the road as part of the training.''

http://www.aboveallsafety.com/, said that the programme was organised with the view to making driving school owners aware of the need to include the study of road traffic laws in their school curricula.

He said his outfit was using an aspect of 80 per cent enforcement and 20 per cent education to help bring down the spate of road accidents in the region.

Mr Boakye said road safety was a shared and collective responsibility, hence the need for every Ghanaian to ensure that the country's roads were accident-free.

A report last week stated that fees for driving classes would increase due to a new curriculum being implemented on Aug 1.

However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday announced that the new curriculum had been put on hold for further study by the RTD, especially on the cost factor.

He had said considerable research and work had already been done on the curriculum to improve road safety.

However, he said he had asked RTD to undertake further studies to review the curriculum and its costs to the public.

This followed public uproar that the driving schools may double their fees in view of the changes to the curriculum by the ministry.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/01/2014 -- Summer is the busy season at Cascade Driving School in Olympia, and things are right on cue as 15, 16 and 17-year-old students come and go on the hour for a driver's test, written test or are off to take a lesson.

And that's something relatively new for Cascade, which won a contract in 2012 to offer the road and written tests for those trying to secure a driver's license.

The state Department of Licensing still does testing, but only for highly specialized cases, owner Mike Jackson said, such as those who have been ordered to take the test again after a traffic citation or more serious driving infraction.

Jackson, 63, used to teach traffic safety and GED classes at area public schools, then decided to launch a driving school as a part-time business. It soon became full-time work and he left teaching.

For the past 20 years, the business has been a fixture on Fourth Avenue, across from what is now The Martin Way Diner. He opened an office in Yelm in 2007.

It's been steady as she goes for Cascade over the years, but that hasn't always been the case for driver's education.

Driver's education was once a staple of public education, with 350 public school programs statewide compared to 40 driving schools in about 2001, Jackson said. Years later public school programs faded away and the private school took over, reversing those earlier numbers. Half of those private driving schools are in King County, he said.

Cascade is one of two driving schools in Thurston County.

A lifetime spent teaching driving has produced its share of interesting moments.

Some of Jackson's favorites:

- He was on hand when twin brothers, both of whom were born without arms, took the road and written tests and passed. They moved the driver's seat all the way back and then put one foot on the wheel while the other foot pushed the pedals. They also took the written test with their feet, leading Jackson to peer at this reporter's notebook. "They had better 'handwriting' than you do."

- Jackson, who served in the Marines and Marine Corps Reserves for 31 years, once taught a 15-year-old girl how to drive, except the amount of sass and know-it-all attitude she dished out left him feeling like he was the student and she was the teacher. Finally, he called her mother for advice and she replied, "Oh, yes, I know exactly what you're talking about."

- He also once taught an older gentleman who was in 80s and needed a refresher course on driving. Unfortunately, he had a habit of stopping in the middle of intersections before deciding which way to turn.

One might think that teaching teens how to drive all these years would be a headache, but young people learn quickly, Jackson said. The challenge, he said, is teaching adults, who, for whatever reason, never learned to drive. Adults simply are not as adept, he said.

"The older you get, the harder it becomes," Jackson said.

Think you could pass the driver's test today?

Here's the DOL-approved test at Cascade: right and left turns; stopping; parallel parking; backing around a corner; uphill or downhill parking and yielding to right of way.

The most common mistakes: failure to come to a complete stop, failure to use turning signals, and failure to yield to right of way.
Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/21/2014 -- Driving schools seem to be confused as to what they should be doing following the recent three-point turn on the new driving licence curriculum by the Transport Ministry and Road Transport Department (RTD).

They are wondering whether to stop operations or continue as usual.

A poll of four driving institutes, two in Selangor and two in Kuala Lumpur, on the Transport Ministry's list, revealed four different responses to the issue.

One driving institute in Kuala Lumpur told The Rakyat Post that all their classes and new registrations were on hold until after Hari Raya as they were waiting for the RTD's final decision.

Another driving institute confidently responded that registration was still open, classes were still ongoing and quoted RM1,600 as the price to apply for a class D (car) licence.

In Selangor, one driving school quoted RM1,000 to apply for the same licence but added that the price might go up to between RM1,500 and RM1,700 after Hari Raya, depending on whether a registered student started the classes before or after the new curriculum was implemented.

The last driving school queried quoted RM1,138 for the same licence, but was more frank when asked what would happen if a new curriculum was implemented after a student was registered.

"I'm not sure if you will have to follow the new procedures or the old procedures. I have no answer for you on that," said the staff member.

A report last week stated that fees for driving classes would increase due to a new curriculum being implemented on Aug 1.

However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday announced that the new curriculum had been put on hold for further study by the RTD, especially on the cost factor.

He had said considerable research and work had already been done on the curriculum to improve road safety.

However, he said he had asked RTD to undertake further studies to review the curriculum and its costs to the public.

This followed public uproar that the driving schools may double their fees in view of the changes to the curriculum by the ministry.

About Above All Safety
Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/01/2014 -- Most driving education courses focus on young drivers, teenagers with little to no experience behind the wheel. However, a safe driving course from Calgary Driving School focuses on drivers ages 55 and older.

The one-day Safe Driving for Mature Operators class is offered every other month in Calgary. Instructor Roy Turner says he tells his students, "as we go through this class, I'm probably going to tell you a lot of stuff you already know about driving. I'll remind you of some things you may have forgotten, and hopefully, I'll teach you one or two new things you didn't know."

There is no driving in the course and no test. Instead, it includes information suited to the needs of older drivers, from compensating for slower reaction times to new defensive driving tactics.

The cost is $25 for Calgary Driving School members and $30 for non-members. The fee covers the cost of materials and pays for the instructor. Under Alabama state law, participants receive a discount on auto insurance. The discounts usually range from five to 10 percent and the certification is valid for three years.

Driving schools seem to be confused as to what they should be doing following the recent three-point turn on the new driving licence curriculum by the Transport Ministry and Road Transport Department (RTD).

They are wondering whether to stop operations or continue as usual.

A poll of four driving institutes, two in Selangor and two in Kuala Lumpur, on the Transport Ministry's list, revealed four different responses to the issue.

One driving institute in Kuala Lumpur told The Rakyat Post that all their classes and new registrations were on hold until after Hari Raya as they were waiting for the RTD's final decision.

Another driving institute confidently responded that registration was still open, classes were still ongoing and quoted RM1,600 as the price to apply for a class D (car) licence.

In Selangor, one driving school quoted RM1,000 to apply for the same licence but added that the price might go up to between RM1,500 and RM1,700 after Hari Raya, depending on whether a registered student started the classes before or after the new curriculum was implemented.

The last driving school queried quoted RM1,138 for the same licence, but was more frank when asked what would happen if a new curriculum was implemented after a student was registered.

"I'm not sure if you will have to follow the new procedures or the old procedures. I have no answer for you on that," said the staff member.

A report last week stated that fees for driving classes would increase due to a new curriculum being implemented on Aug 1.

However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday announced that the new curriculum had been put on hold for further study by the RTD, especially on the cost factor.

He had said considerable research and work had already been done on the curriculum to improve road safety.

However, he said he had asked RTD to undertake further studies to review the curriculum and its costs to the public.

This followed public uproar that the driving schools may double their fees in view of the changes to the curriculum by the ministry.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Driving schools are unsure what to do after the Transport Ministry postponed implementation of the new curriculum for driving institutes.

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/21/2014 -- Driving schools seem to be confused as to what they should be doing following the recent three-point turn on the new driving licence curriculum by the Transport Ministry and Road Transport Department (RTD).

They are wondering whether to stop operations or continue as usual.

A poll of four driving institutes, two in Selangor and two in Kuala Lumpur, on the Transport Ministry's list, revealed four different responses to the issue.

One driving institute in Kuala Lumpur told The Rakyat Post that all their classes and new registrations were on hold until after Hari Raya as they were waiting for the RTD's final decision.

Another driving institute confidently responded that registration was still open, classes were still ongoing and quoted RM1,600 as the price to apply for a class D (car) licence.

In Selangor, one driving school quoted RM1,000 to apply for the same licence but added that the price might go up to between RM1,500 and RM1,700 after Hari Raya, depending on whether a registered student started the classes before or after the new curriculum was implemented.

The last driving school queried quoted RM1,138 for the same licence, but was more frank when asked what would happen if a new curriculum was implemented after a student was registered.

"I'm not sure if you will have to follow the new procedures or the old procedures. I have no answer for you on that," said the staff member.

A report last week stated that fees for driving classes would increase due to a new curriculum being implemented on Aug 1.

However, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai yesterday announced that the new curriculum had been put on hold for further study by the RTD, especially on the cost factor.

He had said considerable research and work had already been done on the curriculum to improve road safety.

However, he said he had asked RTD to undertake further studies to review the curriculum and its costs to the public.

This followed public uproar that the driving schools may double their fees in view of the changes to the curriculum by the ministry.

About Above All Safety Calgary Driving School
At Above All Safety Driving School we offer government approved courses from the professionals to be a professionals. Above All Safety Driving School offers one of the most comprehensive instructional programs in town - with very competitive price or we match the price. Visit http://www.aboveallsafety.com/ for more information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm