Traffic school

Traffic school is the generic common term for remedial courses in Road-traffic safety and safe driving practices. In the United States, these are offered as part of pre-trial diversion programs to Moving violation offenders by traffic courts, in the interest of improving general safety. To offset the oppression suggested by the compulsory nature of traffic school, some businesses present themselves as a "comedy traffic school" where they attempt to have instructors who are, to some degree, entertaining.

Opting to take the course may cost the violator anywhere from slightly less than the fine for the violation to significantly more. However, successful completion will usually either completely remove, or significantly reduce, the effect on the violator's driving record, which in turn will at least reduce the effect on the violator's Automobile insurance premiums. Typically, a traffic violator will be offered the opportunity to take such a course only if he or she has not done so within a specified number of months prior to the violation; this keeps frequent violators from abusing the system to avoid the consequences of their recklessness, while encouraging participants to pay attention, and to put what they learn into practice.

The term does not have the same meaning in every state of the U.S. In some states traffic school is an in class or in person school along with a corresponding internet or online school providing some of the following courses:

Although the course objectives sound different, the primary goal of a person taking these courses is to:

Programs are offered through many channels:

1. Internet - Unlike traditional in class schools, this can be more convenient although not as personal.

2. Classroom - Traditional, offers a live, face to face experience to the user, as he/she will listen directly to a live instructor and can get any questions answered immediately.

3. CD/DVD/On Demand - Another home study method of completion and presentation.

In addition to the United States, a few states and provinces in Canada, Australia and Europe also have this type of traffic school in place, but compared to other countries the United States course is taken on a large scale.

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