A New Years' Resolution You Can't Afford To Break

As we enter 2007 and get set to ring in a brand new year, many people have already begun to think of New Year's Resolutions.

Lose 20 pounds. Eat better. Join a gym. Be nicer to your fellow man. We've heard them all. Unfortunately, most of these resolutions won't be kept.

Today, we've got a great New Year's Resolution that won't cost you a thing, will keep you out of trouble and could end up saving you money.

The resolution? Drive safe.

Simple, isn't it? Get behind the wheel and do what you were originally taught to do in driver education school. Stay out of trouble and avoid having to take a defensive driving course to correct your problem. Be alert, be aware and be proactive behind the wheel. Anticipate dangers on the road and react to them before they happen. Check your mirrors often. Always signal. Look over your shoulders before making a turn. Always come to a complete stop. Never run a red light.

You know the drill. Driving safe is easy. Unfortunately, most drivers break traffic laws almost routinely. Unfortunately, if you're caught, you could end up with a big ticket. And in order to dismiss that ticket, you might have to complete an in-class or online defensive driving program.

In this article, we're pleased to bring you some friendly advice on how you can avoid getting a ticket and avoid taking a defensive driving program to correct your traffic violations. Our advice may seem like common sense, but with so many people breaking traffic laws daily, it only makes sense to repeat them.

Do Not Pass School Buses

Ok, so this heading is a little misleading. You can pass school busses that are in motion without their stop sign extended and their lights flashing. If you've ever taken an in-class or online defensive driving class in the past, you're well aware. But when a school bus is parked and picking up or letting off passengers, you may not pass in either direction if their stop sign is displayed and lights are flashing. Doing so is against the law and will result in a traffic ticket, points on your record and perhaps increased insurance premiums.

What's more, to correct that serious traffic violation, you may need to take a defensive driving course. These courses are there to remind you of the rules of the road since you clearly don't remember what they are.

Speed Limits Are More Than Recommendations

Speed limits exist for a reason. They are designed to keep you safe, to keep other drivers safe and to keep pedestrian traffic safe. Do what any bricks-and-mortar or online defensive driving program will tell you. Don't exceed them. Doing so will result in a traffic ticket. If you want to stay away from having to take an in-class or online defensive driving course, don't speed. It's that simple.

We could go on and on with recommendations on how to avoid getting a ticket and how to drive safe in 2007. But at the end of the day, it's all common sense. Eliminate those poor driving habits, pay attention to what's around you, remember what you were taught in driving school (and in a defensive driving program if you've taken one) and you should be able to stay out of a defensive driving class next year.

Have a great new year. And good luck with your resolution -- no matter what it may be.