Should You Take Traffic School Online?

The cost of driving increases every year and due torecall those one or two annoying students in the back
this most drivers are often willing to do whatever itof the class, out to give the teacher a hard time and
takes to keep their costs down. That means going tocause a distraction. At first, it might be funny but then it
traffic school if they commit a traffic violation. Trafficjust gets downright annoying. Unfortunately, those
school saves drivers from having points added to theirstudents who attend walk-in traffic school risk having
driving records, a necessary step to ensuring thatto deal with such annoyances. "Other students were a
already hefty insurance rates don't skyrocket.distraction. Half of the students didn't want to be there
Fortunately through the use of the internet, today'sand were distracting to the learning process," says
drivers aren't forced to go to a traditional classroomWelch.
traffic school as they once had to. No looking upWelch - like thousands of other drivers before him -
streets and driving for hours... simply grab your favoritehas already decided he'll opt for online traffic school if
coffee (or tea) and pull your seat up to the computerhe ever receives another traffic violation.
to get started. New online traffic schools such asOnline Traffic School
TrafficRelief are now making the task of doing suchThe popularity of online traffic schools and online
courses quick, easily and much more affordable. (Mostdefensive driving courses has some questioning the
online traffic schools charge anywhere from $17 tofuture of the traditional walk-in traffic school. Of
$50.)  course, there will likely always remain the traditionalists
But to give you an even better idea of all the pro's andwho will swear by walk-in traffic school. But, more and
cons, let's look at the following.more people are discovering the vast advantages of
Traditional Traffic Schoolfulfilling their court requirements by completing online
Social Interaction. Some critics of online traffic schoolstraffic school.
say that there's simply nothing like a classroom settingSaves time. It's a simple fact that time is a precious
for traffic school or any school for that matter and tocommodity and most people simply don't have enough
some extent, this is true. Students who opt forof it. Online traffic school allows students to complete
traditional traffic school will have the chance to interactthe traffic course at their own pace.
with their fellow students and the class instructor. ForIt's easy. There's no roll of the dice and crossing of
some people, especially those who thrive in socialfingers, hoping against hope that the instructor is going
settings, this is often the ideal way to learn.to be interesting and enjoyable. With online traffic
The biggest advantage to traditional traffic school mayschools students know they're going to receive clear,
well be the social interaction, especially if the instructordetailed instructions and easy-to-understand,
is good. A charismatic instructor can excite studentscomprehensive course materials. Questions can be
and make the day-long course not only educational butanswered quickly with a phone call or an email to a
also fun.customer service representative.
Immediacy. If a student has a question, all he has to doIt's convenient. Complete traffic school anytime -
is ask and he'll have an immediate answer. Informationwearing pajamas, lounging on the couch or in the
that is unclear can be discussed and clarified formiddle of the night. It doesn't matter. Online traffic
students immediately, instead of them having to call anschool is generally available 24/7, allowing students to
800 number or having to wait for a return email.complete the course at any time.
One session and it's done. Traditional traffic schoolIt's worry-free. Online schools make taking an online
requires students to appear on the day of the class,traffic course a breeze - students need only a
participate throughout the day, complete the finalcomputer and an Internet connection. Registering is
exam, and that's that, if the student passed the finalsimple and safe.
exam. There's no room for procrastination or thoughtsAs with anything, online traffic school does have its
of, "Oh well, I'll just do it tomorrow." Further, informationdisadvantages. In some instances, students don't
will be fresh in the students' mind when they take theimmediately get their certificate, but most online traffic
final exam.schools promise next-day delivery of the certificate for
Certificate is awarded immediately. Students who optan additional shipping fee. However, some counties
for walk-in traffic school will receive their certificate ofprocess the completion certificate electronically and
completion immediately following the session, an addedrequire students to simply call the court to confirm the
bonus for those students who put off taking thecertificate was received. A list, of counties that
course until the last minute.electronically process certificates, can be obtained by
Of course, there are also disadvantages to attendingcalling the court.
walk-in traffic school. No one knows that better thanThose who opt for online traffic school won't have the
Mike P. Welch who completed a traditional walk-insame advantage of being able to get immediate
traffic course in August 2005. In addition to having toanswers for questions they have, however online
shuffle his schedule to fit traffic school in, Welch foundtraffic schools respond in only a few hours.
that much of the course material was grosslyUltimately, the best way for students to decide which
outdated.option is best for them is to consider each option
"The instructor had us watch a video that was fromcarefully, talking with traditional traffic schools and also
the 1970s, and a big segment was on call boxes, whichchecking out online traffic schools.
I felt was irrelevant, considering the majority of theSome people will simply not choose online traffic
population now has cell phones," he says.school because they learn best in an interactive
According to Welch, students were also required toenvironment such as traditional traffic school. Still
reveal their ticket violations in front of the class. Thisothers will swear by the ease and effectiveness of
ultimately led to some students, like Welch, feeling asonline traffic school. When it comes down to it,
though the course was more of a punishment than anchoosing the right traffic school all depends on the
opportunity to learn.student's individual personality, needs and preferences.
Finally, anyone who remembers high school likely can