Editing Defensive driving (section)

== Training and courses ==

Several US government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private schools have launched specialty courses that improve the public's driving skills. In the United States a few of the familiar courses in defensive driving include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving, Insurance discount, Seat Belt Safety, Handsfree, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors. In relation to this, the government has launched active airbag and seat belt safety campaigns that encourage high visibility enforcement.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In addition to improving one's own driving skills, many US states provide an incentive to complete an approved defensive driving course by offering mandated insurance discounts or a way to mask a traffic ticket from one's driving record. In some instances, these courses are referred to as traffic school or a defensive driving school.  States with the biggest incentives include Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. A number of private providers offer a variety of courses. The methods and styles of the courses vary; but they are typically less comprehensive than training to pass an [[advanced driving test]] through the [[Institute of Advanced Motorists]], [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents]] Advanced Drivers and Riders, or [[British Motorcyclists Federation]] Blue Riband.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

While US training has typically focused on handling skills – such as the Bondurant school of high-performance driving – British training has emphasized [[roadcraft]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Defensive and advanced driving and motorcycling are commonly recognized in the UK, championed by charities such as the [[Institute of Advanced Motorists]] and the [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents]]' Advanced Drivers and Riders.

=== Online Defensive Driving Courses ===
In many states, online defensive driving courses are available for drivers to improve their skills and manage traffic tickets without attending in-person classes. These courses are designed to help keep the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records clean, and course providers often handle most court filings, thereby preventing points from being added to drivers' records. Completion of these courses can result in the dismissal of eligible violations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Online Traffic School |url=https://defensivedrivingamerica.com/ |website=Defensive Driving America |access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>