Florida drivers who receive a warning instead of a traffic ticket from a law enforcement officer after committing a violation are often relieved. Warnings are not recorded on an individual’s driving record, cannot be used to raise insurance rates, and don’t result in a fine. A warning for a traffic infraction is a reprieve, but it should also be viewed as a wake-up call.

After years of driving experience, many motorists develop poor driving habits such as driving while distracted, exceeding the speed limit, and rolling through stop signs at familiar intersections. These lapses are sometimes enough to result in traffic tickets – or cause crashes. A refresher defensive driving course on safe driving techniques and road rules can help drivers save money by avoiding future tickets and motor vehicle crashes.

A benefit of a traffic school course is that drivers learn defensive driving. It teaches drivers to go beyond the rules of the road to put safety first. Driving defensively means driving in such a way that you reduce the risk of crash, which in turn prevents injury to yourself and others. Using defensive driving techniques will help you:

Driver education courses are particularly important for teen drivers who receive warnings. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. As newly licensed drivers, teens often have little driver education beyond the minimum requirements for a Florida driver’s license, and they often have trouble applying what they learn in a classroom until they have some behind-the-wheel experience. A warning for a traffic violation is the perfect opportunity for reinforcing driver safety concepts.