Category Keeping it Wheel

Oct 28 2025

Stay Safe During Roadside Emergencies

Watch Out for Roadside Assistance Scams

When your car breaks down, help should make things easier—not worse. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes target stranded drivers. Here’s how to stay protected:

  • Call Trusted Sources Only: Use the number from your insurance, car manual, or official roadside assistance card.
  • Confirm It’s the Service You Called: Scammers may show up pretending to be the company you contacted—always double-check before accepting help.
  • Go Through Your Insurance When Possible: If your policy includes roadside assistance, reach out directly for verified help.
  • Watch for Red Flags: Be cautious of anyone asking for upfront cash payments or offering unclear pricing.

Stay alert and don’t let scammers turn a stressful situation into something worse.

Apr 30 2025

Deadly Driving Behaviors

The Fatal Four

These four behaviors are responsible for the majority of fatal crashes each year:

  • Speeding – Reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.
  • Distracted Driving – A single glance away from the road can be deadly.
  • Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drugs impair your ability to drive safely.
  • No Seatbelt – Buckling up cuts your risk of dying in a crash nearly in half.

Every driver plays a role in making roads safer. Make the smart choice – every time you get behind the wheel.

Nov 27 2024

Thanksgiving Road Safety Reminder

In 2022, 326 lives were lost in traffic crashes over Thanksgiving weekend, and 43% of those fatalities involved unbuckled passengers.

💡 Key Facts:

  • 47% of nighttime fatalities were unbuckled.
  • 38% of daytime fatalities were unbuckled.

Seat belts save lives. This Thanksgiving, let’s all commit to buckling up and driving safely. TrafficSchool.com reminds you: Safety starts with a seat belt.

Aug 29 2024

Driving Through Construction Zones: Safety First!

Navigating construction zones can be challenging, but with the following tips, you can ensure a safe journey:

Slow Down 

As you approach and drive through construction areas, make sure to reduce your speed. Begin slowing down as soon as you see warning signs, even if the construction isn’t visible yet.

Follow Signs and Signals 

Pay close attention to posted signs, flaggers, and electronic message boards. It’s important to obey instructions from construction workers and flaggers—they’re there to keep everyone safe.

Watch for Workers and Equipment 

Be vigilant for workers and construction vehicles that might enter your lane. Keeping your eyes on the road and avoiding distractions is key to staying safe.

Be Prepared for Sudden Stops 

Stay alert for traffic that may slow down or stop unexpectedly. Maintaining a safe following distance allows you to react in time to sudden stops.

Merge Early 

If you see a lane closure ahead, merge as soon as possible. Early merging helps prevent last-minute lane changes, which can lead to collisions. 

By following these guidelines, you’ll contribute to a safer driving environment for everyone in and around construction zones. Stay safe out there!

Jun 7 2024

N.O.T.S. – The High Score Nobody Wants

Hey there, California drivers! Have you heard about the Negligent Operator Treatment System, or N.O.T.S.? It’s a serious system designed to keep our roads safe by tracking your driving record. It’s not a game, but you’ll still want to know how not to lose. Let’s dive in!

What is the N.O.T.S. System?

Think of N.O.T.S. like a game of golf—the fewer points you have, the better you’re doing. But unlike golf, where high points won’t cause you to lose your golf cart privileges, high points in real cars lead to losing-your-license trouble!

How Do You Score Points?

Every time you mess up on the road, you get points. Here are some examples:

One-point violations (stay on your record for 3 years):

  • 🚦 Unsafe lane change
  • 🛑 Failing to stop at a stop sign
  • 🚗 Simple speeding
  • 🚧 Causing a minor accident

Two-point violations (stick around for 7 years, 10 if it’s DUI):

  • 🚨 Hit and run
  • 🍻 DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
  • 🏎️ Speeding over 100 mph or engaging in a speed contest
  • 💣 Conviction of reckless driving

Not a Love Letter

When you’re on the verge of losing your license, you’ll get a computer-generated “Notice of Intent to Suspend” warning letter from the DMV. It’s a wake-up call from the state that you need to start driving like a pro. Back to the golfing analogy: One more point on your scorecard and you’ll be walking (or taking a bus) to the next hole.

The Magic Numbers You Want to Avoid

Here’s where the suspense kicks in. How many points until your license is suspended?

  • 4 points in 12 months
  • 6 points in 24 months
  • 8 points in 36 months

What’s the grand prize for getting one of these high scores? A six-month suspension and a year of probation for your driver’s license.

Why So Harsh?

Because the more points you have, the more likely you are to be a reckless driver. While being a little undisciplined on a golf course may land you in a sand trap, being irresponsible on the road can land you six feet under.

Final Words of Wisdom

Drive safe, stay alert, and keep those points off your record. Remember, the road is a shared space, and keeping it safe is everyone’s responsibility.

Quiz Time!

Think you’ve got this down? Let’s see!

Q1: How many points in 12 months will suspend your driving privilege?
A. 4 points
B. 6 points
C. 8 points

Q2: How many points is a simple speeding ticket worth?
A. 1 point
B. 2 points
C. No points if you complete traffic school

Drop your answers in the comments! 🚦🚗

Please share this blog with your friends and test their knowledge too. Anyone needing to get that speeding ticket point hidden from their driving record? Head over to TrafficSchool.com – we’ve got you covered! Stay safe out there!

Apr 30 2024

Grandma’s Guide to Road Rage Resilience

Navigating the tumultuous tangle of traffic can sometimes feel like venturing into a chaotic jungle. Amidst the angry honks and not-so-nice gestures, it’s important to keep a level head. While you can’t control the actions of others, you do have the ultimate superpower: the ability to keep your cool!

Picture this: a driver cuts you off without so much as a blinker. Instead of letting your blood boil, take a beat to breathe. Accepting that other drivers often make mistakes, sometimes unintentionally, can help break the cycle of road rage. By expecting the unexpected, you regain control of the steering wheel and your emotions.

So next time that ill-mannered motorist steals your right of way, pause your impulse to “get them back” – instead, do what my grandma taught me, “Channel your inner Zen and count to 10.” After a few deep breaths, your boiling blood will return to a gentle simmer, and life will be good again… and, most importantly, you’ll be home safely instead of sorry.

Jul 27 2023

Stay Safe This Summer: Preventing Car Theft

Summer has arrived, and with it comes scorching temperatures that make getting into a hot car an unpleasant experience. Many of us may be tempted to turn on the air conditioning and leave the car running while seeking refuge in the shade, but this seemingly harmless act can have serious consequences. Leaving your car unattended with the engine running is an open invitation for thieves to strike. Shockingly, approximately 30,000 vehicles are stolen each year, and vehicle theft accounts for about 18 percent of the total crime in the city, according to the LAPD.

To safeguard your vehicle and belongings, here are some invaluable tips to prevent car theft:

  1. Never leave your car running and unattended, even for a brief moment when popping into a store.
  2. Ensure all windows are fully rolled up before leaving your car.
  3. Never leave your keys inside the vehicle or in the ignition, as this makes it effortless for thieves to drive away.
  4. Be cautious about leaving any valuables inside the car. If you must, make sure they are well-concealed and not visible from the outside.

By following these precautions, you can enjoy a safer and worry-free summer, protecting your car from potential theft. Stay vigilant and have a great summer!

Mar 31 2023

Distracted Driving Is No April Fools’ Joke

Did you know that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month? It was started as a way to raise awareness of how dangerous distracted driving can be, with the hopes of putting an end to preventable injuries and deaths on roadways. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), in 2020, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 drivers in America. When behind the wheel always remember to keep both hands on the wheel, your focus on the road, and do not use your cellphone while operating your vehicle. This is especially important for the younger drivers. EndDD.org states that, “The fatal crash rate for teens is 3 times greater than for drivers age 20 and over.” Do your part in keeping the roads safe this year and help bring those statistics down!

*This traffic safety topic is covered in our 8-hour California Traffic School course for traffic tickets. If you need traffic school to keep a moving violation hidden on your driving record, sign up today at https://www.trafficschool.com/california/california-traffic-school/?source=blog_03312023

Dec 27 2022

Driving in the Rain

Driving in the rain can be difficult for almost every driver. In fact, the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) states that “the vast majority of most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement and during rainfall.”

Some things you can do to avoid a potential weather-related crash are:

  1. Slow down and give yourself space between other vehicles.
  2. Use your low beam headlights to help you to see better and to make yourself more visible to other drivers.
  3. Ensure that your windshield wipers are in good condition. This is very important as visibility is already bad with rain.
  4. Tire health is also very important. Bad tires can lead to your car sliding and potentially skidding. Check your tread depth and tire pressure regularly.

If you still don’t feel safe about driving in the rain, then postpone your outing if possible.