Traffic school. A casual web search on that phrase nets over 75,000 results, some online, some traditional, and some offering both. One might assume that teaching defensive driving while avoiding road rage is one of this year’s new hot careers, and running the classes is definitely becoming a common small business in most metropolitan areas, but who is taking these classes, and are they sitting in a desk, behind a wheel, or at the keyboard while they do it.

It used to be that traffic school was only for people wanting to prevent the addition of violation-caused points being added to their driving records, but with insurance costs increasing annually, many people are getting that certificate for the discount it offers – generally about 10% of their comprehensive and collision premium, with one certificate being valid for three years. As well, some insurance companies accept a defensive driving class as “experience” for teen drivers, lowering their insurance rates a bit, too.

Once the decision has been made to GO to traffic school, the next choice is in-room, behind the wheel of automobiles or online.

There is no doubt that the popularity of online defensive driving classes and internet traffic schools is a threat to the classroom method. The two main reasons for this are that online courses are more convenient and less complicated than traditional classes.

Since online and classroom courses have comparable costs (usually around $30), convenience may be the key factor. With an online course students don’t have to worry about whether or they will be able to find a location or a parking space. There is no need to miss work or give up an evening or a Saturday. Instead, they can work at their own pace, at the time that is best for them, and since some counties don’t require a physical completion certificate, they can record their fulfillment of court requirements almost instantly.

Internet traffic school is also far less complicated then a live class. There are no personality issues with instructors or other students, and no required materials other than internet access and a computer.

The disadvantages of online classes involve the immediacy of both certificates and additional information. Certificates have to be mailed, though it’s usually possible to pay extra for one-day service, and some counties are still processing them manually. If the student needs an answer to a question that isn’t addressed adequately on the website, however, they may have to wait several hours for a response.

While more and more people are opting for an online experience when it comes to traffic school, however, there are still those who prefer a more traditional approach. A classroom setting offers not only a live person to answer questions, but also social interaction, which can actually help people retain information.

The traditional classes can be made or broken if the instructor isn’t good, however. In many cities and counties new versions of traffic school called “comedy defensive driving” or “improv traffic school” both of which feature local comedians and improvisational theater performers as the instructors, making the experience both more memorable and more fun. Even the non-comedy classes offer immediate answers to students’ questions, however – no waiting in a queue for an answer.

Additionally, one key advantage of going to an actual class is that they’re designed to be over and done with in one session. You go to the class, soak in the information, and take the required exam right there, while the information is fresh. If you pass, you get the certificate of completion before you go home. This is an efficient system, but students should be advised that information is not always as current as it should be. There are reports of classes being shown videos dating back to the ‘70’s, for example.

One thing that online classes and most traditional classes cannot offer, however, is behind-the-wheel experience. For that, www.racingschools.com is the best option. In the very near future we are going to roll out an affordable and exciting fundamentals maneuvering course that will help to improve your driving skills. In addition to helping to clear your driving record.

The final word? If there is time, and the student is disciplined, then the behind-wheel- experience is the way to go, while for those who learn better in a social setting, or waited for the last minute to even take a class, the traditional approach is better. It all depends on what is right for the student. If you need information on new cars, go to www.carseek.com for all your auto research needs.