What is NY Doing to Help Prevent Auto Accidents?

The more drivers know about defensive driving, the better they can avoid accidents on busy New York roads. This is why the state requires some drivers to go to driving school when they have too many infractions on their records. However even individuals with good driving records can learn new habits that can make every trip safer, and at the same time obtain benefits for their efforts.

To encourage all drivers to obtain this important training, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operates a Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP). By taking one of the approved training courses, drivers can take up to four points off their violation point total, and save ten percent on automobile liability and collision insurance premiums.

After a driver successfully completes one of the approved classroom or online courses, the PIRP sponsor notifies the DMV, which applies a point reduction to the points assessed for violations within the 18 months prior to completion of the course. Although most violations and points continue to show on the record, the DMV considers up to four points when making decisions on license revocation or suspension.

When a driver receives a certificate from the course, he or she has 90 days after course completion to submit it to the insurance company, which issues a three-year, ten percent reduction to the base rate of current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

The courses take as little as 320 minutes to complete, making them a reasonable time investment for drivers who want to save some money and stay safe on the roads and protect themselves in the event of a car accident.