SECTION # 1

Important: Once you read Section 1, in order to take the Section 1 quiz:

1. Click the "Take Quiz/View Progress Report" button at the end of the material to return to the "Progress Report"

2. From the "Progress Report, select "Take Quiz".  Please note that you must repeat this step each time that you fail a quiz.

Driver Improvement Program/Your Driving Record

Between 6-8 AM, what were you doing? 

You probably got up, brushed your teeth, got ready for work or school, and grabbed some breakfast. 

8 people died in car crashes.  8 families were devestated.    

Between 8-10 AM, what were you doing?

You may have been driving to work, checking your email, helping a customer, or talking with your friends. 

8 more people died in car crashes. 8 more families were devestated. 

Between 10 AM - 12 PM, what were you doing? 

You might have texted your friends, made lunch plans and talked about last night's game. 

8 more people died in car crashes. 8 more families were devestated. 

An average of 93 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes in 2009. 

Choose NOT to be one of 93.

WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS

Your required participation in this program should be considered an "early warning" for you to re-evaluate your driving habits. If you accumulate 5 or more points on your driving record during a 2 year period, you will be required to complete a Maryland Driver Improvement Program.

If you are online to complete a Driver Improvement Program, it's likely you have accumulated at least 5 points or have been referred by one of the following:

A. COURTS

In some cases, judges assign individuals to this program when they appear for motor vehicle violations.

B. HEARING

Persons who have appeared before an Administrative Law Judge for a hearing may be assigned because of several violations. Persons in this group are scheduled with the understanding that there may be a suspension of their driving privilege should they fail to complete this program.

C. SUSPENSION

Persons may be scheduled whose license has been suspended.

D. REVOKED

Many drivers who have been revoked are required to complete this class before their license is considered for reinstatement.

E. PROVISIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE (GLS)

Persons holding a Provisional Drivers License under the Graduated License System (GLS) will be assigned to the Driver Improvement Program upon being convicted of their first moving violation, regardless of age.

PURPOSE OF THE DIP PROGRAM

The purpose of this DIP program is to motivate you to drive more safely to help you recognize the basis of your own driving problems so that you can take immediate corrective action and to tell you what will happen if you fail to make the necessary improvements in your driving habits.

WHAT DO THE POINTS MEAN ?

Maryland Law provides for the assessment of points to the driving records of individuals who are convicted of traffic offenses. The Point System, which is an objective method for identifying drivers in need of improvement, specifies certain administrative actions at various point levels - the higher the points, the more severe the action. Points remain active on the driving record for two years from the date of violation. To work your way out of the system, all points must be expired and you must drive violation-free for two years from the date of your last conviction.

The objectives of the point system are to:

      1. identify drivers with a record of convictions and collisions

      2. change drivers behavior, and

      3. impose sanctions.

The Point System will be discussed in greater detail later in the course.

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

All of you have heard the term "AGGRESSIVE DRIVER". There has been an effort by State officials to curb aggressive driving; therefore a new law was passed in the 2001 legislative session. The new law is titled "Aggressive Driving," which is defined as a combination of 3 or more offenses committed at the same time or during a single and continuous period of driving which include; running a red light, overtaking and passing a vehicle in an unsafe manner, passing on the right, following too closely, failing to yield the right of way, and exceeding the speed limit. Conviction of aggressive driving would result in 5 points being assessed to the driving record.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that roughly one-third of all motor vehicle crashes and about two-thirds of the roughly 33,000 crash fatalities that occur each year can be attributed to aggressive driving behavior.

Maryland, which is at the forefront on aggressive-driving enforcement, started its program in 1995 and credited it with bringing the driver fatality rate down 22 percent. In 1997, Maryland teamed up with Virginia and Washington, D.C., on the largest campaign yet, after a spate of grisly accidents in the region were pegged to aggressive driving. Sixteen police agencies participated in "Smooth Operator", as it was known, and as many officers were assigned solely to aggressive driving enforcement on the Capital Beltway. Police conducted four highly publicized one-week enforcement waves in 1997, netting more than 61,000 traffic citations and warnings. A sizable chunk of those were for the traditional nemesis...speeding...but fully 13,000 were associated with other aggressive-driving behaviors (Governing Magazine, March 1998).

REASONS FOR VIOLATIONS AND CRASHES

Here are some frequent causes of negligent driving, violations, and crashes. As you read them, see if you recognize any that might describe your driving problems:

Lack of Courtesy - Courtesy is nothing more than showing respect for the rights and privileges of others using the highways. It is a simple matter of displaying good manners while driving.

Distracted Driving - Distracted driving is anything that takes youreyes off the road, yourhands off the steering wheel or your mond away from the driving task. Thus making it very difficult for evaluating the traffic conditions around you and keeping you from responding when an emergency exists. An example of inattention is using a cellular phone while driving. Driving does require your full attention at all times. NEW LAW 10/13-driver prohibited from using a hand held cell phone for talking or texting. 1st offesnse is $75-no points- it's now a primary offense. (if contributing to an ccident 3 points). No TV/video may be visible to the driver.

Impatience - To practice patience is a must, especially with the amount of traffic we have on our highways today. We have to expect traffic tie-ups from time to time, going to work, holidays, weekends, etc. A simple solution is leaving earlier and adjusting your schedule accordingly.

Emotions - If you have an emotional problem your mind is preoccupied because you are worried about someone who may be ill, have financial problems, family quarrels, etc., this is when you are most accident-prone. If you are in this condition, allow someone else to drive for you; or maybe just wait until the problem has been eliminated, then drive.

Lack of Knowledge of the Law - Simply not knowing what is expected and required in driving situations.

Inability - Not able to keep pace with changing traffic patterns and complex driving conditions. As may be the case of someone who has moved from a rural to an urban area.

Resentment of Authority - Not willing to accept the law as it pertains to safe driving.

Immaturity - Lack of personal restraint and the tendency to act on impulse, take risks, and perform aggressively, especially in the company of other persons.

Decreased Alertness - Poor judgment, affected vision, inattention and reaction time slowed by alcohol or other drugs, fatigue, or illness such as: headache, indigestion, sore throat, aching tooth, influenza, infections, upset stomach, fever, or allergies.

Anger - One important factor in safe driving is to keep from becoming angry because of actions by other drivers.

If any of these conditions have contributed to your driving problems, an important first step would be to make the appropriate adjustments - a change in attitude, or compensation for your poor physical or mental state by exerting conscious and continuous control over the driving task, or getting additional driving instruction or help from the appropriate health care provider. Along with your commitment to change, this program can help to increase your knowledge of Maryland's Motor Vehicle Laws so that you can protect your driving privilege.

Remember, anger and driving don't mix. Behind the wheel is no place for aggression - shoulder passing, manic lane changers, speeders, zig zaggers all lead to a pathology only recently named: Road Rage (Readers Digest Magazine, March 1998). Here are some suggestions from the AAA to avoid Road Rage:

      1. Be courteous behind the wheel.

      2. Don't honk your horn excessively.

      3. Don't block the passing lane.

      4. Don't switch lanes without signaling first.

      5. Don't take up more than one parking spot.

      6. Don't let your door hit the car parked next to you.

      7. Don't tailgate.

      8. Avoid unnecessary use of high beam headlights.

      9. Don't inflict your loud music on nearby cars.

    10. Allow plenty of time for every trip.

DRIVING PRIVILEGE

Although some will argue the point, driving on public highways is a privilege - not a right. The privilege to drive carries with it a personal responsibility for highway safety. You retain your privilege to operate a motor vehicle if you obey the laws. As long as the privilege is not abused, the driver's license remains in good standing.

It is not legal to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this State or any other state without a valid driver's license.

In Maryland, your license to drive is granted by the Motor Vehicle Administration and you are required to have it in your possession every time you drive. Your driver's license is probably used more often for identification purposes than any other card in your possession. It's a valuable document - and like anything valuable, it must be protected. Your license must be renewed every 8 years, on your birth date. You are required to appear in person each time to have your vision tested and to be re-photographed The process is usually completed in several minutes. In the event your license expires,you have one year to renew it. Beyond one year, you will have to go through the same process as a new driver applicant: submit an application for a new license, and take the vision, law and driving tests.

You may feel that your violations were not too serious, but according to highway safety experts, there is no such thing as a "minor violation". Persons killed as a result of "minor" and "major" violations are equally deadly. As an example: Suppose you routinely fail to come to a complete stop at a particular stop sign and one day an officer issues a summons. Since nothing happened, do you consider it to be a "minor" violation? Suppose however, several days later you go through the same stop sign, but this time a child steps out in front of your vehicle too late for you to stop. It's still the same violation - only the results have changed.

 POINT SYSTEM

As previously mentioned, one of the ways the MVA identifies unsafe drivers is under the Point System. Point values for moving violations are specified by Maryland Vehicle Law and regulations.

MUST HAVE A CONVICTION

Points are assessed upon conviction of a traffic offense. You should be aware that the term "conviction" includes payment of a fine without a court appearance - in such a case, you have admitted guilt to that violation. The violation and point assessment is recorded on your driving record.

CONVICTION WITH MULTIPLE CHARGES

Whenever convictions occur on multiple charges committed at the same time, points are assessed only to the violation that has the highest point value. However, all convictions of violations will be recorded on the driving record, which, by the way, is available not only to the MVA but to law enforcement, courts, administrative law judges, insurance companies, and in some cases the general public. You will learn more about your driving record later.

Points assessed to a record will be valid for a period of two years starting from the actual date of the violation (issuance of the summons).

The law states that at certain point levels within a two-year period, the following actions must be taken against your driving privilege:

• THREE POINTS - WARNING - At 3 or 4 points, a warning letter is sent by the MVA, informing offenders that their driving is in need of improvement and of the consequences of continued violations.

• FIVE POINTS -  At the 5, 6, or 7 point level, the driver is required to complete a Driver Improvement Program or be suspended until he/she complies.
• EIGHT POINTS - SUSPENSION -At 8 points, the law states that the driver shall be notified by mail of the suspension of his/her driving privilege. The driver has the right to a hearing if one is requested, in writing, within 15 days of the notice date. When the suspension is imposed, the driving privilege is taken away for a pre-determined period of time. The period of suspension begins when the license is received by the MVA. The license must be surrendered to the MVA where it will be destroyed. At the end of the suspension period, the driver must go to an MVA office to get a new license and pay the required fee.
• Say goodbye to your license when you accumulate 8 points!