Defensive driving class designed for
improvement, insurance saving
October 17, 2005
by Jordan
Beeson
Crusader Staff
Seward County Community College has added a defensive
driving class to its list of available classes.
The class, which was added to the college's curriculum
this fall, came about because SCCC felt it important to try
and reduce the number of driving accidents in the Liberal area.
The class is offered once a month on a Saturday
and takes six hours to complete. The class is also worth half
a college credit at SCCC. Grading is based entirely on class
participation, and criteria consists of videos, drawings, lectures
and a magnetic board for driving scenarios.
Taking the defensive driving course not only strives
to improve the students' driving abilities, but it will save
students or students' parents insurance costs. The amount of
money saved depends on the insurance company and the age of
the driver. Benefits for persons living in Kansas are five percent,
and most local companies are 2-10 percent.
SCCC has promoted the course through posting e-mails
to the staff and faculty members and placing posters up around
the campus.
Instructor Jodie McCarthy is trying to convince
probation officers, judges and county attorneys to change the
punishment for those convicted of traffic violations. He feels
that forcing them to take the defensive driving course is better
than putting them on probation.
"Also, it might be beneficial to the surrounding
school districts to make it mandatory for their bus drivers
to take the class," he said.
McCarthy thinks the class will result in all around
improvement of driving.
"Generally the class would make them a better driver,
and also if the driver does actually get into a wreck, the school
board would have the benefit of saying that they did make the
driver take the course, possibly to help them out in case of
a law suit," he said.
The class is approved by the National Safety Council,
and McCarthy has been authorized by the State of Kansas to teach
the class. There are currently three people enrolled, but the
class needs six people to continue.
The defensive driving course is open to anyone
who can drive and costs $31.00 to take, plus books.
To enroll in the course call 629-2619
