Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Don't Miss More Work! Take Your DUI Class Online Today

It is up to all of us to prevent drunk driving. No matter who you are, if you have a license, you can help others by staying sober and offering to drive or by relinquishing control to another sober person if you have been drinking. According to drinkinganddriving.org, 90% of all drunk driving happens after drinking with family, friends and co-workers. Most of us have a drink or two and think that we are still safe to get behind the wheel. This is inaccurate. It doesn’t take much to get our BAC levels above .08%, so instead of chancing it with the law and the safety of others, either plan ahead to have a sober driver or get a taxi.

Taking this action can not only save a life, but spare you the harsh reality of receiving a DUI violation. The law does not tread lightly on this offense. An average DUI that doesn’t cause any damage or injure anyone is expensive. In California it looks like this:

1) Fines – expect to pay somewhere between $390 and $1,200. This is up to your judge based on the severity of the circumstances.

2) Attorneys Fees – lawyer costs will range from $500.00 - $10,000. A good, high profile DUI attorney will charge on the higher end.

3) Insurance Rates – a DUI offense will also increase the amount you pay for car insurance. Expect an increase that lands you between $3,600 and $6,600 for at least 3 years.

4) Standard Costs – there are also additional charges based on the state you are caught in. They include penalty assessments, state restitution fund, alcohol-abuse education funds, license reissue fees, towing and storage, etc. All of these additional fees generally add up to another $1,500 - $2,000.

So, you are looking at costs adding up to between $6,000 and $19,500 depending on the city and state. At this point, your life has been sent into turmoil because you’ve had to meet with attorneys, attend court dates, and possible community service work. And, with all these costs, you can’t afford to miss another day of work to attend the DUI/alcohol and drug awareness classes that the court has mandated.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel! One solution is to take your DUI class on your computer instead of missing more work to attend a pre-determined traditional classroom schedule. Online classes are easy to use and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply ask your judge for approval to fulfill your alcohol and drug education classes online. Then you simply register for the length of class the court has ordered and you are on your way. Topic and chapter divide the programs, with a final exam at the end of the course.

When you have successfully finished the course, a Certificate of Completion is sent out to you. This is the official documentation that the court needs to see that proves you took the appropriate class. Taking an online DUI class is definitely the most convenient, educational and low-stress way of handling your court mandated alcohol and drug education.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Top Reasons Why You Will Love An Online DUI Class!

In an attempt to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road, most jurisdictions will mandate that a DUI offender take an alcohol and drug education class as part of their retribution.

These classes provide participants an opportunity to address problems that they have in their lives with drug and alcohol abuse. They are also designed to enable participants to learn and understand new ways to change their behavior. The end goal is to encourage positive lifestyle changes so the offender does not repeat the behavior.

Online DUI classes have increasingly become a popular way to fulfill court mandates for alcohol and drug education related to a DUI violation. Thousands of individuals have successfully taken these classes because they offer the following list of benefits:

1) Instant access.

Once you enroll, the class becomes immediately available on the screen in front of you from any Internet connected computer device.

2) Availability.

Online classes can be sourced from a WIFI hotspot in the U.S. This is extremely helpful for people who travel for a living, or have moved to a different state than the offense was cited in. For example, if the offense happened in Nebraska, but you now live in Florida, judges will often understand that it’s impossible to get back to take a class and will let you take them online.

3) Self-paced.

Clients can login and out of the online course as many times as they would like. There is no predetermined schedule to follow. The class is taken at your own pace and is available to you at any time of the day or night.

4) Nothing to print out or download.

There are no books or pages to print out. All the material is on the computer. Clients therefore do not need access to a printer and do not need to be sitting at a desk.

5) 100% Guarantee.

Look for an online DUI class that offers a 100% guarantee. This means that if the class is not accepted by your court system, you can get a full refund with written proof of denial within 60 days.

6) Proof of enrollment and Certificate of Completion.

A high quality online class will provide you with information that you can show your probation officer or judge to prove you have enrolled in the class. Clients receive a free Certificate of Completion when the class is successfully finished. This is the documentation that is shown to the court system to prove the mandate was fulfilled.

7) Easy to use.

Online classes have become increasingly popular because people today are often very comfortable on a computer. Classes are designed to be simple for those who have little to no experience with a computer. Directions are clear and clients simply scroll through the pages to learn the material.

8) Interesting and informative.

Be discriminating. Look for a class that is designed by a currently licensed and practicing psychotherapist to insure that you will learn the most up-to-date information and skills in the world of alcohol and drug education. Testimonials agree that participants are pleased with the course content.

If you have received a DUI, check with your court system today to find out if they will accept an online DUI to fulfill your court requirements. This is the most relaxed, convenient and educational way to put this mistake behind you.

Monday, February 4, 2013

DUI Classes Online Help Those Arrested For Driving Under the Influence

Every week we read about high profile DUI arrests and convictions. Whether it is Lindsay Lohan, Randy Travis or one of the many athletes pulled over for drunk driving, their behavior keeps the conversation going across the nation. The bottom line is that no one should get behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking alcohol. There are 3 main reasons that an individual might be arrested for DUI. They include:

1) First hand observation by a police officer.

This is the most common way of getting a DUI citation. A police officer will witness the symptoms of drunk driving like swerving, driving too fast or too slow, or causing an accident. Or, the officer has seen an actual traffic violation like going through a red light. The driver will be pulled over and given a field sobriety test or a breath test to determine BAC.

2) A probable cause.

If an officer believes that facts or circumstances surrounding a situation will lead an individual to commit the crime, the officer can place the individual under arrest. This is when there is reasonable belief like the police officer has observed someone stumbling out of a bar and getting behind the wheel, or if someone who smells of alcohol, refuses a breath test. The officer can arrest based on probable cause.

3) DUI arrest warrant.

A judge can issue a warrant if a police officer gives a sworn statement with reasons for the arrest. This gives the officer the permission to go out and arrest the person named in the warrant.

Once you are arrested for DUI in one of these ways, you will usually be taken to the local police station for booking. In some cases, the individual will have to wait in jail, his car will be impounded, and a lawyer will need to be hired. A court hearing will be set for another date. If convicted, a first-time offender generally has to pay fines, have his license revoked for a period of time, do community service work and take a DUI education class. In some states, an ignition interlock device will be installed into the offender’s car for a designated period of time. This individual will have to breathe into this device to determine his BAC level every time he/she wants to start the car.

In the best case scenario, no one else has been hurt and the offender can reflect and perform restitution for the behavior by taking a high quality alcohol awareness class. The judge’s goal in assigning these classes is to help reform the offender so he doesn’t repeat the behavior.

Online DUI classes are a reliable, affordable and relevant way to fulfill this court requirement. Check with your judge or court system to see if they will accept distance-learning classes instead of having to attend an in-person classroom. This will enable you the convenience of taking the class from your own home. Don’t just look for the cheapest class, but one that is designed and managed by a licensed and practicing therapist and specialist in the field of alcohol and drug awareness. This will insure that you’re getting a current and effective education. And, it may help sway the court to allow you to take the course online. Taking an online class is one way of making your life a little easier during this stressful time.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Online DUI Classes Are Available If You Get Cited This Super Bowl Sunday

In line with holidays like Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday ranks at the top for one of the biggest drinking days of the year. And, one of the deadliest. In 2010, the NHTSA reported that 40% of the fatal crashes on Super Bowl Sunday were due to drunk driving. On that day, alcohol contributed to a fatal accident every 52 seconds. MADD and police departments across the country are asking/begging drivers to choose a designated driver, before choosing a drink! Hand off your keys to someone else who is sober, to help keep your passengers and everyone on the roads stay safe.

Often Super Bowl parties are focused around drinking. In 2009, nearly 50 million cases of beer were consumed! If you are hosting a party, part of your responsibility is to help guests get home safely. Here are some tips to do just that:

1) Collect car keys as guests arrive

2) Identify designated drivers

3) Serve plenty of healthy and hearty food choices

4) Offer a variety of delicious non-alcoholic drinks besides water

5) Stop serving alcohol as the third quarter commences

6) Bring out new food during the second half and introduce coffee and water

7) Be prepared to invite intoxicated guests to sleepover

8) Have the number to a taxi service on hand

Getting a DUI is a serious crime all over the U.S. Judges do not look lightly at this offense and most first-time DUI citations will include some jail time, license suspension, community service work and alcohol and drug education classes. You will also have to dive into your bank account to pay fines and legal costs involved with hiring an attorney.

If you have been caught for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is possible in many jurisdictions to fulfill your court mandated DUI class online. Just check with your judge, probation officer or clerk first to make sure it is accepted for your circumstances. Taking a distance-learning class enables the client to enroll for the class on the website from any Internet based computer within the 50 states. The class then becomes immediately available on the screen in front of you. There is nothing to print out, no books to purchase, and nothing to download. Basic computer skills and a motivation to learn are all you need to scroll through and complete the course.

Online classes are perfect for people who are too busy to meet someone else’s pre-determined classroom schedule, for people who travel for business and for those who would rather not sit in a classroom full of strangers. Once you register, you can access the class at any time of the day or night so it doesn’t need to interfere with work, school or family time. You can take the class from anywhere you have web access like the library, a hotel room, or a coffee shop.

At the end of the course, you will take a multiple-choice final exam. You can go back and review the class and re-take the test if you don’t pass with a 70% or better the first time. After you pass, a Certificate of Completion will be sent to you to show the legal system that you successfully fulfilled the requirements.

Be careful not to drink and drive this Super Bowl Sunday, but if you do and are caught for a DUI offense, look into DUI classes online. You will get an excellent alcohol and drug education in a timely manner!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Take A DUI Class Online For That One Mistake

If there’s a question in your mind as to whether it’s okay to drink and drive after “just one” drink, the answer is no. It’s not about how you feel, or even if you’re legally intoxicated because numerous research has shown that impairment starts before your BAC level reaches .08. In fact, studies reveal that even at a .02 BAC level, people can begin to relax and experience some loss of judgment. At this level you can already lose the ability to track a moving object and a lower ability to do two tasks at once like watching the road and driving. Furthermore, at a .05 BAC level a person begins to have reduced coordination, more difficulty tracking moving objects and a slower reaction time.

By the time the BAC level reaches .08, which is generally 2 drinks for a 120 pound woman and 4 drinks for an 180 pound man, the individual has poor muscle coordination which affects speech, sight, hearing, reaction time and balance. The reasoning, memory and decision-making abilities are diminished as well. This slower reaction time translates to a hazardous driver behind the wheel. The individual may not even notice or realize it, but he can be deadly to himself and others.

The best solution is to simply make sure that you don’t get behind the wheel when out drinking. You’ve heard it a million times, but to spare yourself the danger and heartache of a possible accident or the hassle of a DUI ticket, designate a sober driver or hire a taxi.

If you’ve made the unfortunate mistake of driving while under the influence and been caught, most judges will require DUI or alcohol awareness classes as part of the punishment. One way to accomplish this is to take them online. These distance-learning classes are available from any Internet based computer, in any of the 50 states.

There are a number benefits to taking a course on your computer. First of all, you will save yourself the time and hassle it takes to get to a traditional classroom. If your licensed has been revoked, it will save you from having to find a friend or pay for a driver to get you there. Furthermore, once you register for the course, it will become immediately available to you on your computer screen. This enables you to take the class whenever you have free time so you don’t have to miss any work or school time. It also gives you the opportunity to take the class at a faster pace then you would if you had to follow a traditional schedule. Specifically, a 16 -hour in-person class could take 4 months to finish. 16-hour online alcohol and drug awareness classes or DUI classes can be finished in one weekend if necessary.

We suggest that all clients get prior approval from their judge, probation officer or legal system to take an online class. Some jurisdictions across the country might not expect offenders to attend classes in-person, so double-check to make sure this way of learning will be accepted by your court.

Take an online DUI class today for an interesting educational experience and a more convenient format!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Drug Related DUI Offenders Can Take Online DUI Classes For Court Mandates

While alcohol-related DUI arrests have gone up nationally due to increased police surveillance and intervention, there is less talk about substance abuse arrests due to drugs. DMV records show that in some states like California, the number of traffic deaths due to drugs has grown over the past few years. In fact, according to the OC Register, a recent survey of California drivers found that nearly 1 in 7 had illegal or prescription drugs in their system that could alter the accuracy of their ability behind the wheel. As a response to this, the state has awarded Orange County $480,000 to among other things, train more police officers as drug experts. Trained police officers look for clenched jaws to pick out meth user, slow pulse rates in heroin users and that someone who is under the influence of cocaine might talk so fast that they can get from one-one-thousand to 30 in about 10 seconds. New machines have also been paid for from Drug Safety grants that can measure the concentration of drugs like Xanax, Ambien and Valium in the system.

The goal of all this awareness is of course to keep our streets safer from drivers under the influence. If you have received a DUI ticket and have been court mandated to take an alcohol education class, take one online! The Internet is now a great resource for you to use to fulfill class requirements so you don’t have to worry about finding the time in your busy schedule to attend an in-person class. Online alcohol and drug awareness classes or DUI classes are designed with all the same material that you learn in a traditional classroom, but at your fingertips instead. They are available to take in 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 24-hour increments which is the same as having to take an 8 week, or 10 week, etc. class. The bonus is that if you are in a rush to meet a deadline for this requirement, you can take an online class at your own pace instead of someone else’s. Specifically, instead of having to take an 8-week class over a period of 2 months, you can finish all 8 hours in one day if you would like.

Once you enroll, the entire class is available immediately on the Internet-based computer screen in front of you. Nothing needs to be printed out, so you can be sitting in the comfortable environment of the couch in your family room. You simply scroll through the class and learn the information. At the end a multiple choice final exam is issued. A 70% or better insures that you have passed the course and the test can be retaken if necessary. Upon passing the final, a certificate of completion will be sent out to you. This is the documentation you show to the legal system to prove you completed the requirement. You can choose a variety of shipping methods to receive this certificate from regular mail to overnight service. If you can’t wait for the hardcopy and need to prove to the judge that you finished the program more quickly, you can also download it from your computer.

Heightened awareness by police departments across the country is going to result in more DUI citations in 2013. If you’ve been caught, check with your judge to get his prior approval for a distance learning class. If he or she approves, take your alcohol and drug class requirement online to help simplify your life. Please drive safely!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Increased Police Surveillance Sends More Offenders To DUI Classes

The AAA reports that New Year’s morning is usually the deadliest for alcohol-related crashes. However, this year many cities reported that arrests were actually down from last year, crediting increased police surveillance and awareness. In Charlottesville, Virginia, the police department actually handed out flyers that told people how much a DUI citation would cost them. However, in contrast, some states like Arizona and Georgia, report statistics show an increase in DUI arrests over the recent holiday.

In fact, watch out if you think that you can quickly and safely get home after a night of partying in Arizona. According to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the police arrested 27,710 motorists on suspicion of DUI in 2012 and this number doesn’t even include the dates of Dec. 27 – 31 st. This increase in DUI arrests can directly be attributed to an increase in spending by the state on police enforcement. Organizations throughout the country are pushing for harsher laws for DUI offenders. In Arizona, if you are caught for a DUI, the offender can expect possible penalties like a minimum $250 fine, a 90 day driver’s license suspension, community service, installation of an ignition interlock device, alcohol and drug screening and a court ordered alcohol and drug education program.

To avoid all this in 2013, take the time to enroll in an online alcohol and drug awareness program to improve your quality of life. If you’ve taken a good introspective look at your behavior this past year and are ready to make a change, online alcohol classes are available to give you complete privacy in obtaining this goal. Clients can choose an 8, 10, 12, 16 or 24 hour class that covers topics such as the short and long-term health risks of alcohol and drug abuse, how alcohol effects your ability to drive, how alcohol abuse affects loved ones, and most importantly, you will learn skills to overcome use, abuse and addiction.

If you are unfortunately part of the increase in DUI arrests in 2012, alcohol and drug awareness classes online are also available to fulfill court mandated education requirements. Choose a high quality DUI class that is designed by a licensed and practicing psychotherapist to insure that the program will be interesting, and complete with the most current techniques and skills to help individuals stay sober.

Prior to enrolling in any online DUI class, be sure to check with your judge or court system to make sure that it will be accepted. If so, simply go on to www.alcoholdrugclass.com and register for the length of class necessary to fulfill your mandate. Upon registration, the class will be immediately available to you 24/7. This gives you the flexibility you need to complete the course whenever you have free time without having to miss any more work or school. All you need is a computer device like a PC, laptop or Ipad with an Internet connection. Nothing needs to be printed out or downloaded so you can complete the course from any hotel, coffee shop, home or library that has WIFI compatibility. Online classes also give you complete privacy and anonymity so no one in the community will observe you going into a public classroom.

Stop convincing yourself that you can continue to get away with drinking and driving. Other states are currently looking at more severe DUI laws like the ones in Arizona and with the increased focus comes the increase in likelihood of getting caught. Take an online DUI or alcohol awareness class today!