Defensive driving is an essential skill for safe travel, especially during the holiday season. In the U.S., about 41,000 people died in motor-vehicle crashes in 2023, and the national fatality rate was roughly 1.26 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled—both improvements from the prior year (IIHS summary of FARS). About 31% of all crash deaths involved an alcohol-impaired driver, which corresponds to roughly 13,000 fatalities in 2023 (IIHS alcohol-impaired driving).
In recent data, speeding contributes to one-quarter to one-third of all motor-vehicle fatalities. Authoritative breakdowns for 2023 indicate speeding was a factor in about 28–29% of U.S. crash deaths (IIHS speeding facts). Early estimates for 2024 from NHTSA indicate further declines in fatalities and the fatality rate compared with the same periods of 2023 (NHTSA early estimates). Aggressive driving is a significant contributor to crashes, with varying national shares of traffic fatalities each year; however, use official sources like IIHS and NHTSA for current percentages by contributing factor.
- Risky driving behaviors are common in serious crashes: in 2023, alcohol impairment accounted for about 31% of all traffic deaths and speeding for roughly 28–29% (IIHS alcohol; IIHS speeding), as driving statistics indicate.
- The first year of licensure is the highest risk period for drivers. Research also shows traditional driver education alone has not reduced teen crash rates; the largest safety gains for novices come from strong graduated driver licensing systems (IIHS: driver education).
- Driver-related factors dominate fatal-crash involvement; current data attribute about 31% of deaths to alcohol impairment and about 28–29% to speeding in 2023 (IIHS alcohol; IIHS speeding), building on prior research into distraction and other human factors (VTTI research).
As drivers head out for holiday celebrations, practicing defensive driving is crucial. NSC defines holiday analysis windows as 4.25 days for New Year’s, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving, and 3.25 days for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Christmas (NSC holiday methodology). New Year’s and Independence Day typically post the highest average daily fatalities; 2025 estimates are posted by NSC a few weeks in advance of each holiday (NSC New Year’s; NSC Christmas). NHTSA’s seasonal enforcement underscores elevated alcohol involvement in these periods (Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over).
What Is Defensive Driving?
Sa El, co-founder of Simply Insurance, explains that defensive driving courses teach you road rules and how to drive for others. These courses aim to enhance your understanding of road interactions and decision-making at critical points, like four-way stops, with emphasis on hazard anticipation, space management, and speed control.
Melanie Musson, from 4 Auto Insurance Quote, emphasizes that these courses review critical driving techniques to foster better driving habits. Evidence reviews rate general driver-improvement programs as having limited or uncertain crash-reduction effects overall, while targeted offender retraining (e.g., speed-awareness) shows measurable reductions in reoffending and small decreases in subsequent collisions (NHTSA Countermeasures That Work, 2024; UK NSAC evaluation).
The National Safety Council, a safety organization chartered by Congress, has trained millions of drivers since the 1960s and now offers core online programs for individuals and fleets (NSC online defensive driving). Many jurisdictions formally recognize online delivery—e.g., New York’s PIRP and California Traffic Violator School accept approved online courses (NY PIRP; CA Traffic Violator School)—alongside providers like Aceable.
Completing a defensive driving course is a proactive step toward improving hazard perception and decision-making. Keep in mind, though, that broad crash reductions from general courses are typically modest; meanwhile, NHTSA’s early estimates point to continued declines in fatalities and death rates through 2024 versus 2023 (NHTSA early estimates).
Benefits of Taking a Defensive Driving Course
Aceable’s Adams highlights that defensive driving courses offer state-specific benefits, such as preventing points on your driving record and qualifying for insurance discounts. Examples include New York’s mandated 10% base-rate reduction for three years via PIRP (plus up to 4 points of relief for penalty purposes), New Jersey’s 2-point reduction and insurer-dependent discount eligibility, and mature-driver discounts mandated in states like Florida and Pennsylvania (NY PIRP; NJ MVC; Florida mature-driver discount; PennDOT mature-driver program).
Physical Safety
These courses emphasize physical safety—scanning, following distance, and speed/space management—to help you reach your destination without incident. Systematic reviews find limited or uncertain crash-reduction effects for generic programs, while hazard-perception and offender-focused retraining can produce modest improvements in safety-relevant behaviors (NHTSA Countermeasures That Work).
A defensive driving course can also mitigate penalties from traffic tickets by preventing point accumulation or providing record relief where allowed. Representative rules: New York PIRP offers up to 4 points of relief (convictions remain) (NY PIRP); New Jersey removes 2 points (once every 5 years) (NJ MVC); California Traffic Violator School masks one eligible conviction from public view, generally once every 18 months (CA DMV); Arizona’s court-run program can dismiss one eligible civil citation, typically once every 12 months (AZ Courts); Georgia allows up to 7 points reduction once every 5 years (GA DDS); Indiana grants a 4-point credit once every 3 years for completing a Driver Safety Program (IN BMV); Florida’s Basic Driver Improvement election helps eligible drivers avoid points and certain insurance consequences for one violation, generally once every 12 months (FLHSMV BDI).
Auto Insurance Discounts
Defensive driving can lead to significant savings on car insurance rates. In practice, many insurers apply a 5–10% discount for about three years when you complete an approved course; some states mandate minimums and terms. For example, New York requires a 10% reduction in the base rate of specified coverages for three years, Florida requires at least 5% for drivers 55+ for three years (subject to conditions), and Pennsylvania mandates at least 5% for drivers 55+ for three years with a refresher for renewal (NY PIRP; Florida statute; PennDOT).
George Birrell, CPA, notes that by demonstrating safer driving practices, drivers may benefit from reduced premiums. Major carriers offer state-dependent defensive driving discounts and typically require a completion certificate; terms often align to a three-year cycle and may apply to specific base-rate coverages (liability/PIP). Check your insurer’s rules and accepted providers (GEICO; State Farm; Progressive; Allstate).
Musson also highlights the financial benefits of defensive driving, including the potential to dismiss or mask eligible tickets and avoid costly fines where permitted. Examples: California masks one eligible conviction when you complete Traffic Violator School (CA DMV); Arizona allows dismissal of one eligible civil citation (AZ Courts); New Jersey provides a 2-point reduction and insurer‑dependent discounts (NJ MVC); Georgia and Indiana offer periodic point reductions/credits (GA DDS; IN BMV).
Defensive Driving During the Holidays
The holiday season presents unique driving challenges due to higher travel exposure and elevated impairment risk. NSC’s holiday methodology uses 3.25‑ or 4.25‑day windows and typically forecasts several hundred traffic deaths for each major holiday; for context, recent ranges include roughly 550–650 deaths for the 4.25‑day Independence Day period and about 330–420 for the 3.25‑day Christmas period. Find the current 2025 estimates and period definitions on NSC’s Injury Facts pages (NSC holiday estimates; NSC New Year’s; NSC Christmas), and pair plans with AAA’s travel forecasts for peak drive times and volumes (AAA newsroom). NHTSA emphasizes heightened impaired-driving risk during the year-end period (Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over).
Adams advises planning ahead, staying focused, and avoiding impaired driving to ensure holiday travel safety. Build in extra time, verify eligibility if you plan to use a course for ticket relief, and time departures around forecasted congestion from AAA’s pre-holiday reports (AAA travel forecasts).
- Plan your route and check road weather updates before driving.
- Avoid distractions by putting away mobile devices.
- Always have a sober-ride plan to avoid DUI-related consequences.
Musson stresses that even experienced drivers benefit from a refresher, helping them identify and avoid potentially dangerous situations more effectively—especially understanding the limits of modern driver-assistance features and the need for constant attention (NHTSA: driver assistance technologies).
The Bottom Line
Proactive safety measures during the holidays help prevent crashes, and state-recognized defensive driving programs offer concrete administrative and financial benefits—such as point relief or ticket masking/dismissal in eligible cases and multi‑year insurance discounts (often 5–10% for three years) (NY PIRP; NJ MVC; Florida mature drivers; PennDOT).
In summary, investing in a defensive driving course can build awareness and deliver real savings where recognized by law or insurer rules—while broader crash reductions from general courses are usually modest (NHTSA evidence review). Current safety data show alcohol impairment (≈31%) and speeding (≈28–29%) remain leading contributors to U.S. traffic deaths (IIHS alcohol; IIHS speeding), with NHTSA reporting additional declines in 2024 preliminaries (NHTSA early estimates).
It’s money well spent.
