Virginia has an old, rich history compared to many of the newer states. As one of the regions first founded by the British and first states to offer defensive driving for ticket dismissal, it’s an extremely important part of the country. Here are some interesting Virginia state facts, from the historic ages and into the modern era.

1. Virginia Colony Facts

Virginia’s Jamestown was the first of the original 13 colonies and was set up for cultivating silk. However, after silk failed as a cash crop, it was replaced by tobacco. Tobacco remains a primary cash crop of Virginia today — and one of the major contributors to the economy.

2. The Origins of Thanksgiving

Many people don’t realize that Thanksgiving is a part of Virginia history; the first Thanksgiving in North America was celebrated in Virginia in 1619. This is two years before the Plymouth Thanksgiving, which is generally known as the “first Thanksgiving.”

3. Virginia Controls the Internet

Up to 70 percent of all internet traffic is said to move through Virginia. It’s consequently considered to be the “Internet Capital” of the world as well as the East Coast Silicon Valley.

4. Shires Once Dominated

Though it may sound like something from a fantasy realm, the Virginia state map was once broken into shires — in fact, it’s the only state to have broken itself up in that way. This tradition originated from England, but later the shires were broken into (far less whimsical) counties.

5. Virginians Love Vanity Plates

Once they get out of traffic school, Virginia citizens buy vanity plates. Coming in at 16%, Virginia has the largest percentage of vanity plate vehicles on the road. It’s said that one in ten vanity plates are located in Virginia.

6. Civil War History

Museums in Virginia account for a lot of Virginia tourism, and it’s no wonder: Virginia was the site of more civil war battles than any other state. A total of 120 major battles were fought in Virginia during the Civil War, and tourists can still see some of the most popular battle fields.

7. 6.5 Million Bottles Sold

In addition to the cash crop of tobacco, Virginia also produces a lot of wine. 6.5 million bottles of wine are sold in Virginia annually, with several romantic vineyards now dotting the state.

8. In Living History

The world’s largest living history museum — Colonial Williamsburg — is situated within Virginia. If you want to see some examples of old time living, this is where you go. Authentic set pieces abound, including restored businesses, homes, and political buildings, and actors are available to educate and entertain.

9. Tough on (Traffic) Crime

Virginia has more traffic lawyers per capita than any other state — and by a significant margin. A commonly known state fact is that Virginia has some of the most stringent traffic laws within the entire country, so drivers should beware when they cross into state lines.

10. Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is the longest recreational beach in the entire world; it boasts 35 miles of coast. In fact, it currently holds a Guinness World Record for that very fact.

11. The Dogwood

Virginia doesn’t have a state flower. Rather, it has a state tree that doubles as the state flower: the dogwood tree. It’s the only state to combine both.
Virginia has such an incredible and lengthy history that these are only some of the most interesting facts. Both tourists and residents in Virginia can learn a lot about the state through the plentiful network of museums and schools.

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The debate on whether a vehicle should have a front license plate has failed to come to a solid conclusion. People
living in states that require a front license plate only seem to be content with the law. However, as your defensive driving course declares, a study by Texas
A&M done in 2012 showed that there are several pros of having two tags as opposed to having front car tags alone. Those
in favor of the law assert that a front plate for car decreases its aesthetic appeal while reducing the cost of having
an additional plate.

One Plate Is Enough

It would seem rather obvious that drivers look after their road safety. But the issue of safety is not top on the list
when a person wants the finely crafted nose of their car to be unobstructed. When a car is a vintage or a classy piece
of art, a driver will most times prefer not to have a front license plate. Some sophisticated cars such as the Lotus do
not have the capability to mount a plate on the front side. It will, therefore, come as no surprise that such car models
will be common in states such as Florida; a Florida front license plate is exempted by law. Other models such as the
Chevrolet 2014 Corvette has a front plate bracket that is removable hence, a driver can obey all state license plates
laws at all times.

Double Check That

A quick license plate lookup by state shows that only 19 states allow for vehicles to have a single rear plate while in
states such as California, a license plate is mandatory both in the front and rear. A vehicle that has a second plate
makes it easy for traffic cameras to take photographs of those running red lights and stop signs. The photographs also
enable authorities to capture toll pay defectors and those who drive off unattended parking lots and pay garages. In
addition, license plate automatic readers linked to databases enable the task of electronically tracking of scofflaws to
be simple.

The states that enforce the front license plate law, California, New York, and 29 others (see full list below), are
receiving a very large revenue due to the ticket fines collected those violating the law.
A vehicle can easily drive away scot-free in toll stations where having only one plate is state law, even as the rear
plates become unreadable. License plate readers also make it easy to locate cars that have been stolen. Police use the
technology to compare plate numbers with ‘hot list’ databases of stolen cars. Witnesses also have a higher chance of
identifying suspicious crime-oriented vehicles when such vehicles bear duo plates.

Despite these benefits of duo plates, legislature has attempted to reverse Texas front license plate law to no avail.
However, the Ohio front license plate law is still a pending issue in the state’s general assembly. The front license
plate law in California is in full effect. The states whose proposals to change to single plate are driven by the
argument, “One plate costs less than two.” A counter argument can be brought up however, that a vehicle owner is
required to replace a license plate after five years. Therefore, the cost spread over a five period is too low to be
considered a liability to vehicle owners.

The Verdict

In conclusion, adding a license plate or having a single rear license plate are campaigns that may never end. The bottom
line is that states rarely alter their license plate laws. It is likely a state such as NY front license plate may never
be changed to a rear-plate-only requirement. This is because the State is populous with high vehicle traffic volumes
that necessitate the use of license plate reader technology. In less dense States, the singular rear plates may not be a
hindrance to enforcement of traffic law and order.

States That Require Front License Plates

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California can already claim one of its own regions as the most traffic-congested in the nation, certainly not due to lack of the residents going to traffic school online. Los Angeles and the surrounding area’s dreadfully perfect combination of limited rail infrastructure and public transit systems, heavy driving culture, and sheer local and commuter population size all contribute to the hour-long drive to work (even though many morning commutes are under 6 miles). The cityis so jam-packed with single-passenger vehicles to the point that taking public transportation is almost taboo.

It comes as no surprise, then, that California, particularly due to the densely populated Los Angeles county region, has a long history of terrible automobile accidents. There were 3,435 traffic-related deaths in 2015 with motorists dying every day in southern California alone. While efforts are being made to alleviate traffic and minimize the number of vehicles on the road, the problematic area has a long way to go before it can help lower the amount of automobile deaths it contributes to the state’s record.

With the above statistics in mind, and with a heavy concentration on the southern part of the state, here are some of the worst accidents in the Golden State’s history.

November 29, 1991 – Interstate 5

A massive 93-car pileup, including 11 semi-trucks/big rigs occurred about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the state’s main north-south freeway during a traffic rush around Thanksgiving. Drivers blamed poor visibility due to dense fog and breezes of loose dirt during the drought season. Warped, charred, and crunched metal littered the scene as highway patrol officers shut down a 150-mile portion of the freeway, reporting that the accident claimed 17 lives; some of the victims burned so badly it would take days to identify them.

November 3, 2002 – Los Angeles

An early morning fog hung thick over the 710 freeway south of Los Angeles, causing a semi-truck to crash into the center concrete divider and begin a whopping 216-car collision over a two-mile stretch of highway. While injuries were reported, there were surprisingly no fatalities, only a daunting, expensive cleanup, a highway shutdown, and a long list of auto insurance claims.

November 3, 2007 – Fresno

Another dense seasonal fog caused poor visibility of about two feet, resulting in a 100-car pileup injuring a few dozen and leaving a 5-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man dead on highway 99. Though nowhere near the beginning or end of incidents like this, these driving conditions demonstrate a trend in California’s seasonal accident rates. California’s coastal regions form thick fogs in the fall and winter months, greatly increasing the accident rate for that time of year.

While the accidents explained above are only a few specific incidents, California (and again, southern California) is plagued with an above-average rate of automobile accidents and fatalities. Alongside the 3,435 automobile fatalities in 2015, 254,561 drivers were injured. The two highest age groups for fatalities were young; 15-24 and 25-36, with a total of 1,354 deaths that year.

Some accidents and conditions are beyond the control of the driver. But in especially unsafe conditions, particularly those mentioned above, it is never unreasonable to wait out the weather. Take your time! Find a coffee shop nearby and play it safe; make a mini destination out of it. California’s beautiful highways and long coastal stretches allow for a plethora of interesting tourist stops and destinations along the way to your final stop.

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You probably know Florida is home to Disney World and is nicknamed the Sunshine State. You may even know that Key West is the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and that St. Augustine is considered the oldest city in the country. If you are interested in moving to Florida consider enrolling in traffic school so you better understand the rules of the road. You can also check out some Virginia facts if you are planning a road trip. Now take a look at these 11 things you may not know about Florida.

If you think these facts are not interesting enough then read our article on fun facts about Florida.

If you are heading to Florida for Spring Break or planning a summer vacation, drive safe. Florida drivers come from all over and have different driving temperaments. Careful driving could keep you from getting into an accident. Also, learn about Florida tourist traffic traps if you plan to travel.

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California is among the states with the most courthouses in the country. With over 500 courthouses across 58 counties, they are dishing out justice to hard criminals and maintaining the laws of liberty. Without our courts, the injustices of the world and unlawful settlements would run rampant across the state.

At least that’s what we would like to think is happening behind those regal court doors.

Most of the hardball court criminals are involved in traffic-related incidents. Handled inside of a traffic court, these culprits make their persuasive arguments about wrongly being ticketed, which, most of the time, ends the same: a quick dismissal, an inevitable fine payment, and a request to enroll in traffic school. It’s like clockwork.

The cases most often heard in front of a judge pertain to violations of a motor vehicle or traffic law. A few examples of these common hearings deal with speeding, illegal parking, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a substance (DWI/DUI.) With a plethora of drivers on the California roads (places infamous for driving), you can easily predict the sheer volume of court visits. In case you can’t, it’s an enormous amount of cases seen daily.

Between 2015 to 2016 alone, there were roughly 4 million traffic-related misdemeanors and infractions filed in CA courts. You can imagine how many people walked through those court doors. With so many people attending court because of the traffic, which courts pump out the most cases in California?

San Francisco Hall of Justice

If you’ve ever driven through San Francisco, you understand why there are so many traffic violation related cases for the city. The San Francisco Hall of Justice is the primary court used to handle traffic-related crimes. Therefore, it gets the bulk of the myriad of violators. If you thought the roads in San Francisco were bumpy, the traffic cases are worse.

Glendale Courthouse

Glendale is located just northeast of Downtown Los Angeles. But, directly north of Los Angeles in the amount of traffic court cases heard. The seemingly docile city is bursting with drivers who commit traffic violations. As a result, the Glendale Courthouse sees an abundance of testifying citizens every day.

Santa Barbara Superior Court

The Santa Barbara Superior Court will get flooded with traffic violators willing to take their chance contesting a ticket in court, especially from the Santa Maria area. The smaller city may not have a lot of residents compared to other areas on this list, but they have just as many speeders. When those guys get busted, they all get funneled through Santa Barbara.

Alameda County Berkeley Courthouse

South of Oakland and east of San Francisco is the wonderful town of Berkeley. It’s most famously known for its prestigious university and beautiful bay location. The campus brings thousands of genius minds, inspiring artists, and reckless drivers inside court doors to duke it out with a traffic judge. It could also just be the law students trying to get their reps in traffic court before they represent a client in the real world.

West Covina Superior Courthouse

The West Covina Superior Courthouse is no stranger to the onslaught of traffic violation disputes. At times, this space could seem like a revolving door of people addressing the obvious guiltiness of their tickets and trying to squeeze out of a fine payment. No matter how many people make it through the doors of this court, only a lucky few will escape it without payment.

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Every day, all over the world, drivers are crashing into each other. These crashes are usually due to unsafe driving, lack of attention on a driver’s part, or the occasional outside factor, like wildlife darting across the road. But when did this start? Who can claim the first automobile accident, from way back when cars were a new invention?

First Fatal Accident (Sort Of)

August 31, 1869 was the day when the first person died from injuries caused by something like a car. However, most people do not count this as the first car accident, as the vehicle is quite a long way from the cars we know today. Mary Ward, an accomplished scientist, was riding in an experimental steam powered vehicle built by two of her cousins. As she was thrown from the vehicle on a curve, then broke her neck under it, the experiment was probably not considered entirely successful. However, there is a lesson to be learned here: scientific curiosity aside, don’t get in an experimental vehicle until proper tests have been run.

First Car Versus Bicycle

Widely considered to be the real first accident, this occurred on May 30, 1896, during a “horseless wagon race” in New York City. Henry Wells lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a bicyclist named Ebeling Thomas. The bicyclist broke his leg, and the driver was arrested. If only there was a New York Defensive Driving course back then, a lot of chaos could have been avoided. However, as there were several other bicyclists arrested that day for the 1896 equivalent of speeding, perhaps a certain amount of chaos was just par for the course at that time.

First Car Versus Nature

John William Lambert built the first successful automobile in America, so it’s appropriate that he also was involved in one of the first car crashes. In Ohio City, Ohio, in 1891, Lambert’s vehicle came upon a tree root sticking out of the ground. The vehicle hit the root and Lambert lost control, so it slammed into a hitching post. Both John Lambert and the other person in the car walked away with only minor injuries. Ohio City boasts that this was the first car accident, though that should perhaps not be considered a badge of honor. It’s also possible that the above accident from 1896 is considered the first because it is the first to involve more than one vehicle.

First Pedestrian Death in the United States

On September 13, 1899, the first pedestrian death in the United States occurred. (The first pedestrian death ever recorded was three years before that, in the United Kingdom.) In New York City Henry H. Bliss was getting out of a streetcar. Unfortunately, he was never able to reach the curb, as he was struck by an electric powered taxi, and he was not able to overcome the damage done to his head and chest. The driver of the cab was initially arrested, but he was ultimately released. There is now a plaque at the site of the accident.

First Car Versus Car

Oddly, there is no reliable information available regarding the first time one car crashed into another car. There is a popular rumor about an accident in Ohio. The rumor says that there were only two cars in the entire state of Ohio, and they somehow managed to crash into each other in 1895. However, as that story has never been proven, and historical fact makes it seem unlikely, the first crash involving two vehicles remains a mystery.

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Having recently made a road trek from New York to Tennessee, (I will NEVER do that again) this topic was bandied about over a morning smoke (he did, I didn’t), two days ago in the hotel parking lot. A Tennessee transplant from South Jersey lamented over his hometown when he spied my NY tags, (front license plate and back – thank you).

While Uncle Andy whined about how much he missed his soft pretzels, pizza and hoagies, he relished the fact that the government “don’t bother you too much in these parts”. “In fact”, he boasted, “you only need one plate on your car”. It sparked an interest as I pondered the surgeon general’s warnings about second-hand smoke.

Overall we don’t want a world where our road mates are highway phantoms in our rear-view mirror. They may be carrying an authentic hoagie or soft pretzel. Might be a Golden State Warrior.

• For More Information On Car Registration in Florida , Click : Car Registration Florida

• Master the journey to your California Driver’s License – Explore more at California Driver’s License!
• Navigate car registration in California like a pro – Learn how to register a car with ease at How to Register a Car in California!

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Woah, there! Slow down. Everyone knows that you’re ready to get behind the wheel of a car and hit the rough roads. The only problem is you’re 14 years old and that’s too young… in most states.

There are a few states out there that have lower learner’s permit ages, which will allow you, a 14-year-old person, to drive on the roads.

You don’t even have to prove you’re a defensive driver by enrolling in traffic school online. You can grab that learner’s permit and go! So long as you live in that state as driver. To help you figure out if you’re eligible to drive, we’ve put together a list of which states it’s legal to drive at 14.

Where should I move to?

Every state has a different set of laws when it comes to driving ages. Living in one state could mean you’re not full licensed driver until the age of 18. Other states will make you a master driver by the age of 16. Below, you’ll find the complete list of states that give you a learner’s permit as early as 14 years of age:

● Alaska
● Arkansas
● Idaho (14 years and 6 months)
● Iowa
● Kansas
● Michigan (14 years and 9 months)
● Montana (14 years and 6 months)
● North Dakota
● South Dakota

Looking at this list, you could begin to think that the driving ages are design completely arbitrarily. The only reason these rules exist is because there was a group of older people in government who wanted to free the roads from young whippersnappers. That might be true, but there’s also other reasoning behind the age restrictions on driving.

Age Restrictions and Why They Exist

The main reason why these age restrictions exist, is because the brain is still maturing. A study published in the Journal of Safety Research showed raising the age needed to receive your driver’s license reduces the number of accidents that young teens are in. Therefore, prohibiting teenagers, under the age of 16, from receiving their learner’s permits will account for less accidents on the road.

That’s why some states have held tight to the 16 or over regulations that we’re so very familiar with. It’s not because they’re trying to oppress your 14-year-old-who-knows-everything-about-the-world voice. The DMV and government bodies are trying to decrease the number of incidents on the road.

Prepping Your Teen for Driving

To help reduce the number of accidents on the road, it’s important to be safe and know how to be prepared as a driver. You might be a 14-year old in South Dakota who just got their learner’s permit, but that doesn’t mean you’re not prone to being in accidents. Here’s a few tips on being secure while behind the wheel.

Getting sleep is dire. You want to be well rested while traveling. If not, your reaction time is diminished, your vision is impaired, and… you’re a bit cranky. Be well rested enough to drive, especially for a growing teen!

Don’t be distracted while driving. Putting the cell phone away is another important trait of a good driver. It’s easy to fall victim to checking the phone when you’re at a stoplight, in traffic, or just bored. Whether texting and driving or having a drama filled conversation on the phone doesn’t matter. Distracted driving is just another reason why 14-year-old drivers might be too immature to operate a moving vehicle.

Finally, learn from teachers, instructors, and parents. They’re here to teach you how to be a safe driver. That’s why it’s important to learn from their lessons.

• Get Started on Your Driving Journey: Applying for a New California Driver’s License (For Teens)

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If you’ve tried updating your driver’s license in the past year, you may have noticed a few signs that were promoting a new Real ID Driver’s License. This latest issued documentation has been the hottest gossip among DMVs everywhere. Aside from having a flashy title, the Real ID promises to bring some change in how people present their identification.

The only problem is the Real ID Driver’s License is a bit of a mystery to most people.

This latest identification card has people questioning what it is and how it’s important. That’s why we’re putting together everything you need to know about the new Real ID. If there’s one thing your favorite online traffic school knows, it’s everything about licenses.

The Real ID is Real Important

Getting a Real ID is not required by any means. However, the DMV strongly recommends applying for this brand-new identification card. Without a Real ID, you may be restricted from taking domestic flights in the United States.

Starting October 1, 2020, the government will require your driver’s license, permit, or ID card to be Real ID compliant. Below are a few other perks of having a Real ID card. Note, some of these are also built into owning a standard ID.

● Being licensed to drive
● Voting or being registered to vote
● Entering federal facilities
● Receiving federal benefits
● Gaining health services
● Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations
● Flying domestically in the United States

The Real ID is a new standardization of minimum security surrounding your identification. Essentially, the federal government is changing the information and details associated with identification. The amount of information is different on the card than your standard ID.

In 2005, the congress passed the Real ID Act, which (you can tell by the name) was the inception of encouraging a new identification card to citizens of the United States. The Real ID Act was passed to combat terrorism and identity theft. Issuing this new government ID will secure people’s identity on a whole new level.

How to get your Real ID Driver’s License

Getting your Real ID is as easy as spending the day at the DMV. In other words, no matter how prepared you will be, you’ll still have to experience going to the DMV. The Real ID cannot be issued over the phone or through mail.

To get your Real ID, you will be required to have the correct documentation. This includes:
● Proof of identity, such as a license, birth certificate, or passport. (Must include first, middle, and last name)
● Proof of social security card
● Proof of your date of birth
● Proof of U.S. citizenship
● Proof of New York residence (or any state that you currently live in,) such as a utility bill, bank statement, or mortgage payment
● If your name does not match the name on the identification due to a governmental approved name change, you must bring in documentation recording that process.

Once you have all these documentations gathered together, you must pay the DMV a visit. Present these documents and request a Real New York ID, to begin the process of updating that bland standard ID into something a little more exciting.

The Real ID will come with a golden star on the top right of your New York issued ID. The gold star is a clear sign that the ID is Real, but it’s also the federal government’s way of saying “good job!”

• For information About California ID Cards click:
  California ID Cards
• Learn all about the ins and outs of obtaining and renewing a California Driver’s License in our comprehensive guide.

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When talking about public transportation, New York City is usually mentioned as having the best in the country. The reason being, they propel innovative traffic policies, maintain the upkeep of their infrastructure, update the speeding ticket cost and will make it easy for you to walk if you chose not to go with prior options. New York City has proposed a new plan of action very recently, and the proposition is causing a bit of an interesting dichotomy among its residents.

The city has always been faced with heavy traffic problems, not even defensive driving could fix this issue. The traffic problems have been making it a major challenge for truck drivers, ride share drivers, and taxi cab operators to continue their business in the city. A recent proposal will enforce drivers, traveling in certain areas of the city, to pay a small charge. We’re breaking all the elements down in New York City’s new pay-to-drive plan.

Too Much Traffic, Too Little Funds

The goal of the pay-to-drive plan for New York was set in place when the growing traffic became an issue. Moreover, the public transportation in the city has seen better days. The subway system, a major contributor to New York’s public transportation system, has been in the decline in recent months due to poorly managed upkeep in recent years.

Last June, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency over the failing rail system in the city.

Budgeting for the transportation in the city had been reduced to allocate funds, and, as a result, the proposition for pay-to-drive was born. The city wants to expand the budget for public transportation in the city. To do so, they first have to make the money.

Where to Pay-to-Drive

Manhattan is one of the most congested cities in New York. That’s the main reason why the city volunteered to test drive this new proposition… because it is the core of the busiest part of the Big Apple. More specifically, the range of this pay-to-drive will focus on Manhattan south of 60th street, according the New York Times.

The price drivers will have to pay varies depending on the type of vehicle they’re driving while passing through the district. Drivers who are behind the wheel of a “regular” automobile/car will have to pay upwards of $11.52, while truck drivers will have to pay $25.34.

Taxi drivers will pay around $2 to $5 when entering the area. The idea of inserting a pay-to-drive policy is double-sided. It serves as a persuasive maneuver to discourage drivers from entering the area, while also accumulating funds from the people crazy enough to go through the zone. The funds will then be invested into rebuilding and maintaining a better public transportation infrastructure.

Ideally, creating an area where drivers are discouraged to drive in will increase the demand of subways, trains, and buses. Overall, the plan will go hand-in-hand with reducing the city’s carbon footprint and increasing the physical footprints… as in walking in the streets.

The model of paying for entry in certain city districts came from another large metropolitan area… in Europe. Cities such as London have adopted a similar traffic management system to discourage traffic in areas that are highly congested. The systems placed by European officials have received positive feedback, which gave New Yorkers even more reason to encourage the policy shift.

The nation will be watching as New York instills this new proposition. If done successfully, it could change how other cities in the United States manage their traffic in the future.

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