A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (December 2016) |
Traffic School by Improv is an American company that provides behavior-based driver education, traffic school, defensive driving programs, and workplace safety courses.[1] The company employs the educational entertainment "edutainment" approach to teaching, which combines education with entertainment. The company claims that some of their courses "have shown a statistical improvement in reducing crashes and moving violations."[2]
| Product type | Traffic school, defensive driving, driver's education, insurance discount programs |
|---|---|
| Owner | Interactive Education Concepts (1989) |
| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1989 |
| Related brands | The Improv |
| Markets | United States |
| Tagline | Rethink the ordinary... love learning again! |
| Website | myimprov |
Company
Traffic School by Improv was recognized on Inc. magazine's list of fastest-growing private companies in America from 2012 until 2016.[3] It was identified by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies in 2015.[4] Traffic School by Improv's headquarters is in Woodland Hills, California. As of 14 September 2016,[update] the company has a 4.7-star (out of 5) overall-satisfaction rating on ShopperApproved.com.[5]
Traffic School by Improv is one of several companies owned by Interactive Education Concepts, Inc. Established in 1994, Interactive Education Concepts also operates courses under the trade names of Improv Traffic School, Defensive Driving by Improv, and Driver License Direct by Improv.
History
Traffic School by Improv was founded in 1980 by a Ukrainian-born entrepreneur, Gary Alexander, and the owner of the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club, Budd Friedman as Improv the Comedy Club Presents Traffic School.[6] Early classes were held at the comedy club itself, on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Free passes to comedy shows at the club were given to students.[6]
Courses
Traffic school and defensive driving
Traffic School by Improv is approved by various state jurisdictions to administer defensive driving courses.[7] The courses, which may allow traffic offenders to have tickets waived, fines reduced, or penalty points eliminated, are intended both to entertain and to educate.[8] In some states, auto insurance rates may also decrease.[9] They offer Family Feud-style games for students, and graduation parties for students who successfully complete the course.[8]
The company is one of several comedy traffic schools in California. The New Yorker magazine has attributed their success in California to "environmental factors: an exceedingly car-rich urban sprawl and one of the world's largest populations of out-of-work actors."[6] Comedy traffic schools help actors working outside of show business make ends meet.[8] According to Alexander, the company "use[s] humor to deliver a very important message."[10]
The company also operates in states which prohibit "gimmicks or enticements, such as comedy or free gifts."[8] In those states, the company operates as the American Institute for Public Safety with non-comic instructors.[8] The company also offers classes online in partnership with Education Location,[9] but most users who choose the online option choose a text-only version rather than streaming video of a comedian.[8]
OSHA-compliance and workplace training
In 2014, Improv added a new website, www.ImprovSafety.com that offers safety training for employers.[11] The courses, which are constructed with the same Improv principles used in their driver education courses, include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant Don't be a Derk, starring Pamela Anderson and Kato Kaelin.
Drivers education and insurance discount courses
While most customers who take a class are not novice drivers,[10] the company also offers drivers education and insurance reduction courses.[12]
References
- ^ "Defensive Driving by Improv(TM) Celebrates One-Year Milestone Offering Defensive Driving Course in New York". CBS News 8. May 24, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Driver License Direct by Improv™ Offers New Online California Drivers Ed, a California Driver Education Course for First Time Drivers". Business Wire. August 16, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Interactive Education Concepts". Inc. May 24, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Accidental Laffs: DMV Approves First Online Comedy Traffic School". CBS News 8. May 24, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "myimprov.com Reviews". Shopper Approved. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
4.7 Overall Satisfaction Rating Based on 47,276 Ratings from Actual Customers
- ^ a b c Batuman, Elif (August 31, 2009). "Safe Laughs". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "See why over 3 million students picked us as the number one choice..." Interactive Education Concepts Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Biederman, Marcia (July 9, 2006). "Safer Streets Just a Chuckle (or an Enchilada) Away - The New York Times". New York Times. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ a b "Education Location Introduces New Online Driving School Partnership". PR Leap. November 6, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ a b Sayre, Wilson (April 26, 2016). "I Got Pulled Over, But Did Traffic School Make Me A Better Driver?". WLRN. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ "Improv Safety by Improv". Interactive Education Concepts, Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Accidental Laffs -- Defensive Driving by Impov uses Humor to Educate Arizona Drivers with Online Traffic School". PR Web. February 23, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2016.