by Carrie Resch
Staff Writer
You get a traffic ticket and you can’t stand any more points on your license, so it’s time to take the dreaded traffic school class.
Why not choose one that’s fun?
“Traffic class” and “fun” may sound like an oxymoron in the making, but there is a new option in town, the Improv traffic school which combines comedy with student participation at improvjacksonville.
Stepping downstairs into the theatre off Hemming Plaza is like walking into a New York nightclub. It’s dark, there are round tables and jazz music blaring, even a blue neon clock on the wall. Right away, it’s apparent that this is not going to be a typical traffic class.
The classes are taught by Gary Blevins and Aimee Beyle, both certified instructors who use comedy and student participation in their program. They use humor to hold audience attention for the four-hour classes.
Blevins, who instructed the inaugural class on Saturday, March 5, joked that he is a reformed speeder.
“I like to think of this as Driver’s Anonymous,” he told the class.
He is joined by Beyle and their consultant who trained them in driving instruction, Todd Vittum.
Vittum jumped on the stage and did an intro like the opening of a comedy act.
“Essentially this is a four-hour jail term - you have committed a heinous and horrible crime,” he joked. “This is the only comedy experience you’ll take in your life where there is no two drink minimum.”
Upon entering the class, students are handed a driver exam with 100 tough questions printed in small type.
Vittum asked participants to take the exam in the hand they write with and hold it high in the air. “Now crumple it up and pretend I’m the cop that wrote you the ticket and throw it at me,” he shouted as he stood on stage, arms wide and eyes closed welcoming the blows, resulting in laughter and relief from the audience.
The class has four 10-minute breaks at the top of every hour.
The agenda is broken up into four parts: licensing control measures and insurance registration, defensive driving, DUI and other impairments, and attitudes and behaviors. “It’s basically a four-act play and these are the acts,” Vittum said.
Later a test is given, but not in the traditional way. The game show format “Freeway Feud” encourages teams to work together and they are given points for both correct answers and funny answers as they compete for a prize.
“This is the only test you will pass even if you get every answer wrong,” Vittum said. “Beyond that, we encourage you to cheat. If you cheated with your teammate, good. It will make you a better, safer driver.”
The prize was two tickets to an improvjacksonville show.
There is even a conga line. With the music playing, students get in formation with toilet paper and paper towel rolls to demonstrate how drinking impairs peripheral vision.
At the end of the class there is a graduation ceremony complete with the Graduation March melody while the students come up to the stage and get their certificates.
Ron Whittington was attending the class because he was ticketed for driving six miles over the speed limit. His wife told him about the class.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about improvjacksonville and I thought it would be a lot less dry than traditional defensive driver courses,” Whittington said. “The format is real entertaining and at the same time very educational.”
Beyle had the idea to start a traffic school in the comedy club. She had heard about Improv traffic school and thought it would be a great way to teach people while having a good time.
“People are relaxed. They can take in the information and actually learn something,” Beyle said.
Whittington enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. As soon as he walked in the door he got a Diet Coke and propped his feet up on the chair, ready to laugh and learn.
“We’re excited about it. I think it’s a lot of fun and I think people enjoy it. It’s useful too,” Blevins said.
“The philosophy is to provide a proper education in a fun learning environment,” Vittum said. “We don’t make fun of safety, we make safety fun.
“The information in this format, statistics show, is retained longer and transferred to roadways so they become better, safer drivers which is the whole goal - to transmit this information to the roadway.”
Classes are held every other Saturday, but later that might change to every Saturday or they may add a weeknight, and classes are $45.
More information about the classes can be found on the website improvjacksonville.com or by calling 493-8669.