Even though Shaun Jones has taken the National Safety Councils online Defensive Driving Course nearly 10 times as a requirement for staying in the National Guard, he never tires of it because the course stays current with driving trends.

So, when Jones, general manager of Area Rent-Alls in Westminster, Colo., won the opportunity to take the course provided by the American Rental Association (ARA) and ARA Insurance Services at The Rental Show in Las Vegas, he was more than happy to do so to update his employment records at the rental business.

"Its a good tool that reviews common things you might overlook or dont think about," he says. "I like that it keeps track of trends and keeps you engaged. For me, its a good reinforcement. I always take something out of it."

Robert Jackson, a driver with ABC Rental Center in Towson, Md., has 20 years of experience behind the wheel. He also has a commercial drivers license (CDL), but when he took the pretest of the ARAs online Defensive Driving Course from the National Safety Council, he didnt ace it, Jackson admits.

As Jackson went through the course, he discovered things that had changed since he received his license and gained solid reminders of other driving strategies. At the end of the course, he had an almost-perfect score missing just one question.

"Its a good refresher course for anyone who has a license," Jackson says. "It is very self-explanatory and only takes a few hours to complete. Its quite interesting not boring at all."

Since taking the course, Jackson says he is an even better defensive driver, being more aware so "others dont make decisions on the road" for him.

ARAs course has been a safety mainstay for the employees at RC Special Events in Boulder, Colo., according to Taryn Haley, general manager.

"At our two locations, weve had nearly 35 people take the course," she says. All managers took the course and now it is given to all new drivers.

Why the push to have everyone participate? "Theyre driving our trucks, which are big billboards for our company. The course reinforces what is expected of them and gives the impression that management means business and takes safe driving seriously," she says.

Jones, Jackson and Haley rely on the course to reinforce strategies for preventing collisions, adapting to various road conditions and learning the rules of the road. You and your employees can receive the same benefits and save money while doing so.

Register for ARAs online Defensive Driving Course throughout the month of October and pay only $20 per course. That is a significant savings, thanks to ARAs Product of the Month promotion. For more information, call ARA Member Services at (800) 334-2177 or go online to www.ARArental.org. If you have coverage with ARA Insurance Services, you could receive the course for free. For more information, call ARA Insurance Services at (800) 821-6580.