As so many driving safety schools move online, it gets harder and harder to find a live defensive driving class. That’s why Comedy Guys is proud to be expanding its live classes while other schools are getting rid of theirs.

Our latest additions are two defensive driving class locations in Houston.

• Marco’s Pizza at 3440 Ella Boulevard, just north of 34^th Street, north of Loop 610
• The Brisket House at 3301 Cypress Creek Parkway, near the southeast corner of FM 1960 and TC Jester Blvd

Like all of our live driving safety classes, ours in Houston are held in restaurants and your meal is included in the cost of the class. We hire comedians and entertainers to teach our classes, to keep them fun. You’ll finish in one session, and you can get your certificate as soon as the next business day.

For an extra fee, we can even get your official Texas driving record for you and email that to you as well.

For now, our driving safety classes are only scheduled only on weekends. And anyone who knows Houston will realize that both of these locations are in the north of the city.

But as these classes grow, we will expand both the number of classes and the number of locations. Houston is a huge city, and we want to be all over it.

We’ve even begun plans to expand our classes into Conroe again.

If you want to take a driving safety course online, you have many options. Including our own online defensive driving course.

But in-person classes are getting harder to find. If you’re a Houston driver looking for a live class, Comedy Guys is there to help you out.

Comedy Guys Defensive Driving really does work to make this as easy as possible.

HOUSTON DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASSES
WITH COVID PROTECTIONS

No one needs to tell you that we’re not living in normal conditions. Covid-19 has made us all have to take extra precautions about so many things. This includes our live defensive driving classes.

For your protection, our classes use the following Covid-19 safety precautions.

• Reduced classes sizes and social distancing
• Required face masks
• Email delivery of certificates to reduce physical contact

And, of course, the restaurants we partner with for our live classes have extra safety precautions.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING CLASSES FOR HOUSTON DRIVERS

Many things have been put on hold in recent months.

But that doesn’t include speeding tickets or auto insurance payments.

Comedy Guys Defensive Driving is excited bring our state-approved driving safety classes to Houston. We can help get tickets dismissed or to earn a discount on auto insurance costs.

When you combine the USA’s fourth largest city with Texans who love their cars, you’re bound to get hellacious amounts of traffic. Enough traffic to make some roads look more like parking lots. And that traffic really just millions of people all just wanting to get where they’re going.

And with that many drivers and that much frustration, there are bound to be many opportunities to get tickets.

“What’s the difference between a defensive driving class
and a driving safety course?”

And people have a good reason for asking.

They have a speeding ticket. The court told them that they can get that ticket dismissed by taking a “driving safety course.” But looking online, all they can find are defensive driving classes.

But there’s nothing to worry about.

The simple fact is that a “driving safety course” and a “defensive driving course” are the same thing. Most people call it “defensive driving” except for judges and attorneys who call it “driving safety.”

Honestly, it’s like lawyers need a different name for everything!

Texas has state agencies that regulate driving safety schools like Comedy Guys. And they are pushing for us to use “driving safety” instead of “defensive driving.”

This change began when we were governed by the Texas Education Agency. And it continues under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR to its friends).

Regardless of what you call it, if you’re looking to meet a court’s requirements to get a ticket dismissed, they’re the same thing. And we can definitely help you get your ticket dismissed in any Texas court.

Looking beyond just ticket dismissal

Actually, there is a more subtle difference if you’re interested in something more fundamental than satisfying a court.

In a larger sense, “driving safety” is the entire idea of being safe while driving It is all the attitudes and knowledge and skills that make any one driver safer when they’re behind the wheel.

If you look at it this way then, “defensive driving” — the strategies and techniques wise drivers use to stay out of dangerous situations when they can and deal with them when they must — is just one aspect of this bigger picture.

(Of course, most people just want to make the court happy and get their ticket dismissed. I included all that “bigger picture” stuff to make the pedantic jerk in our office happy.)

Being State-approved is a bigger concern

You don’t need to worry if your defensive driving course will satisfy the court.

It will, but only if the defensive driving course you take is from a state-approved school.

If you take a course from a school that is not approved by the state’s TDLR, then the certificate you receive will not be accepted by the court.

This is why Comedy Guys Defensive Driving School works to maintain it’s state-approved status. Every year we give our driving safety instructors additional training. And we renew our license (license number C728, if you’re curious) with the Texas agency that oversees such things.

Moreover, our course provider (the company that publishes and updates our curriculum) also has a state-license that gets renewed once a year.

All this to stay current and to make sure that our driving safety certificates will work to get your ticket dismissed.

Whether you take one of our live defensive driving classes or our online driving safety course, a certificate from Comedy Guys Defensive Driving will satisfy the court’s requirements.

Preparing cars for summer is important because summertime driving can be so hard on a vehicle.

Especially in Texas.

Your air conditioner works harder. The air in your tires expand in the heat. Any breakdown becomes more miserable if you have to deal with it on a sunny day with triple-digit temperatures. And longer trips carrying luggage or towing a trailer means your engine has to work harder.

Make your summertime driving better by preparing your vehicle for summer before it gets here.

COOLING SYSTEM

Overheating is the Number 1 cause of summer breakdowns. A thorough check now can avoid serious problems later.

• Cooling systems should be flushed and refilled once every two years. Flushing the system will clean out rust, grease, and sediment that just draining won’t take care of.
• Your owner’s manual will give you the recommended level, condition, and concentration of coolant. Half water/ half coolant is commonly recommended, but check your manual.
• Check the radiator cap and all the hoses and clamps for signs of leaking. A quick look while the engine is still hot from a drive should tell you if there’s a leak anywhere, because you’ll see boiling coolant spraying out. Keep your distance from the hot spray is you see any.
• Train yourself to monitor the temperature indicator on the dash more often in the summer. Catching a problem before the system overheats can save you a lot of trouble and expense.
• If you have a problem, never remove a radiator cap when the engine is still hot. Waiting for the engine to cool is annoying, but not as much as having boiling coolant splash over your hands or into your face.

AIR CONDITIONING

An AC system that’s having problems now can break down completely when it’s having to work against the summer heat.

• Run the AC and check its performance. Does the air get cold and stay that way? Does the fan speed change when the controller is turned up and down? Do you hear any unusual sounds or spell anything odd from the AC vents?
• If you detect any problems, it’s probably best to take it to a certified specialist for repair, someone with the right training and the right equipment.
• Newer cars often have cabin air filters. Cleaning or replacing these filters will make your AC work more efficiently. Check your owner’s manual for details about your vehicle.

OIL

Engines often have to work harder in the summer time, and oil is what makes it possible for the various parts to work together without damaging each other. The oil supply is one of the easiest, least expensive things to get right, but it’s also something to many people neglect.

• Check the car’s dipstick. If the oil comes to the Fill line and is a clean golden brown color, you’re good. If the color is good but the level is low, add some oil. Black oil needs to be changed as soon as you can.
• Change your oil and oil filter as specified by your manual, especially if you make frequent short trips, or extended trips with lots of luggage and/or towing a trailer.
• The old wisdom said to switch to a heavier motor oil in the summer, but this really doesn’t apply to any car build in the last 15 years.

TIRES

Tires are hugely important to your car’s performance and safety. A little attention now can spare you many problems in the future.

• Check your tire pressure at least once a month, but check it before driving because the heat generated by driving can affect the air pressure in the tire. Proper air pressure will get you the best contact with the road surface, making your steering and braking more effective.
• Check them also for tread depth, uneven wearing, and cupping. Check the sides of the tires for cuts and nicks.
• If you spot uneven wear or the car pulls to one side, get the tires aligned.
• Remember to check the spare as well, and be sure the jack is in good condition.

BRAKES

Winter cold and generally slower driving in the winter months can be hard on brakes. Check your cars brakes now, before summer driving goes into full swing. Few engine malfunctions are as dangerous as failing brakes.

• Low brake fluid probably doesn’t need to be topped up. Instead, it’s most likely an indication of worn brake pads.
• Get the pads checked or check them yourself, if you can. Make sure the pads aren’t discolored or crumbling, and check that the rotors or drums don’t show cracking.

GENERAL CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE

Your car is one of your biggest individual purchases. And preparing your car for summer is a good way protect this investment. Just a few checks and general maintenance will go a long way toward protecting your car from breaking down and prolonging its driving life.

• Check your various filters: air, fuel, PCV, etc. This is especially important if you drive frequently in dusty conditions like dirt or rock roads, or drive near where mowers or farm equipment are throwing up grass, dirt, and dust.
• Examine the belts for tightness and wear. Replace any belts that look worn or show poor tension.
• Check the power steering fluid. It should be clean and up to the appropriate level. This is another quick fix that’s often neglected.
• Get general problems like rough idling or diminished power checked out at a good repair shop. A minor problem can become something more serious if ignored, and you don’t want to risk a breakdown in the summer heat.
• Check your gas cap and the gasket around it for cracks and damage. Replace the gas cap if necessary.
• Make sure your car is equipped with a roadside emergency kit and some basic tools. A few bottles of water and book you haven’t read yet would be good to, in case you ever have a long wait for some help.
• Check your battery for corrosion. If you spot any, clean it with baking soda and an old toothbrush. Then check again after a couple of weeks. If the corrosion has returned, it could indicate a battery in need of replacement.
• Summer time weather can be extreme and unpredictable. Make sure you have wiper blades that are up to it, especially if you used them to de-ice the windshield last winter.
• If you’re planning a trip that involves towing a trailer, check the condition of the trailer and the hitch before you need them.

FINALLY, A GOOD CLEANING

• Before summer starts is a great time to wash, wax, and detail the car. The weather tends to be more cooperative without being oppressively hot. And waxing will give your car’s paint job some added protection from the summer sun.
• Summer time means more insects. Clean the headlights, grill, and windshields more often. Make sure the windshield washer reservoir is filled.
• If you drove over salted roads last winter, a thorough wash of the undercarriage will get rid of any remaining salt residue. Left where it is, salt residue can damage the finish and the metal.

For most of us, our cars are one of the most expensive things we own.

With just a few simple checks and some basic maintenance, we can extend the lives of our cars and avoid a lot of problems for ourselves at the same time.

Auto maintenance like the summerizing steps described above is just one aspect of being a safer driver.

For 20 years, Comedy Guys Defensive Driving has been working to help drivers be safer, get tickets dismissed, and gain auto insurance discounts.

In our live defensive driving classes and our online driving safety course, the comedian instructors at Comedy Guys work to spread information and improve skills to make drivers safer on the road. And certificates from our state-approved course are accepted in all Texas courts, so we can help you dismiss that speeding ticket, too.

It’s all about dogs this time.

Dogs, dogs, dogs.

Our wonderful four-legged friends who enrich our lives so much by drooling all over us and peeing on the carpet. And, of course, by eating any food (and many things that are not actually food) they can get their mouth on as soon as our backs are turned. Ah, the loyalty…

Come to think of it, I have a cousin who does the same thing.

But why dogs you may wonder.

Or you may not. You may have other things on your mind. It’s possible you’re not thinking about dogs at all right now. If that’s the case, please stop what you’re doing and start thinking about dogs, okay?

Thank you.

But what does Comedy Guys Defensive Driving have to do with dogs? They’re all about safe driving and ticket dismissal and insurance discounts and those sorts of things.

And — with the possible exceptions of Goofy and Hong Kong Phooey —no dog has ever driven a car.

That is true.

The safety issue here is pet owners leaving their dogs inside hot cars on very hot days. It happens multiple times every year, and it often ends in the dog suffering injury or even death.

But we at Comedy Guys hope that by understanding the dangers better, we can move people to take precautions to protect their beloved pets from the heat.

What Makes Hot Cars So Dangerous to Dogs?

The problem is many people don’t realize how quickly temperatures can rise to dangerous levels. Even on a day where the temperature is only 70, the temperature inside a car can rise to 90 in only ten minutes.

Dogs are particularly susceptible to the dangerous effects of heat. They are at their best between 68°F and 86°F, in general.

This is the temperature range called “thermo neutral zone,” meaning that their body doesn’t have to expend any energy to either keep warm or to cool off.

And remember that I said “in general.” This varies a lot based on the dog’s health, age, breed, and the thickness of their coat.

Dogs can acclimate to a hotter or colder temperatures, but this needs to be done slowly over about two months.

A human body responds to heat with perspiration, to cool the skin. But dogs can’t sweat. Their bodies try to expend excess internal heat through panting. It works, but it can only deal with so much heat.

After that, the dog’s body heats up to point that the dog is miserable. And beyond a certain point, the dog begins to suffer damage to internal organs.

Physical damage aside, dogs have a huge need for companionship. Being left alone in a car causes them anxiety, which increases their heart rate and raises body temperature. This makes the poor things even more prone to the effects of the heat.

Dogs and Hot Weather

Hot cars aside, the summer heat in general poses difficulties for dogs and other pets. That simple walk around the block that was so much fun for your dog in April can be torture in August.

And dogs can’t tell you when their miserable, so you have to proactively watch their behavior for the signs of overheating.

• Difficulty breathing or excessive panting
• Increased heart rate
• Drooling
• Mild weakness or slowness
• Clumsiness in moving or stupor
• Collapse

Watching your dog suffer while overheating is bad enough, but don’t forget that there can also be long-term consequences for your dog, including neurological impairment and permanent damage to the kidneys, heart, and liver.

Some Points to Remember

• Be especially aware of the humidity. On humid days dogs have a harder time breathing and may not be able to cool themselves sufficiently.
• Limit exercise on hot days. This is good advice for dogs and people. On the hottest days, try to walk your dog on grass. Hot pavement can burn their paws. And always take plenty of cold water for both of you.
• If you notice the signs of heat exhaustion in your pet’s behavior, get both of you out of the heat and into the shade. Or into the AC. Place ice packs on their neck and head and get them to the vet.
• Keep in mind old dogs and very young dogs are more likely to suffer heat stroke. And so are breeds with short snouts like boxers and pugs.
• Overweight dogs have a harder time cooling off. And this is becoming an increasing problem: The Association for Pet Obesity estimates that more than half of dogs and of cats in the USA weighed more than was healthy for them.

Dogs and other pets cannot protect themselves from being closed inside a hot car on a sunny day. It’s one of the things that we as responsible, loving pet owners have to do for them.

Always keep your pet’s welfare in mind and that dog will be stealing food from your plate for many years to come.

Comedy Guys Defensive Driving school is dedicated to making our students safer drivers.

And better trained, more knowledgeable drivers are safer ones.

Which includes knowing about the effects of heat inside a car on a summer day, whether we’re talking about dogs, drivers, or passengers. The Texas summer can be oppressive, and you need to know how to keep yourself and your passengers — especially the four-legged ones — safe from the heat.

Admittedly, most people take our driving safety classes or our online defensive driving course to get speeding tickets dismissed. Or to get a discounted price on their auto insurance.

But knowing about the dangers to dogs in hot cars is another aspect of driving safety that’s well worth talking about.

At present, our schedule of live defensive driving classes is short and does not include any classe locations in Fort Worth.

The closest regularly scheduled driving safety class we have is at our location in Hurst. You can see it on our calendar of live classes by clicking here.

Of course, our flexible online defensive driving course is available worldwide: if you can get to the Internet, you can take our online class. It is designed to be fun, easy, and flexible enough to fit any schedule. And just like our live classes, the certificate from our online course is valid for ticket dismissal in all Texas courts.

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