Rural two-lane highways can feel like the easiest driving in Indiana. There’s little traffic, there are long sightlines, and it’s tempting to let the speedometer creep up. That’s exactly the pattern troopers in southeastern Indiana are trying to break right now.
Extra Patrols on State Road 350
Eagle Country 99.3 reported on October 15 that Indiana State Police troopers from the Versailles District have been running special patrols on State Road 350 in Dearborn County. The road has seen three fatal crashes this year, in May, June, and September. In just three patrols, troopers handed out 45 warnings and 25 citations. Twenty-two of those citations were for speeding, and three were for seat belt violations.
Those numbers say a lot. When police focus on a stretch of road after serious crashes, speed is usually the first thing they find. If a ticket has already put you on the BMV’s radar, the Indiana Driver Safety Program may be your next step. Here’s how it fits in.
Why Speed Matters More on Two-Lane Roads
Speed doesn’t just make a crash more likely. It makes every crash worse. On a rural highway, the margin for error is thin:
- Curves and hills hide hazards. A stopped tractor, a deer, or a car turning into a driveway may be just over a rise. The faster you go, the less time you have once it comes into view.
- There’s no median. On most two-lane roads, the only thing between you and oncoming traffic is a painted line. Drifting a few feet at speed can turn into a head-on crash.
- Shoulders are narrow or soft. Dropping a tire off the pavement at high speed and overcorrecting is a classic single-vehicle crash.
- Help can be farther away. Emergency response in rural areas can take longer, which raises the stakes of any crash.
The fix is simple, even if it takes discipline. Drive the posted limit, slow down below it for curves, hills, rain, and darkness, and leave a big gap behind the vehicle ahead. And buckle up every trip, because three of the citations on SR 350 were for seat belts.
How Points Add Up in Indiana
Every moving-violation conviction in Indiana carries a point value. According to the Indiana BMV, point values range from zero to ten depending on how serious the offense is. Points stay active on your record for two years from the conviction date.
One ticket might not feel like a big deal. But tickets have a way of coming in pairs, and Indiana law pays attention when they do.
When the BMV Can Require a Driver Safety Program
Under state law, as the BMV explains it:
- Two or more convictions in 12 months. Drivers convicted of two or more traffic offenses within a 12-month period may be required to complete a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program (DSP).
- Drivers under 21. If you’re under 21 and convicted of two or more traffic offenses, completing a DSP is required.
- A 90-day deadline. When the BMV is notified of these convictions, it mails a notice. You then have 90 days to finish a DSP, or your driving privileges will be suspended.
- Court orders. A court may also require a DSP as an alternative to a suspension.
If you get one of these BMV letters, don’t set it aside. Ninety days goes by fast, and a suspension creates bigger problems than the course itself.
What a DSP Does, and What It Doesn’t
Any Indiana driver can take a DSP, even without a BMV notice. The BMV applies a 4-point credit to your Official Driver Record when you complete an approved course. That credit can be applied only once every three years. Taking another course extends the credit period for three years from the new completion date.
It’s important to be clear about one thing. Completing a DSP does not remove a ticket from your driving history. The BMV says so directly. The citation and conviction stay on your record; the course adds a point credit. If you’ve received a citation, you still need to handle it with the court.
If you’d like a longer walkthrough of the program, see our Indiana Driver Safety Program guide.
The Bottom Line
The SR 350 patrols are a reminder that enforcement follows crashes, and that speed is the most common thing troopers find. Slow down on rural highways, give yourself room to react, and wear your seat belt. If you’ve already picked up two tickets in a year, or you’ve received a BMV notice, act before your 90-day deadline.
Defensive Drivers Institute’s Indiana Driver Safety Program is BMV-approved, fully online and self-paced, and available in English and Spanish. It’s built for drivers who need to meet a BMV or court requirement and for anyone who wants the 4-point credit.
Ready to protect your record? Start the Indiana Driver Safety Program.
