Traffic school uses humor to teach rules of road
By SHELLEY OWENS

The Stuart News
PORT ST. LUCIE -
- An addiction counselor for 21 years in Cincinnati Ohio and Florida, Michael Panzeca had regular moonlighting gigs in another trade that's his first passion -- stand-up comedy.

When he was called on by his day job to do a workshop, teach a class or speak at a conference, his comedy would just naturally sneak in. "It was me, so it was comedic," he said. "(Comedy) just works better."

Based on his experience of "working the crowds" at Ft Lauderdale nightclubs and convinced that comedy was the tool to change bad-driving habits, Panzeca started Comedy Traffic School in Fort Lauderdale nearly three years ago. The school conducts classes throughout southeastern Florida, tapping into a broad market of potential customers: new drivers, older drivers and motorists slapped with traffic tickets.

But drivers who have been ticketed for traffic violations are the most likely to attend. When they complete the course, they are not assessed points on their driving record and their insurance company is not allowed to raise their insurance rates, Panzeca explained.

A number of companies offer traffic school, but Comedy Traffic School makes its mark by using comedy to help people become better drivers.

"Really, what you are trying to do is change behavior," Panzeca said. "First of all, everyone thinks they're an excellent driver and that everyone else on the road is a bad driver. In their mind, they are in class because the system failed."

Instructors such as Keith Ernst, who teaches in Port St. Lucie, use a combination of wit, sarcasm and visual humor to help change motorists' minds and put them on the road to better driving behavior.

A recent class in Stuart laughed at Ernst as he ran into walls or wrestled with himself on the floor. Halfway through the four-hour session, Ernst had classmates laughing at themselves -- and their behavior behind the wheel.

Gary Ellwood, an Allstate insurance agent, said he likes the Comedy Traffic School approach.

"The old ... driving schools were dry in content and they wanted to show you gory pictures," he said.

Robert Sanchez, spokesman for the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, said a film released a few years ago depicted a traffic school as dull and boring with people falling asleep.

Comedy Traffic School, however, is exactly the opposite, he said.

"There is substantive material in the courses and it's a serious subject -- keeping people alive," Sanchez said. "It helps when it's delivered in an interesting manner."

Yet the seriousness of the subject does not escape class participants.

"There are some things that just stay with you," said Danielle Benica, who was attending a recent class.

"The fatalities," added Elaine Messier.

"Yeah," responded Benica. "(It's) how many people are killed on the road."

Sanchez said comedy also helps hold the attention of young people, who are expanding market for the school. Students who want their learner's permit attend because some high schools no longer offer the state-mandated basic driver classroom courses.

But students are only part of the company's growth.

Since January 2001, the school has expanded from a single class in Fort Lauderdale to nine instructors teaching three types of traffic classes throughout South Florida. Panzeca estimates his company now teaches about 1,000 people a month.

"All I wanted was a little something to do on the side so I could make money and go work comedy in New York," he said, only half-joking.

"I've made every mistake in the book. I hired friends, grew too fast, had an employee steal from me, got my overhead too high, been sued," he said. "I've even had people try to start their own schools from my office."

But the problems haven't deterred him, in part because the current staff of instructors is committed to growing the business. Like Panzeca, some of them also used comedy effectively in their corporate day jobs.

Panzeca and the staff plan to continue to expand Comedy Traffic School but in new directions. "I really want to teach violence awareness in the high schools," he said.

And beginning in November, the company plans to add a corporate training arm to teach drug and alcohol awareness, sexual harassment and violence in the workplace.

"That's our goal, this year, to get this going," said Panzeca, who hopes to eventually return to the classroom.

"I'm a comedian, but I don't get to do the fun stuff. There are too many administrative matters that need my attention," he said. "I enjoy the classroom more than the stage."



PUTTING THE SOCIAL IN SOCIAL MEDIA
SO, I'M ERASIN' THIS GUY
[PUTTING THE SOCIAL IN SOCIAL MEDIA]
When people don't ask me if MySpace of Facebook has any value, I don't tell them that it has very little value beyond helping you reconnect with co-workers that you see every day or high school friends you thought you'd shaken decades ago. Which perfectly explains why I have profiles on both.

I'm having to re-evaluate that crack bit of analysis now that I've reconnected with a friend I'd lost touch more than a decade ago, standup comic Michael Panzeca. (His signature bit was his opening line: "So, I'm stabbin' this guy...") As good a standup as he is, he's an even better person.

I met Mike while working on a story for the Palm Beach Post about the comedy traffic school he worked for. He'd go on to start his own chain of schools. But in the moving around process, we'd lost touch.

Last night, I got a friend request from him on MySpace. It was great to hear from him again. Thank you, MySpace.

Anyway, Mike had this video on his MySpace page. Apparently his brother, John, was at a Cincinnati Reds game and decided to get in a little face time on the baseball broadcast. The anchors decided to get their revenge:


A fan writes
Dear Mr. Panzeca:

My husband and I had the pleasure of watching both of your shows on the Carnival Triumph. We specifically asked Chris (asst. cruise director) your name so we could let them know how much you made us laugh. My husband is terrified of flying and you were so funny that he kept me entertained by reciting jokes from your show. Unlike the other adult only show comedian, you didn't have to swear to make it adult. I didn't find your show offensive, but even funnier. Not that we are snobs, just blue collar, middle class people. I haven't ever contacted talent from our cruises, but I just had to let you know that even today, my husband (he works construction) shares your jokes. That is amazing when a person can not only make the audience laugh, but can go on and make others laugh. We are taking another cruise next December on the Freedom, sure hope you are on it. We will look for you on the comedy channel because we could always use a laugh. I am 48 years old and at age 44 was diagnosed with cancer and last July diagnosed with a second type. I tell you this for only one reason, you were an integral part of my cruise which was to escape reality and have a good time. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Marcy L.