Driver's Ed

The fact that my daughter has officially began Driver's Training online brings back some great memories of my driver's training.

I couldn't wait to drive. When I was in high school driver's training was done in class. One semester was health and the other semester was driver's training. I made sure that I was not only getting a good grade in driver's training, but that I had an appointment on the day I turned 16 to do my "behind the wheel" test.

I had a great experience with my "behind the wheel" training, with a car full of people I didn't know and a knowledgeable and patient instructor. Because of him, I consider myself a great parallel parker. These were his instructions, that I still use today: Pull up next to the car you are parking behind, close enough to be arms length away when your cars are side by side. Pull up far enough so that your back bumper lines up with the other car's back bumper. Turn the steering wheel as far as it will go and back up slowly. The rest is about pulling forward and straightening out the car.

These instructions always made parallel parking easy for me. I wan never scared of parking at the beach where parallel parking is a must.

Two other things I remember are: 1. Always leave half of a cars length between your car and the car in front of you when you are stopped at a signal. That way, if the car in front of you breaks down, you can still pull away with plenty of room. And 2. Always keep your hands on the steering wheel in the 10 and 2 position on the face of a clock. Good advise.

Honestly, I'm scared. My girl is getting behind the wheel of a car with a lot of people who run red lights and stop signs, speed, and honk their horns when they are angry. I am not looking forward to this experience.

Maybe we should move to a rural town when the population is 500 and there in one signal. I would feel much better then.

Comments

Denise said…
and always keep 3-4 cars lengths between you and the car in front of you when driving. no tale gating!

someone could slam on their brakes at any moment.

i have STRONG feelings of dislike for tail gaters. doesn't the fact that i am driving a mini van imply that i have children in the car?? why else would i drive a mini van.