Drivers’ Ed Again by Sharon O’Donnell
My youngest son, Jason, just completed the classroom portion of Driver’s Education, that iconic rite of passage for teens and a major step on their road to independence. As the mom of two older sons who have long ago traversed the week-long daily classes from 8:00 to 2:30, this is my third time around — not to mention my own DE class that was held in the very same high school class that my three sons took it. But with each one comes that sense of dread — of wanting my sons to be safe and to impart my years of driving wisdom to them. In looking for Driver’s Ed material among my documents, I came across the following bit I wrote in a blog seven years ago when my middle son, now 22, was about to get his license. I think it still applies today:
Driving is very much in the news in my own home since my 15-year-old son, David, recently received his learner’s permit. My oldest son, who is 18, didn’t have quite the same Driver’s Ed course as David did. The questions on David’s on-line quizzes covered much more information than the basics I remember and even those my older son remembers. Consider if you will topic 3, lesson 1 of module 5 of the Wake County Public Schools drivers education computer quizzes: When you attempt to pass, you must first look at the time you will need to safely overtake the vehicle you are passing, and if you have enough space to do it safely.
Okay, I got that. But then it goes on to explain by example: A blue car is traveling at a speed of 30 miles per hour and a red car is approaching the blue car at a speed of 40 miles per hour. Time to pass = distance traveled to complete pass, divided by difference in distance traveled per second by each vehicle. 1 mile per hour = 1.5 feet per second or fps”.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Seriously? Had I mistakenly gotten onto an advanced math site of some sort instead of the drivers ed site? After several more steps, we learned that the time needed for the red car to safely pass the blue car is 13 seconds. When I first read all this along with David, I looked over at him in total confusion and was met with his similar look of total confusion. I mean, come on! We are now supposed to do mental math calculations while driving? I can’t do math calculations while sitting at my desk with a calculator, much less while attempting to pass a car. I sighed, patted his shoulder, and said to him, “Just remember to yield, don’t speed, don’t tailgate, don’t drink, don’t use your cell phone, don’t pass a stopped school bus, and you’ll be fine.” Then I remembered what my drivers ed teacher used to repeat to us and added, “Oh yeah, and turn in the direction of the skid.”
Tags: DMV, driver's license, Drivers' Education, driving, teen drivers, turning 16
