There isn’t much of an argument for learning to drive. It’s either learn, get your license, and off you go- or take public transportation. Most of the rules of the road are common sense. Looking both ways before turning, stopping at a stop sign or stop light, yielding at an unmarked intersection. But more and more, I’m noticing people who don’t listen, who don’t use their common sense. This scares me. Maybe it’s because I have a son now, and I value my life.
Driving Today
I wouldn’t think of driving without my seat belt, just like I wouldn’t think of taking my son anywhere unless he was in a car safety seat. I’m also getting to the point where I don’t want to take him out of town on the interstate. There are some complete morons out there.
Morons are the ones who refuse to slow down to the speed of traffic- so they pass cars in the left hand lane, get right up on another vehicles tail, and whip in and out of traffic going no less than 90 miles an hour. Morons also do this while talking on their cell phones, with the music cranked up so that everything is vibrating, and all this while turned around picking up the pacifier that their child(who isn’t in a safety seat) threw on the floor. Terrifying.
Cell Phones and Stereos
When teaching your child to drive, or even learning for yourself, you may be tempted to start off without using the radio. You may want complete quiet so that you can concentrate on what you are doing. This is fine for the first few trips. But there will come a time that you will turn the radio on for the first time. You, or whoever is learning to drive, needs to get used to this.
First, discuss with your child why the music needs to be turned down low. Loud music is distracting- and can cause accidents. As a parent, you may not like the music that your child picks- but it is probably best that they listen to what they like when learning to drive. Why? Because they know how to shut it out better than the stuff you listen to. Think about it. Can you concentrate listen to whatever racket they listen to? Why should it be different for them?
Second, bring up cell phones and pagers. More and more teens these days are carrying them. Ask your child to turn them off in the car. Explain that talking on the cell phone while driving, is illegal in some areas, and is extremely dangerous. Accidents can happen while they are looking down to pick up the cell phone or pager. If the call or page was important- whoever called or paged will call back. Cell phones are not a part of the driving experience, and you should not teach your child to drive while talking to one.
Other Passengers
Face it. You will be taking people places once you have your license. Older teens will be asked to drive their younger brothers and sisters places, they will have their friends in the car, and other things. What beginning drivers need to know is that their driving comes first- not the screaming child in the backseat, their friends’ conversation, or whatever.
It’s the driver’s responsibility that their passenegers are safe- no matter who gets the ticket. So, children under the age of 4 in most US states need to be in a safety seat, and everyone else- including the driver- has to wear their seat belts.
What Else?
Even the safest drivers can end up in an accident. Just because you follow your common sense, doesn’t mean that every other driver does. So pay attention to the car ahead of you. Keep your distance, and pass with care. If you see a car headed for your lane- honk your horn. Don’t get upset- just a warning blow saying-’Hey, I’m here!’ If another driver does something to offend you, forget about it. You won’t see them again.