Friday, February 2, 2018

DRIVING: Teenager behind the wheel

Just yesterday, it seems, the Young Relative was trying to convince me that OF COURSE he could handle an impossibly complicated Lego Star Wars project, even though it was recommended for ages 8 and up. Now the kid is a UHS sophomore and just got his learner's permit. I can't even, as the saying goes.
When I was his age, learning to drive was a lot more casual. If you could demonstrate a reasonable three-point turn, identify traffic signs and pass an eye test, you could get your "real" license the day you turned 16 and then could celebrate by loading all your pals in the station wagon and heading to Friendly's for a Fribble.
Now, novice drivers need to keep track of their hours behind the wheel (there's probably an app for it) and are supposed to practice in different weather conditions and at different times of day.
I've been asking around for what advice to give the Young Relative, and here's what I've heard:
1. Drive defensively. Always think ahead: what if a deer runs out from the woods? what if there's a pack of bicyclists around the sharp bend? what if that guy runs the red light?
2. Don't speed.
3. Don't tailgate, and allow ample following distance. (Just because professional NASCAR drivers zoom around the track millimeters behind their competitors doesn't mean you should.)
4. Use your turn signals. But remember: even if a car has its turn signals flashing, the driver might not actually turn.
5. Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, stash it in the back seat.
6. Be very careful on Route 1 at the Starbucks/Staples shopping center, which gets my vote for the most dangerous crossroads around. It seems like there's always broken glass on the roadway from yet another fender-bender.
Facebook friend Barbara B. put it perfectly:
"Always anticipate that other drivers around you will behave stupidly! I'm never disappointed. For instance, in your head you will say, 'they will NOT pull right out in front of me,' but you react as if they will. Believe me, more times than not, my reaction is the right answer!"
The Y.R. reports that he's been honked at by impatient motorists behind him, which I suppose is actually a good introduction to the sky-high level of insanity out there in the motoring public. And I'm hoping that he is talking to -- and listening to -- older friends who have some miles under their belt.
Having a student driver in the family serves as a good reminder for us adults to stay vigilant, too. On a simple trip to the Y last night, for instance, an oncoming driver barely missed a deer on Upland Road in front of the Stone Barn; an incautious driver pulled out from Wollaston Road in front of me on Street Road; and a man getting out of his car on State Street in Kennett Square opened his door right into traffic.


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