I have recently seen my city from a different perspective: the passenger’s seat. As the sole driver in my household and like most St. Albert parents I spend a significant portion of my evening driving.
My treks from one end of the city to another have many destinations and purposes and the view from the passenger’s seat provides a new attitude towards my fellow drivers and my own bad habits. The reason for my designated seat change is that I have taken on the daunting task of teaching my newly licensed daughter to drive.
Once I got over the white knuckling of the door handle, visions of my life passing before my eyes and resumed the ability to keep the fear out of my voice while I calmly and clearly provide direction, I realized that there are a few of us that need to also go back to school – driving school. I am amazed how closely other vehicles follow, how quickly they pass a cautious driver regardless of safety and the road rage that occurs as a result of having to follow the rules of the road.
While I will be the first to admit my driving skills are not perfect – and perhaps I am not the best instructor – for the most part I think all of us could use a refresher in the basics. While my daughter was studying for her written test I downloaded the AMA exam app just to see how I would do.
To my surprise I failed the first couple of times through the sample tests.
I actually had to guess at some of the basics, like what distance you must dim your high beam lights for oncoming traffic. I know what I do when in a real situation although I second-guessed my knowledge when the theory behind my actions was actually tested.
While re-evaluating my skill and my ability to teach, the one bad habit I will not pass along is driving while using the phone. In light of the new distracted driving legislation I have made every effort to use a hands-free, law-abiding device while driving and I admit that despite my best efforts and willingness to learn – I hate hands-free.
I am unable to use my Bluetooth device without having “in-car” rage. Since installing a Bluetooth device in my vehicle I have found myself cursing like a sailor with the expletives focused towards a pseudo-person that mechanically explains that she “does not understand my request” and asks me to “click the button to answer” – really – how is “click the button” hands-free?
At the end of months of effort to train both the device and me, in order to mentor my new driver and not teach any new curse words to those travelling me, I will make every effort to drive not only hands-free, but Bluetooth free as well.
In reflecting on my skill as a driver and the ability to teach those skills, I believe all drivers get slightly rusty on the actually rules of the road. While distracted driving and alcohol levels are the latest discussions, each of us should have to prove our basic driving skills are adequate even if it is only to a new driver. If you think your driving skills are up to par, try teaching a new driver and watch the road from a different perspective.
Tanya Doran is an enthusiastic St. Albert resident.
