Driving lessons, part two
Writing a column is a solitary venture. The fact that it gets read every week is mind-boggling. There are many comments, some good, some not so good. Sometimes I forget I have to face the people I write about on a daily basis.
Last week's column drew its fair share of comments. My sister called to remind me she wasn't always "the bad guy." She went on to recall an incident about a wig-wearing aunt (who shall remain nameless) and riding with the window down on Kellogg in Wichita. OK, that one time I was the prankster.
The original thread of the column, if there ever was one, is that teaching kids to drive is better left to patient people with nerves of steel.
I was lucky. Both of my girls did learn to drive from Grandpa. He taught them rudimentary skills, like driving down one-lane country roads. Unfortunately, we live in town and don't do a lot of driving in the country.
Experts say the brain has the ability to block out traumatic experiences. I don't remember much about teaching Daughter #1 to drive. The younger one is learning now and I won — or lost — the coin toss and get to ride with her while she "practices."
Before we began the practice runs, we established a few rules. Seatbelts are mandatory, the radio is not. It also isn't necessary to check makeup in the rear view mirror prior to starting the car. And lastly, waving at friends is not the primary reason for driving the speed limit on Main Street.
At first she was hesitant and we crept down the street at a sedate 10 miles an hour. She obeyed all the rules.
She gained confidence so we advanced to parking. I thought everyone could park diagonally. That may be so, but not everyone can back out of a parking spot. It never occurred to me that she wouldn't understand the concept of backing straight out of the space. The first couple of times she tried that maneuver we ended up backing around in a semi-circle.
She's improved, but I still feel safer parking along the street or in a space where she can drive forward to exit a parking lot.
We're now practicing on the highway. If you see us hugging the yellow line, it's because she hasn't quite figured out the car isn't as wide as the entire lane. Sometimes she drives by the yellow line, sometimes by the white. At least she keeps on her side of the road.
Her birthday is next week and she'll be getting her restricted license. I'll continue to ride while she "practices" as long as my nerves hold out. But eventually she'll be driving on her own. You might keep that in mind when you park your car.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
