Tools for Parents of Beginning Driver Students (Part 3)

From Lloyd Hobbs, Vice-president of Programs, SafetyNL

The contents of these articles are suggestions. Do not attempt any maneuver that you or the student driver are uncomfortable attempting.

In our last chat we discussed things to do to make your new driver familiar with the vehicle. If both you and the beginning driver are ready to proceed, today is the opportunity for them to get behind the wheel and move the vehicle. Ensure they have their beginner’s permit in their possession and that you have your driver’s license, the car’s insurance and registration at hand. Put on your seatbelts and put away the cellphones. Discuss how it is against the law to use a hand-held phone while driving and that it is unsafe to use any device while driving because it occupies the mind which should be totally focused on driving. Neither the accompanying driver nor the novice driver should use a cell phone during the lesson. Also remember the 0% tolerance to alcohol for both the novice driver and accompanying driver.

I suggest the lesson begin with you behind the wheel and driving the vehicle to a quiet parking lot or other open space. Along the way talk to the new driver about what you observe, what you are looking out for and what concerns they should have in this area. Let them know all the information you are gathering from road signs, from the way other vehicles are moving, from the pedestrians you encounter and what you are doing to address your concerns. This introduces the concept of spatial and environmental awareness.

Once you arrive at your location, let the new driver take the wheel. First adjust seats, mirrors and other items so you are both comfortable and put on your seatbelts. Again, cellphones are out of reach. While they may want to pull the seat up close to the wheel, the further away from the wheel that they can position themselves while reaching the wheel and peddles and still see over the dash, the safer it will be should the airbag ever deploy. We used to tell drivers to position their hands on the wheel in the positions of 10 and 2 as on a clock. However, that has been revised to the positions of 9 and 3 as some research indicated there was less risk of wrist breakage should the airbag deploy. With digital clocks and watches, you may have to explain this comparison of the steering wheel to an old-fashioned clock.

When you are both ready, begin by having them depress the brake, start the vehicle and slowly slide it into drive. The goal at first is to start and stop the vehicle, so practice starting and stopping in a straight line until both the start and the stop are smooth. If this can be done without the occupants moving in

their seats it will indicate smooth control of the throttle and brake. When you are both comfortable with this maneuver, introduce some slow side to side turning. Have them turn the wheel by placing one hand over the other to turn the wheel. This can expand into a circle, more side to side turns and then combine some straight driving with turns, stops and restarts.

Now is the time to introduce precision. Point out some spots on the lot and request that the new driver take the vehicle to those location. Pick a point and ask them to stop the vehicle as close to that location as possible. If there is a curb, ask them to attempt to park close to it. Remember you can adjust the wheel if they are going too close for comfort. Have them put their left foot on the left footrest of the driver side. This is usually the back of the driver side wheel well and helps them see where the vehicle’s wheel is for positioning in the lane. These may be simple tasks for kids who have had a lot of experience with ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes and even many video games. However, for kids with none of this experience it may take longer to develop an acceptable level of comfort. Driving is a skill, just like playing a musical instrument or playing a sport. Practice refines the skill and we say practice makes perfect and hopefully it makes permanent.

If this goes well, and you are in a low traffic area, you may wish to have the new driver take the vehicle on the roadway. Early mornings, weekends (8-10am on Saturdays) and evenings generally have less traffic and are good times to introduce this with minimal stress. Point out the center line and that the yellow line should always be on your left. Allow a short drive anticipating what might be ahead and give them some warnings of intersections. While you might attempt to avoid controlled intersections with stop or yield signs, this may be unavoidable so discuss these traffic signs. This would have been covered in the written test for the beginner’s permit but review the basic signs as you drive.

This is probably enough for the first behind the wheel lesson. Don’t try to overdo it. You may need to get back behind the wheel if you must travel through busy traffic to get home. If not, and you and the student are comfortable and the conditions are acceptable, allow them to drive home. There should be a big feeling of accomplishment for both you and the new driver. Don’t try to progress too quickly as this could create frustration.

Next time we will look at moving into more complex traffic configurations. Until then, practice these first steps a few times to gain comfort, confidence and experience. Until then, stay safe!