What May Transpire During Your First Driving Lesson

Your teen has had a taste of driver education and is ready for their first driving lesson. You had your discussion about defensive driving and you both are probably a bit nervous about what lies ahead. You two are likely having differing conversations in your head as you get into the car for that first lesson.
Here’s a little look at what you may be typically saying, and what your teen may be thinking during that first driving lesson:

YOU: “Well, the first thing you want to do honey is to adjust your seat, put on your seatbelt, and adjust your mirrors.”

TEEN: (This is gonna be GREAT!)

YOU: “Put the key in the ignition and turn it forward until it starts and then release it.”

TEEN: (Freedom is within my grasp!)

YOU: Now, with your foot firmly on the brake, move the sifter into “D” for Drive.”

TEEN: (I wonder when I will get my first car?)

YOU: “I learned to place my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel but, because of airbags they now suggest 9 and 3, so place your hands on the steering wheel, and slowly…SLOWLY…put pressure on the gas pedal.

TEEN: (It’s got to be something cool, something I can add my own touches to…)

YOU:  “There you go! You are doing great. Keep your eyes on the road and let’s get up to speed.”

TEEN: (…and of course it will have a great sound system. Woohoo, look out world!)

YOU:“You’re doing great honey, just take it easy and pay attention. Remember what you learned in driver’s ed”

Alright, it may not go exactly like that, but you get the idea. As a parent we sometimes think that our kids may not always be fully attentive. We are probably correct, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep saying and doing the right things. That includes finding the best driver education programs available. You may want to look into our parent-teen driving agreement as well.

Make sure you have your discussions about defensive driving, distracted driving, use of alcohol, and rules regarding driving with friends early and often with your teen. After all, you never know when they may be listening!

A Brief History of Traffic Control Equipment and Traffic Safety Equipment

As we drive the streets and highways, we are faced with a multitude of traffic control equipment and traffic safety equipment that contribute to our safer travels. They have become part of the landscape for us, both inside and outside of our cars and we rarely give them much thought. These devices did not come about overnight, nor did they come about without challenges. They have been developed throughout the over 100 year history of the automobile, and many are incarnations of other devices. We thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at the history of some of these devices.
Traffic Lights: The first traffic control equipment was used in London in 1868. Manually controlled traffic lights were installed in Cleveland in 1914 using electric lights that lit up the words “Stop” and “Move”. This first four-way traffic light was hung in Detroit in 1920 and introduced the first yellow light. The first yellow light runner was probably not far behind.
Don’t Walk/Walk Signals: In the early 1930s pedestrians were being hit at intersections by the ever increasing number of vehicles. Early versions on this device stopped traffic in all directions, and pedestrians had a limited time to cross the roads, including crossing diagonally. The less chaotic system used today was first installed in New York in 1952. Today, modern LED crossing devices offer a “countdown” for pedestrians until the traffic light will change.
Railroad Crossing Signals: The first railroad signals were invented and nicknamed wigwags. These wigwags were used for almost 60 years until being replaced. Today, the familiar crossbuck “Railroad – Crossing” sings are still used at crossings, and are maintained by the railroads.
Seatbelts: Lap belts were first offered as a traffic safety equipment option in American cars in 1949 by Nash. Saab was the first manufacturer to offer them as standard gear in 1958. It became standard in all vehicles. Today’s three-point lap and shoulder belts were actually patented in the 1950s but weren’t standard equipment until much later. The first compulsory seatbelt law was enacted in 1970 in Australia. Ironically, the "Live Free or Die" State of New Hampshire remains the only U.S. State without a mandatory seat belt law. Today, we now have devices that monitor traffic with devices implanted in pavement, traffic cams are everywhere, and even solar power provides electricity for signage on our roadways. Like in most areas of our life, technology is rapidly affecting driving and driving safety.
Written by MyImprov

You Might Be a Bad Driver If...

Post Excerpt:
Where are all the bad drivers coming from? Perhaps, just perhaps, we are them. How do you know if your a bad driver?

I have this feeling we all think we are pretty good drivers. I mean, we may admit to being a bit lead footed at times. In a weak moment we may even accept that parallel parking may not be our strongest skill, but I think overall, we all think we are pretty good behind the wheel.

The problem is, if we are such pretty good drivers, who are all these people with road rage getting angry at? Just who are they yelling at and saluting with hand gestures? Are these just psychotics who enjoy making grotesque, angry faces and hearing the sound of their own horns, or is it possible that some of us aren’t as adept on the highways as we may believe? Should some of us permanently call shotgun and just go along for the ride? Finally, just how do we know who we are?

Here’s the test. “You Might Be a Bad Driver If….”

•  When you say “I’ll Drive”, your friends look pale and lose the ability to speak coherently.

•  Your vehicle has dents on three or more of its four corners.

•  You think a yellow traffic light means “Faster, faster!”

•  The police officers in your town don’t have to ask you for your Driver’s license, as they already know the number, along with your address.  They can also tell you how many points you have on your driving record and whether you’re eligible to do online traffic school.

•  You believe people should be going at LEAST 10 miles above the posted limit.

•  You’ve ever speed up unnecessarily when someone pulls out on the road in front of you.

•  You’ve cussed at another driver with your in-laws in the car.
You’re afraid to tell anyone how many points you have on your driver’s license.

•  You no longer have a driver’s license.

•  You think traffic laws, signs, and road markers are for amateurs.
The lettering on the side of your tires is worn off from rubbing against curbs.

•  When neighbor children see you driving home, they run to their porches.

•  Instead of chasing it, the neighborhood dogs run away from your car.

•  You’ve ever looked sheepishly at your passenger and said “oops”.

•  Your front passenger side carpeting is severely worn from passengers attempting to hit the brake.

•  You have your car insurance agent on speed dial.

•  Your passengers have their seatbelts on before you even get in.

•  Your body shop sends you a gift for Christmas…and your birthday…and your anniversary.

The reality is, our self-perception of our driving skills is probably different from reality. Maybe the next time we get into a bit of a rage about another driver’s lack of skills, we should consider our own limitations and do a better job at defensive driving. Maybe we just need to laugh at ourselves a bit, and understand we can all momentarily be subjected to distractions that may affect our driving.

Which Gender is the Worse Driver, Men or Women?

In the great debate of who are worse drivers, men or women, the answer may be “it depends”. It depends on who you ask and what your definition of “worse” is. Let’s take a look. Insurance.com recently released a survey from 1,000 drivers, and identified responses by gender.

Here are some of their more interesting results: When ask if they had ever “sped up significantly to prevent someone from passing”, 28% of men said yes while only 25% of women did. That’s one strike against the guys. When it comes to “brake checking” someone following too close, 30% of women admitted to the procedure while only 27% of the men did. Sorry, ladies.

When it comes to tailgating someone for driving too slowly, it would appear women do it more often.The survey said 21% of females tailgated, with only 16% of men filling the mirrors of the driver in front of them.

Men would certainly be the first to give another driver the middle finger salute though, wouldn’t they? Not so fast…31% of women said yes, while only 27% of men said they had. What about stealing a parking spot someone else was waiting for? The men win this category 13% to 9%.

When it comes to using the horn to prod someone driving too slowly, men were more aggressive here too, with 43% agreeing they had done this. Only 39% of women admitted to this practice.

So, who would be more likely to ding another’s car in a parking lot and drive off? Turns out 8% from both sides said yes. So THAT’S where all those marks come from.

So what do the real statistics say? It would indicate that men are more aggressive, get more tickets and are involved in more accidents. Can you say testosterone? Young men in particular are driving challenged. More than twice as many males in the 16-19 year old age group become involved in accidents than their female counterparts.

So where is the final proof? It may come from those who make a living looking at driving statistics, those in the auto insurance industry. Sorry guys, it’s true…women pay less than men. That can only lead us to believe that men are the worse drivers.

Either way, many insurance companies offer discounts for taking a defensive driving course or take online traffic school. These courses can be taken online for a nominal cost and the savings from the insurance rate reduction (5% to 15% discount) will significantly outweigh the cost of the course-and the course is available to both men and women!