Posted: 7/16/03

Give first time drivers a break

Every teenager knows that getting your license is like being reborn.

Instead of waiting around until your ride comes, you can drive yourself. No more leaving early from something thatís important to you because you can leave whenever you want!

Yes, driving is the ultimate privilege any teen can get these days. But what some donít realize is that driving can also be your worst nightmare.

Iíve had my permit now for a little less than two months and Iíve heard some terrifying stories of parents who go out driving with their teen for the first time.

Imagine yourself driving along, just learning the rules of the road when a situation arises that youíve never encountered before. You wish that your parent would simply give you encouraging advice and tell you what you should do and how you should react, but no.

Instead of hearing ìI wish you hadnít done thatî or ìTry this insteadÖî you see a red-faced parent and get a near-busted eardrum.

All the driver really wants is some encouragement, especially when they hear the dreaded words ìlets try the freeway today.î

No teen wants to be screamed at and punished for trying. But on the other side of the argument, you probably wouldnít give soothing encouragement when your life is in jeopardy, either.

So parents, when your teen is driving for the first time, stop and think about how you would like to be talked to when making a complete stop. And teens, take a deep breathe when you get behind the wheel. I know that my parents are pretty calm when it comes to my driving (except when you come within twenty feet of an oncoming semi truck).

They try really hard to speak advice instead of scream, but maybe that has to do with the fact that my dad is a drivers training instructor and theyíve been through this stage two times before me.

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