"A Parent's Survival Guide to
Driver Education"
a guide written by Russell S Floyd
Parent involvement in driver education
is a must if there is to be complete training of a new driver. The six hours of
behind-the-wheel instruction a new driver receives in the State of Vermont falls far short
of the amount of time needed to learn to drive on today's roads and highways.
Therefore, a minimum of 50 hours of adult supervised practice is required (more is
suggested) with at least ten of these hours at night by every student enrolled in a course
offered by Driver Education of Vermont.
What I hear, I
forget
What I see, I remember
What I do, I understand
Kung Fu Tzu
(Confucius) 451 BC
A
"modern" translation:
"hearing"....ever tried just telling a teenager to do
something.....?
"seeing"....what they see "us" do, they'll do.... at yellow lights... at stop
signs...!
"doing"....allow them to practice and have them explain what's going on,
then LEARNING will take place as it should!
To better inform the adult of this
requirement there are optional ParentNites to introduce the "coaching adult" to
the required practice sessions. This night will introduce you to "Parent Survival
Guide to Driver Education" and assist you in developing a structured practice
agenda. Please follow the link (ParentNite) above to get the dates and times for the
next meeting. A request form is available to requisition additional information and
to sign up for a guide, teacher's kit, or to one of the Parent-Nites. Enrolled
student's parents will receive a free guide at the Parent-Nite.
On the dashboard above
there are links to helpful "Tips". Please read these
before you head out on a practice drive. On the "Techniques" link you will
find assistance for parallel parking, hill starts, timing, cornering, turn-arounds,
and beginning clutch control. I hope these will be of assistance to you and your new
driver. The "Contracts" link will give you a sample of a Parent/Teen contract. This will
assist you and your teen to "set the rules" in the unlikely event that a heated
discussion takes you both by storm. The link to "ParentNite" will give you
dates and times.
A new addition
to this site is Safety 16 Company's "Student
Driver" Magnetic Safety Sign. As owner and
founder Roland A. Marinello tells us:
"Learning how to drive should be a safe experience. It's
that simple. However, as a parent of two teen-aged boys, I quickly became aware of the
risks associated with teaching our teens how to drive an automobile once a learner's
permit is in hand. And, although professional auto schools use many safty features
(including sinage, passenger brake systems, and additional rearview mirrors) parents are
encouraged to help train their new driver without the use of safety equipment specifically
designed for that purpose.
As a result of my concern for the safety of parents and students, I
founded Safety 16 Company in 1991 to promote the use of the Student Driver Magnetis Safety
Sign, which was developed by Safety 16."
I welcome Roland and Safety
16 as a friend of Driver Education of Vermont. I have used Roland's signs with all
my classes and strongly recommend them in your program as well. Parents (and
teachers), in my opinion this is a MUST HAVE
on a vehicle being driven by a new inexperienced driver. Please order one today.
If you feel other tips,
techniques, and accessories should be on this site please let me know.
click on the mouse to send an email to:
Driver Education of Vermont
Jericho, VT 05465
