Diane Mack: Young drivers can drive you to distraction

Recently, I heard a younger friend mention how excited and happy she was to have her child getting a driver’s permit.

I nearly went into cardiac arrest when she said excited, happy and driver’s permit in one sentence.

Do young parents realize the stress in teaching a child to drive and setting them free?

I’ve taught so many kids to drive that whenever I sold my cars, I had to explain why the front passenger seat floorboard was missing. No matter how hard I tried to stop the car during driving lessons, there was no brake pedal on the passenger side.

I was tough on my kids. The cost of cars, gas, and insurance were three good reasons.

Before the kids picked up the driver’s ed book, I begin with a pop quiz.

For example I’d ask them, “What is the purpose of a rear view mirror?”

The boys usually answered, “It’s used for looking at girls, watching for friends, or purchasing another car.”

My girls answered, “It’s for hair and make-up.”

Seriously, let me share what’s worked for our family, while teaching kids to drive.

First, teach them on a stick. Second, teach them to drive in different size cars, from a Chevette to a bus.

Third, make them get and keep good grades. Fourth, I know this one’s hard and I’m sorry, but don’t give them a car or allow them to buy their own before they’re 18.

If it’s your car, they have to ask.

Obviously, with insurance rates, there is a difference between male and female teenage drivers. I’ve lived through both, plus tickets and accidents. The difference is not gender. It’s maturity.

May I share my favorite driving story?

Our first daughter, Ashley, didn’t have a chance. She followed two brothers. My stomach is starting to churn.

We decided to start Ashley’s driving practice at the corner elementary school. The school parking lot was empty, so it was a good place to start. We set up six cones to teach her how to steer the car.

I called the family together and invited her boyfriend. I had plans.

While one brother was with Ashley gassing up the ‘liability only’ car, the family was setting up lawn chairs at the southeast end of the school parking lot. We had balloons, racing flags and paper signs.

The paper signs numbered from one to ten. Our intentions were to score Ashley during her driving lesson by holding up a number, every time she passed us. I gave the number 10 (best possible score) to special needs daughter, Kelsey.