Driver’s Ed

Three people in three states are now DRUIDS (DRiving Under the Influence of Dad).  You may need to know that they live in Georgia, South Carolina, and New Hampshire, just in case you live there, too.  They learned at least part of what they know about driving from me.  I like to think that I am responsible for the portion of their driving experience that is accident and ticket free.  Others can lay claim to the rest.

It was a two-way street, so to speak.  They learned from me; I learned from them.  Here is what I learned:

• Starting a car once is good enough.  Trying to start it again when it is already running produces no added benefit.  Only noise.  Maybe some fear of damage, too.
• Like coloring, cars should stay between the lines in a parking lot and on the road.
• As a general rule, don’t honk at any car with lights on top of it
  • If the lights are behind you and flashing, pull over even if you don’t want to.
• PARK is the gear you use after parking, not during.
• Not only are objects in the mirror closer than they appear, they are behind you.  Don’t slam on the breaks to avoid a head-on collision.
• Parallel parking and double parking are two different things.
• Insurance is an expense, not a guaranty.
• It is not OK to drive in the fully reclined position, even if you can see through the steering wheel.
• It is still my car, even if you put stickers on it.
• When you put the car in R, be sure to look in that direction.
• The radio cannot be louder than sirens.
• The ad on TV and the actual abilities of the car may differ.
• Only in cartoons do cars stop instantly.
• You will go faster downhill even if you don’t use the gas pedal.

I probably shouldn’t write this yet because there are still two DRUID neophytes waiting in the wings, and I am sure to learn something new.