For Parents of New Drivers

[NMAmy]

Wow. DD doesn't even have her license yet but she's taken driver's ed. Every time the child gets in the car with me, she points out something that either I'm doing wrong or other drivers.

Yesterday, not only did I not have my hands in the 10 and 2 position, we were going slowly down a service road with no other traffic and no driveways coming out and I (gasp) took my hands off the wheel to get something out of my purse. She gasped and told me, "I'm going to do that during my driving test and tell them that my mom does it all the time." She's such a tattle tale.

So, all of you terrified parents of new (and bossy) drivers--what rules of the road have your kids caught you flouting?

 

[Megster]

sometimes my mom forgets to use the blinker...

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

My DD has had her permit for 60 days now . . .and she started driving school last night . . .She does analyze my driving now . . .which is kind of scary, but last night after I picked her up she yelled at me that I was driving with one hand and that I blew through a yellow light . . . .

I think its time for DH to have his turn with the now critical Kristen . .

 

[Pam]

I get busted for:

Tailgating

Not applying my turn signal in enough time

Applying my turn signal too soon

 

[NMAmy]

I guess we should be happy they're paying attention in driver's ed but, frankly, no one has really critiqued my driving skills in about 26 years since I first got MY license. I guess I'm going to have to straighten up and fly right (or drive right, I guess!)

 

[monarchsfan16]

Let's see. My mom doesn't always stay in her own lane, occasionally forgets the blinker at intersections and changing lanes, but always remembers to signal turning out of the driveway
My dad drives too fast (90 in a 55 anyone?), almost never uses the blinker, beeps the horn whenever he feels like it, drives with one hand, definitely doesn't follow ten and two, cuts people off, etc
It's been 3 years since I was in drivers ed. And I still have no problem telling them what they're doing wrong. It's just a good thing they don't ride with me driving much

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I used to encourage my DD to notice hazards that she saw when I was driving. I started encouraging her a while before she got her permit. So it wasn't so much that she was noticing things I was doing, but more what she'd notice about other people. She would react if she sensed I was approaching a possible "situation" too quickly (ie, someone that seemed like they were going to pull out in front of us without giving us the right of way, etc). Maybe I should get her to chime in. She might give a different story.

 

[froglady]

Oh yes, I remember when DD got her license. She still is highly critical of my driving; it's amazing that I've managed to survive without an accident for the last 30 years.

In their defense, teenagers are generally starting to drive at the same time their parents' driving skills are starting to gradually decline, so it is possible that we aren't driving as well as we think we are.

 

[NMAmy]

Oh yes, I remember when DD got her license. She still is highly critical of my driving; it's amazing that I've managed to survive without an accident for the last 30 years.

In their defense, teenagers are generally starting to drive at the same time their parents' driving skills are starting to gradually decline, so it is possible that we aren't driving as well as we think we are.

I suppose it's POSSIBLE, froglady, but I've learned to ignore dd's criticism since she's at the age where she's hypercritical. I don't think I'm a bad driver anymore than I think I'm a horrible dresser, singer, or just all around embarassing person. DD's getting better (thank heavens!) but for awhile there--I was kind of surprised that people weren't pointing and laughing at me on an hourly basis for my all around weirdness.

 

[mickman1962]

Tell her that it is no longer recommended to have your hands at 10 & 2 it is now 4 & 6. If you look at most newer cars you'll actually see spots for your hands at these positions. It is so if the air bags go off your not punching yourself in the face.

 

[noseybuddy]

DS17 new driver pointed out to me that I am NOT allowed to hang anything from the rear view mirror.

 

[NMAmy]

Tell her that it is no longer recommended to have your hands at 10 & 2 it is now 4 & 6. If you look at most newer cars you'll actually see spots for your hands at these positions. It is so if the air bags go off your not punching yourself in the face.

Ha! Good point, mickman. Since my hands were not actually near the steering wheel at the time, I kind of lose my credibility, though. I'll keep this in mind for next time, though. I usually keep my hands at about 5 and 7--or 5 OR 7 when I'm driving onehanded.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Ha! Good point, mickman. Since my hands were not actually near the steering wheel at the time, I kind of lose my credibility, though. I'll keep this in mind for next time, though. I usually keep my hands at about 5 and 7--or 5 OR 7 when I'm driving onehanded.

yep...it's no longer 10 and 2...it's more like 5 and 7 (4 and 6 isn't really comfortable for me...I'd actually be more 9 and 5. hehehe

my brother drives at 6...with his knee. heheheh.

 

[Maleficent13]

my brother drives at 6...with his knee. heheheh.

You mean this isn't how it's supposed to be done? How else can I talk on my cell and change the radio at the same time??

I never dared say anything about my parents' driving...after all, they were the ones who controlled my use of the car...why tick them off unnecessarily? I think I might remind all these critical children of this fact, if it was me...but then, I'm evil that way!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You mean this isn't how it's supposed to be done? How else can I talk on my cell and change the radio at the same time??

Don't forget eating the sub sandwich!

 

[N.Bailey]

Let's see, this could never be an all inclusive list, but I'll start with a few major ones:

1. going thru a red light (has been accidental)
2. going thru a stop sign (has been accidental)
3. hitting another car because I drove too close and just skimmed the side of it
4. parking too far from a cub
5. speeding
6. forgetting to turn down my high beams
7. not wearing a seat belt
8. going down a one way street in the WRONG direction


I could go on, but I think you get the point. I'm a terrible driver and I HATE driving. They don't even want me to begin to teach them. Wonder why?

 

[Jeafl]

I get accused of not stopping at a stop sign long enough. My daughter is being taught to stop, then sloooooowly say S.T.O.P before she gets moving again. If there are no other cars around, I just stop and go.

In any case, I usually fall back on the old "Do as I say, not as I do". Works for me.

 

[pfishgirl]

DS is almost 16 and also taking drivers ed.. My biggest thing is my rolling stops.. DS reminds me every single time...

 

[Maleficent13]

I get accused of not stopping at a stop sign long enough. My daughter is being taught to stop, then sloooooowly say S.T.O.P before she gets moving again. If there are no other cars around, I just stop and go.

In any case, I usually fall back on the old "Do as I say, not as I do". Works for me.

Tell your DD that this is what I was taught too...and then when I took the actual test he dinged me three points for hesitating too long at a stop when there was no other traffic. Only three points I got taken off.

 

[NMAmy]

Ok, well, you'll all be happy to know that I regained my credibility last night. I doubt it will last but, hey, one night of a teenager's admiration is a big deal and hard to come by.

We had a plumber at the house last night and because said plumber had my kitchen torn apart to repair the sink, dd and I went to get some takeout for dinner. We had to take DH's car because mine was blocked in.

DH's car is a stick shift. Now, I drove a stick for years but I've had an automatic since dd's been old enough to critique my driving skills. She was amazed that I could change gears, work the clutch, and drive through 5:00 traffic without stalling or freaking out.

See, I do have some skills!