teen driving Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

5 To Drive

Daun Thompson — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:33:31 +0000

In October, 2013, during National Teen Driver Week, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unveiled a new campaign that challenges parents to discuss five critical driving practices with their teen drivers. These five critical practices can have the greatest beneficial impact in the event of a crash. Which is, in my opinion, outstanding, since motor vehicle collisions are the number one killer of teens in America. Almost half of teens killed in crashes are the drivers, themselves. This campaign, 5 to drive, as well as additional good information can be found at distraction.gov (the official US government website for distracted driving). The list is designed to counteract poor driving decisions that have contributed to the high death rate among teen drivers.

The 5 To Drive safe driving campaign topics are:
1. No Cell phone use or texting while driving
2. No extra passengers
3. No speeding
4. No alcohol
5. No driving or riding without a seat belt

Most states already have the above restrictions for new drivers. In Texas, a new driver has restrictions for one full year after they receive their driver license. No talking or texting. Driving curfews. And only one non-member under 21 in the car with you when you are driving (i.e. they only want you to kill one friend at a time…not all of them at once). That’s a brilliant restriction since we would pack kids in our cars like sardines when I was a teen driver.

My chief complaint as a mother of a teenage driver is the options for driver training that are currently offered. When I was a teen, we had drivers education in high school. It was part of our curriculum. We had a simulator that looked like a bumper car with a little theatre screen on it. How appropriate, to learn how to drive in a bumper car. My father would also take us out on country roads in his truck and have us practice driving. So, in addition to our driver training in school, we got hands-on instruction from my dear old dad. And my dad was a drunk driver. So, I learned how to weave and drift across three lanes. He’d put his beer can on the center of the dashboard and say “Now, line that up with the edge of the road.” Then he’d climb over the seat and pass out. Now, most high schools don’t even offer driver education. Independent driving schools offer driver education at a high cost. Or, a teen can take an online driver education course for quite a bit less. And, in Texas, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers a Parent-Taught Driver Education course for the least expense. The cover letter in the packet is totally written by a mother, too. It’s already letting you have it as a parent. It says “This is a parent-taught driver education course. Not a child-teaches-child while the parent is in the other room watching television.” Most teens are now taught to drive by their mothers. When I ask these teens, they say it is because their father is too impatient. I ask mothers who have taught this course to their teens if they were in the room with them while they were doing the classroom instruction. Most say they were not. At least they’re honest. But that means that there are many teens out there driving around with a scant idea of what they are doing behind the wheel. It’s a chilling thought. The more parents are really involved with instilling important driving skills and habits and making sure that they are constantly reminding them and making them accountable for their driving actions, the better chance that their teen will not end up as a statistic.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

5 To Drive – Comedy Defensive Driving

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GROW UP, ALREADY! – YOUNG DRIVERS ENRAGED

Daun Thompson — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:06:40 +0000

Young drivers, in construction-heavy, rush hour traffic, are paying little mind to driving courteously. And that may be why a third of all drivers accused of road rage are in their 20’s and are responsible for more accidents than any other age group. Take a defensive driving class so that when you think: are young drivers enraged more or more out of control than in the past? It now appears that some of that baffling behavior of a teenager may be the result of neurobiology, and not raging hormones. As for my teenage daughter, she must be going through a large dose of both at the same time. Unfortunately, she and I simultaneously going through our own raging hormone parade. I had her when I was older. So, she’s going through puberty, while I’m going through menopause. You’ve probably seen the “fight” on Youtube. Sometimes we pass each other in the hallway and don’t even speak, nor do we make eye contact. It’s like walking down any sidewalk in New York City.
For many years it was thought that brain development was set at a fairly early age. By the time teen years were reached the brain was thought to be largely finished. However, scientists doing cutting-edge research using MRI, have found data contrary to these beliefs. It now appears the brain continues to change into the early 20’s with the frontal lobes, responsible for reasoning and problem solving, developing last. That must be why teenagers think and act differently. In calm situations, teenagers can rationalize almost as well as adults. But stress can hijack decision making. The frontal lobes help put the brakes (no pun intended) on a desire for thrills and risk taking. But they are also one of the last areas of the brain to develop fully. Added stress such as school, her first job, an immature boyfriend that always says the wrong things, certainly add to an already edgy situation. So, perhaps young drivers are more enraged for more reasons than we thought.
This is also why teenagers are four times as likely as older drivers to be involved in a crash and three times as likely to die in one. Oh, and four times more likely to be throttled by their parents for having a smart mouth. The parts of their brains related to emotions and decision-making are still in the works at that age. As their brains undergo rewiring, teenagers are particularly vulnerable to risky behavior, such as drinking and driving too fast. So, brain immaturity can explain why the teen crash rate is so high.
To find out how your brain rates, try this free test at http://www.braingradetest.com
And, I will be back next week with an all new show!
Daun Thompson

Young drivers enraged – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Sick Driving

Daun Thompson — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:12:30 +0000

The holidays are here! Entire families will be getting together. My parents are preparing their 900 mile journey to my house for Thanksgiving. Now that my parents are both retired, their favorite topic of conversation is their funeral plans. So my sister and I already know what we’re in for. Last year, my Mother cornered me at the dinner table “Do you like that china? I’m leaving it to you when I’m gone.” That’s just awkward, isn’t it? I don’t know any other way to get her to stop, other than dishing it back at her. “I’m having a dinner party next weekend Mom, how are you feeling?”

While some of us prefer to fly due to time constraints…and time is money! Families like the Duggars will have no choice but to drive. And perhaps a bus…I mean with 19 kids (and counting)? Yikes! Or should I say “ouch”. Some people are down with the long distance trek. With the economy the way it is now, many people commute to work as if it’s a cross-country trip. And, on a daily basis. You may want to burn a candle for those people if you make it to holiday mass.

The holiday season get-togethers, rubbing elbows during travel and other close encounters will also spread the cheer of the cold and flu season. Be careful driving while sick. Cold medications can most certainly make you drowsy. And, in most states, you could be arrested for drowsy driving. In fact, it’s just as dangerous as drunk driving. Even over the counter cold medications such as DayQuil or NyQuil. You know, anything that actually comes with its own shotglass is a pretty good indication that it’s some potent stuff. By the way, I’ve created my own favorite holiday drink. I call it the Green Weenie. Ever heard of it? It’s NyQuil and hot dog water. By the way, mixing cold medications with your holiday cheer is even worse. Theraflu and Vodka? No! Although, some people swear that a snoot of whiskey helps to ease (or kill) the cold and flu virus. I bet they wish the guy at the liquor store would take their co-pay like the pharmacist does! Just remember to not drink and drive.

And that tissue box you have in the back window of the car may just come in handy afterall. Can’t reach it? Just slam on the brakes and hold out your hand. Voila’! I’ll be back next week. Until then, practice responsible driving.

Daun Thompson

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Giving Your Teen The Driver’s Edge

Lisa — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:43:21 +0000

My Daughter will be eligible to receive a license to drive in October.And, quite frankly, I am terrified.She is a horrible little driver.She has her driver training permit and has been practicing…but not nearly enough to gain the experience required to avoid a crash.We haven’t even been on the highway yet.She’s not ready for that kind of scary.And neither am I (apparently, I’m a screamer).

I had heard from other parents of new drivers that there is a program out there that teaches real life emergency avoidance and response techniques, as well as overall driver safety.It’s an invaluable “supplement” for new drivers, in addition to their driver training.The program is called DRIVER’S EDGE (driversedge.org).It is a FREE (that caught your attention, didn’t it?) half-day program for drivers ages 21 and younger.

The program does a national annual tour.So, once registration opens in your area, you need to hop online and reserve a spot immediately, as it is on a first come, first served basis.You can go to their website ahead of time and give them your contact information if you would like to be notified when they plan to teach the program in your area. The registrant must have a valid license or permit to attend.

The program in our area is going to be held at Texas Motor Speedway (how appropriate for my little driver).It is taught by true driving professionals through a unique combination of behind the wheel and classroom experience.And the program was developed to address the unacceptably high number of youth related automobile collisions and fatalities that occur each year.Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the U.S.And teens are four times more likely to die or be injured in a car crash than older people.Apparently males are twice as likely as females to die or become injured in a car crash.Perhaps that’s why boys’ insurance is higher than girls’ insurance. The crash risk is high during the first year teens drive because they’re newbies behind the wheel…inexperienced drivers.Unlike we seasoned drivers with many years of experience.Most teen crashes occur on the weekends, when teens are too busy having fun to pay attention to their driving. ..also known as distractions.Teens tend to underestimate or not recognize dangerous situations.And teens are more likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, ride with an intoxicated driver, and drive after using alcohol or drugs.I know at least the speeding part is true.When I was a teen, I used to drive like a bat out of hell.I could have wallpapered with my tickets!But, I slowed it down after I had a baby in the car.There’s something about having a tiny, fragile baby in the car that makes one drive like a little old lady.And now that she’s a teenager, I just want to drive off a bridge.Funny how one reverts to old habits.

What Driver’s Edge will offer up?Every student has a chance to get behind the wheel with a professional instructor.These programs are taught by professional racing drivers and professional performance driving instructors.The experience includes evasive lane change maneuvers, ABS braking exercises, panic braking instruction and skid control instruction.In addition to behind the wheel instruction, they will also receive interactive instruction.Local law enforcement will be present to do a mock field sobriety test, compare the effects of impaired and distracted driving, show what to do and how to act if you’re ever pulled over, among other things.They also do a car care module which includes essential car care information, tire safety, proper seating, steering wheel and mirror positions, proper seatbelt usage, distracted driving and other current topics.

And, for those of you with some spare change, what a great charity to donate to.Driver’s Edge is a non-profit organization and public charity dedicated to one simple thing…teaching young drivers what’s not being taught in traditional driver’s education.Their sole mission is to help save lives with their unique and innovative behind the wheel program.And, to continue to be able to offer this program for free, donations are certainly welcome! And they’re tax deductible.

Until next week…keep those teen drivers safe!

Daun Thompson

(Daun Thompson is a comedienne, writer and artist residing in Dallas, Texas)

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Defensive driving this halloween: Trick-or-treat!

Lisa — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:12:31 +0000

“Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, gimmie something good to eat and I hope you don’t hit me on the street!”

All Hallows Eve is just around the corner and little kids in costumes are also just around the corner! Hitting a kid dressed as a Twilight vampire is not cool but hitting a 23 year old “Man-child” still living at home, dressed as a Dungeons and Dragons character should accumulate some points. Be careful when you are driving around the neighborhoods this Halloween. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,092 pedestrians were killed last year in the United States. Now when you break that down to the little children (Under 14) and Halloween, children are twice as likely to be killed as a pedestrian on October 31^st, than any other night of the year, according to Safe Kids USA. When I was a kid trick-or-treating, I thought you always had to watch out for that creepy old guy who lived on the corner and told us we had to drop our pants if we wanted some Butterfingers but now days you have to watch out for drivers, especially the ones who have been drinking!

Be out on the look for goblins and “Thriller’ versions of Michael Jackson this year, slow down, don’t drink and drive but if you drive a van, it’s probably not a good idea to slow down too much around the kids. Between the hours of 5:30pm and 9:30pm is prime time for these little dressed up bastards, so be careful, you don’t want to run over a kid who might be on their way over to egg your house!

I hope you have a fun, safe and happy Halloween this year! Don’t drink and drive and don’t sacrifice any animals to any Pagan Gods and one more thing….I still hate Butterfingers!

Join me again next week and until then….

Take Care and Be Safe-

Danny Keaton

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