When I was 16, I couldn’t wait to get my license. I lived just outside the city limits, and having a license equaled freedom. I didn’t care what I drove, I just wanted to not have to ride my bike miles into town or to school.
Maybe it’s a first-born thing; when my daughter turned 16, she was ready. She had researched online driving schools, taken and passed her driver ed course and written test on her own, and scheduled her behind the wheel for the day she turned 16.
My son is a completely different story. He really seems to have a much more relaxed attitude about driving; he’s nearly 16, and only completed part of his online course. He’s taking it slow, not in a rush whatsoever.
I guess I shouldn’t rush it; it’s kind of like when your kids were learning to walk. With the first born, I couldn’t wait to see her take off. Once she did, I realized how stressful it was worrying about where she might slip and fall and all the mischeif she could get into!
It’s the same with driving; when the firstborn gets behind the wheel it’s a definite milestone, but when you’ve spent hours waiting up for them to drive home safely on a Saturday night, the thrill is kind of gone. Quickly.
Luckily, my girl is an awesome driver. But she hasn’t ever had the opportunity to participate in driving simulations to show her just how dangerous it can be to not know how to really handle a car in hazardous situations – she’s learned a bit on her own, unfortunately. The good news is that I just found out about a cool program sponsored by the Ford Motor Company – they’re going around to different cities to offer an Advanced Driver Training program, and they’re coming to the Sacramento area May 13-14. And the best part? It’s completely FREE! And we’re going! Want to join us?
Here are the details:
Ford Driving Skills for Life is a FREE program developed in 2003 in conjunction with the Governors Highway Safety Association and a panel of safety experts to address the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States – vehicle crashes.
Operated by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the award-winning DSFL program provides newly licensed teens the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs. An emphasis is also placed on the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.
Teens will drive specially-equipped vehicles on road courses under the supervision of professional instructors, improving their skills in these key areas:
• Hazard Recognition • Vehicle Handling • Space Management •Speed Management • Reaction Time
• Braking and Stopping Distances • and how to Avoid the Dangers of Distracted and Impaired Driving.
WHERE: McClellan Park
3140 Peacekeeper Way
McClellan, CA 95652
WHEN: SATURDAY & SUNDAY, June 13 &14
Session 1 – 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (both days)
Session 2 – 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (both days)
REGISTER: Spaces are still available for the Ford Driving Skills for Life program. For more information or to register a teen driver for a session, please go to www.drivingskillsforlife.com. This website has useful resources for teen drivers, parents and educators.
We hope to see you there! Not in northern California? Check their website for a location near you!
Disclosure: mamawolfe received compensation for sharing information on the Ford Driving Skills For Life program. mamawolfe is not responsible for the accuracy of information presented or for the quality or safety of any products mentioned.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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