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Have a new driver in the family?August 22, 2005 Awareness is the most important quality for new drivers to acquire, says an instructor at the Dodge/Skip Barber Driving School, where one of the courses they offer is specifically aimed at new drivers. He also says it is something that cannot really be taught, but emphasized as an attitude. "We have a program for new drivers in our One Day Driving School," says marketing manager and instructor Rick Roso, "and we try to teach new drivers — particularly teenagers — the importance of being aware and anticipating." Rather than focus on teaching performance driving techniques, Rosa says, the daylong "New Driver Program" concentrates on using awareness to help avoid situations that involve losing control of the car. Key to that, Roso says, is being aware of drivers ahead and on either side, and being conscious of the road conditions. "You want to be thinking and focusing on what might happen so you don't experience a sudden, unexpected situation." The other element emphasized is the importance of good tires as the critical element in driving safety. "Tires are the entire determining factor in maintaining control with the vehicle," Roso says. "We always recommend BFGoodrich tires to our students because those are the tires we use on our driving school cars." Roso says school instructors urge new drivers, particularly teenage drivers, to get proper new tires, "because the grip is everything. We recommend BFGoodrich Traction T/A tires because they give the best traction over the widest range of conditions. "In the one-day course, we give them the experience of a loss of traction, so they know what it feels like," Roso says. "This helps give them respect for the importance of keeping the car under control. We let them feel what a slide is like — where the tire begins to lose its grip — and they appreciate the importance of grip." Want to learn more about how to keep your teen safe behind the wheel? Visit the Dodge/Skip Barber Driving School online at www.skipbarber.com/driving_school/driving_school.aspx Photo courtesy Dodge/Skip Barber Driving School |
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