Fayette.Talk

By Jay

February 11, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

16’s TOO young Abby….now that I think about it 17 was too young back when I got my license. Just try telling me that back then; or your daughter now. I’m just glad I have at least 6 more years until i have to go through it….more, much more if you’d like my opinion. I’ll just try telling that to my son when that time comes. Good luck to you and your daughter out on the road…..she’ll be fine.

By john

February 11, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Atlanta drivers have something against using a turn signal when they change lanes. Just because you know which lane you’re going into doesn’t mean that the rest of us do.

Also, these drivers have an extremely hard time positioning their car in the proper lane when they want to exit. The seems to miss the numerous signs that are placed a couple miles in advance telling them where they need to be. I hate driving in this city.

By LM

February 11, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

unlike many, I look forward to my 15 yo getter her license. It will take a lot of pressure off my shoulders for her to be able to drive herself around. We live in a fairly rual area, nothing is close, so even a quick run to the store can be an hour excursion. I recently had a accident (non-car related) and am unable to drive, this has forced her to drive more and in return she has developed more confidence in her drive. There are still ares she needs to work on, but I am noticing improvment each time we have to go out.
I also feel that waiting for a child to drive is a mistake. I am noticing that children who don’t drive or wish to drive, don’t have jobs, don’t learn respondibility which comes with having a job and making payments towards useing a car, either buying or insurance. Many of these same kids, then don’t understaned the responsibility needed to manage college, and often return home to live with mom & dad while attending community college. I am looking forward to a “empty nest” and want her to have the skills to continue growing into a productive adult. Too me, learning to drive is a big step in the right direction.

By mark

February 11, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

she should get out on the highway on sundays early in the morning so she can get used to getting onto and off of the traffic ramp…if you make it seem to scary she may end up in a wreck due to paranoia of being on the highway

mark

By BigB

February 11, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Introduce her to the highway on the least busy hours. There are very few places you can go these days without using a highway, and the incidence of accidents is also less frequent on the highway despite the increased speed.

By Buzzer

February 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Learner drivers or drivers who recently passed their test should have a sticker on their car to idnetify them as learners etc. This might help other drivers to be aware of any sudden movements and in addtion be kind to those that are learning. Seems to work in the UK where one has an L for learner or a P for provisional (first year of driuving on a non learners permit)

By MOM OF 3

February 11, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

I too have a 16 year old behind the wheel. Although I worry I know how cautious he is. He is very good at checking in with me. (calls when he arrives/and is leaving) We let him drive solo for the first time on I-20. He was falling us from the park. He did great. This as suggested was on a slower Sunday afternoon.

I grew up in MS as a teen. Permit at age 14 license at 15. I drove all over the state then. They can probably handle way more than we want to admit or give them credit for.

Good Luck I understand

By Bob

February 11, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Hey Abby, Congrats on your daughter passing, here is a couple of additional points to add to your list…… - Pay attention! - Watch the car in front of the car in front of you! - Here in Phoenix Az, we have a huge problem with red light runners, when the light turns yellow, you don’t gun it, you stop and wait for the next green. - Ease in practicing on the freeways and in and around donwtown and city traffice, along with the one-way streets.

Happy Driving.. Best Regards Bob Phoenix Az

By jc

February 11, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

We made our daughter drive with a learners permit for 2 years. One year is not enough time in metro atlanta.

By 2 Boys

February 11, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Congrats on her passing the test and you know she will do fine. Now, I have 10 years to go before I have to go through this but just need to know if there are any medications out there that I can start taking to help ease the nerves for our Sons to start driving in ATL traffic?

By Sandy_G

February 11, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

All of the above sounds great, but those all deal with standard driving situations. What about the unexpected? I hear way too often about young drivers that are killed or seriously injured because they lose control of their vehicles when a tire blows out or they inadvertently drop a wheel off of the pavement at highway speeds.

http://www.carcontrol.com/ is an outfit that I believe the AJC did a story on recently. They put new drivers in unexpected situations on a controlled course and teach them things like how to steer out of a skid and how to react quickly and correctly without panicking.

The cost is $169 for the course and when my kids are of driving age, they will each go take the course. Another thing that they will all have to know and be able to demonstrate to us (even the girl) is that they are able to change a flat tire and know how some basic automotive care like where to add oil or water to the car if needed, how to check their tire pressure and add air, etc.

Knowing how to use your turn signals is great, but knowing what to do when you have three seconds to act before an accident, can save your life.

By John Smith

February 11, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

1)You left out counseling her against tailgating and cutting off another car (which puts the other car in the position of tailgating). In Atlanta traffic, you may have difficulty achieving the 2 seconds of space, but you want to leave as much room as practical between you and the driver ahead of you. 2) While 5 mph over the speed limit is vital on the interstate, it can be deadly in a neighborhood. Turning into your neighborhood is also the wrong time to make that cell call you’ve been putting off.

By JJ

February 12, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

My child just turned 17 and still has her learners. I have no problem driving her whereever she needs to go. I can not stand the thought of turning her loose on Atlanta roads with these crazy drivers. She has only driven on the highway once, and that was early Saturday a.m. and she drove up 985 to get us to Helen. It scarred the crap out of her (And me too).

She will be getting her license during spring break, and I AM NOT looking forward to it…….

By sharon

February 12, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

My 16 year old got her license three weeks ago. I don’t worry about her being on the road. I worry about the other uncourteous drivers, the teenagers that drive like bats out of hell and drivers talking on cell phone. I find myself holding my breath until she walks in the door. I am a big believer in Abbys 4-6. My daughter is only allowed one passenger in the car. If she breaks this rule, we will take the car. I also told my son and daughter that if they are ever stopped by the cops they are to be respectful, not make any sudden movements and keep their hands where the cops can see them at all tme.

By lawrencevillemom

February 12, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

My daughter is 17 and has had her learner’s permit for over 2 years (in fact we just had to renew it). She is a very cautious person and has expressed little or no interest in driving so we have not pressed it. But with only just over a year left before she leaves for college I think I will have to force the issue this spring and put her in driver’s ed and see how things go. I have to admit that there are days when I need to be in 3 different places at once that I think it would be easier if she had her license but she is STILL not ready and we both know that. I always stress to her that other drivers are not watching for her so it is her job to watch for them.

By Noelle

February 18, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Abby those are excellent pointers to teach your daughter. My daughter is 16 and got her license Dec. 28, we also got her a car for Christmas because she has several activites afterschool. Now she has a job where she had to drive on the expressway to get to work and she does fine. My best advise is this - DON’T GAUGE IT BY WHAT OTHERS SAY GAUGE IT BY YOUR DAUGHTER’S ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS. I have a 23 year old son who totalled 3 cars before he was 20. My daughter is much more responsible and honest than my son was at her age. We didn’t get him a car or license until he was ready to leave for the military and we allowed him to get his license. He bought his first car himself and totalled it himself. Praise God no one was ever hurt.