“It takes a village to raise a child.”

As a driver education teacher employed by Albert Lea Area School Community Education Driver Education program I would like thank the community of drivers in Albert Lea and surrounding area for your patience and understanding when you see cars with “student driver” signs on them. You will see cars driven by novice drivers receiving instruction on appropriate techniques of behind the wheel driving during the school year and especially during the summer months.

These novice drivers have had thirty hours of classroom instruction. They have passed knowledge and sign tests indicating their understanding of rules and laws of driving. They have acquired the knowledge of how to drive however they lack the experience that licensed drivers have.

Getting behind the wheel and having the privilege to drive is a rite-of-passage for student drivers. Students are eager and anxious to learn to drive. As a driver education teacher, I provide six hours of behind the wheel  instruction to students who have obtained their permit.  Students are provided with hands on experience of driving practicing good and safe driving techniques. They do make mistakes. It is only through practicing, observing good techniques and following the rules of the road and the law, where they will acquire safe driving habits to drive defensively and avoid crashes.

I would like to remind licensed drivers in our community to try and remember how they felt the first times they were driving a motor vehicle.   Please be patient. In other words: Give us a break.Following too closely, not stopping at stop signs, passing on the right side when another vehicle ahead of them is making a left hand turn, speeding,  or extended honking a horn while waiting for a student who  is attempting to make a driving maneuver, only compound their anxiety and increases the possibility of a crash. We have driving laws to keep us safe during the driving experience. Please practice good habits while you are driving.

I would like to express a sincere thank you to Motor Inn and Vern Eide Dealerships for providing our driving program with leased cars at a reduced rate. It is great to have these dealerships that are willing to lease and maintain their cars in our driver education program.

In conclusion, please be patient with student drivers and set a good example for them to follow. It truly does take a village to raise a child.

 

Roger Zeman

driver education teacher

Community Education Albert Lea Schools