Posted at December 18, 2008 @ 7:59 pm by drakestraw in About me
Just as you should take your car in for a winter check before it gets cold, you should pack some items in your car to prepare for an emergency during cold weather. These are some suggestions:
Blankets/ Sleeping bags
Gloves & Hats
Jumper Cables (should be in year round)
Boots
MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) or high-energy food such as granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit
Flashlight
Window scraper and snow brush
Shovel
Tow line
Sand bags (which can be distributed under intended tire path for extra traction)
You will want to avoid using the cruise control during winter driving. Likewise, you will also want to avoid using the parking brake. It could freeze and lock your brakes. In cold weather conditions, use your automatic transmission park gear or reverse with a standard transmission.
Posted at December 15, 2008 @ 8:47 am by drakestraw in About me
Review
This week we will be working on reviewing for the driving test. I will look at your cards to see what areas need more work. Like I’ve stated in the classroom, every student will take the driving exam with me. If you scored a B or higher in classroom, and averaged a 4 or better during the BTW portion, then you qualify for cooperative testing. Which means that you may not have to take the driving exam at the DMV. Keep in mind, you may still be spot checked at the DMV. They will check three days out of each month. If your birthday falls on one of those three days, then you will need to take the driving test with them. You must show them proof of insurance, before they will test you. So to save time, please carry your insurance card in with you to the DMV. You will also need your 1) Instructional permit 2) 50 parent log 3) 3 forms of ID 4) Cooperative Testing sheet (if applicable).
Tips for the driving exam:
Breath and relax. It is not the end of the world if you fail…oh wait. To a teenager, it will feel like the end of the world. If you fail, you will get another opportunity. Correct your mistakes, and pass it the next time you take it. Most failures happen because the individual is too nervous, and in a hurry. So, relax and take your time when you test. There are not extra points awarded to those who get done in record time.
Posted at December 11, 2008 @ 2:27 pm by admin in About me
This week in behind-the-wheel, students are working on adjusting their speed to adapt to winter conditions. It looks like mother nature going cooperate with our plans. Students will also be working on the ever dreaded parallel park.
Winter Driving Teaching Point
SLOW DOWN, and use the 4 second rule. Do everything early (ie. signal, brake, and stop). Most winter accidents can be avoided by slowing down, using the 4 second rule, and doing everything early. Another helpful tip is to allow for extra time to get to your destination. Finally, if your car does start to slide. Grip the wheel firmly, let off the pedal you were using, and steer in the direction of the skid.
Parallel Parking Teaching Point
We signal and pull to about 3 feet from the vehicle that we are going to park off. We pull-up so that our rear bumper is ever with the rear bumper of the vehicle that we are going to park off (VTWAGTPO). Once the rear bumpers are even, we put the vehicle in reverse and turn the wheel all the way to the right (double check to make sure nothing is behind you). Next, we back up with the wheel to the right until the midpoint of our car is at the imaginary line out from the bumper. This should put us at a 45% angle to the curb that we intend to park next to. We then stop and straighten the wheel (1 1/2 turns of the wheel), and back up until our front bumper is even with the back bumper of the VTWAGTPO. Finally, at this point we turn the wheel all the way to the left and continue into our parking space. It is just that easy?