The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => News & Announcements => Topic started by: GORGAR 1 on August 13, 2013, 04:16:01 PM
-
Well my first born turned 16 today and he also got his L plates. He had only driven a paddock bomb before so the road is new to him and now scary for me :-) he has driven twice today mainly back roads and I must say I'm more nervous than I thought, maybe we take it for granted but its all new to him but he'll get there I just wish he wouldn't drive in the gutter lol
Anyone one else have any stories or advice.
Peter
-
Is he going to learn with a manual? Not only are equivalent cars much cheaper (if buying second hand), the additional car control and understanding of the dynamics are a must in my opinion, at least for the for few years. Learning in an automatic makes it too easy to "point and squirt", I sometimes think it makes new drivers too confident.
-
Is he going to learn with a manual? Not only are equivalent cars much cheaper (if buying second hand), the additional car control and understanding of the dynamics are a must in my opinion, at least for the for few years. Learning in an automatic makes it too easy to "point and squirt", I sometimes think it makes new drivers too confident.
I agree unfortunately both our cars are auto but I plan on getting him lessons in a manual :-)
When my twin girls turn 16 then I'll be a nervous wreak lol
Peter
-
Hahaha - enjoy this time my friend.
Our daughter went through this 2 years ago - talk about CRAP ONES PANTS on those first few outings.
But it gets better - and it happens quickly.
She started on AUTO and then got a manul car around 2 months into her L's
At that point I got 'sacked' as teacher as she refused to have me in the car when she was queen of the bunny hops
It was TOUGH.
Please ensure to saty on VERY quiet back streets and non used roads for just a little while and then get him out amongst it.
Before you realise it you will be CURSING the 120 hours log book details required WAY MORE than you are worried about the current level of skills.
Have fun and be safe.
-
Well my first thoughts are you must be an old prick. 2nd thoughts are that you made it home by the looks of it so it couldn't have been worse......at least he can't fall off a car. :o)
-
Agree with comments so far .. learning on a manual is the way to go as it teaches much more vehicle control IMO .
Stay on the back roads for at least the 1st few weeks , be patient , try and take your son out every day , and for the first couple of weeks I'd suggest keeping the lessons to no more than 30 mins .
Ideally try and find a quiet road that has a T intersection (I was lucky, one near me) as it gets them used to intersections early.
As Wotto says, the 120 hours seems to take forever .
IF you feel nervous now, wait till you are in traffic LOL
Professional lessons are a must (at least 4 - 6) , so that your son learns stuff you, your wife forget to teach, or don't know .
Been through it twice with both daughters , glad its over now .
-
When my step daughter was learning, I really wanted her to learn in a manual, but it wasn't my place (not being dad). My wife sort of agreed but wouldn't push it, so I came up with an offer I thought too good to refuse - I'd buy her a car if she would learn manual.
Believe it or not she refused as it would take too long to learn......
And yes, she bought her own old (automatic) car....... and wrote it off two months later.
-
Cheers for the comments guys we are taking it slowly but geez there's alot I need to teach him like looking twice when turning not braking hard and we don't need to take off flat out lol my wife refuses to teach him until he's alot more experienced so its up to me :-) I never dreamt it would be this hard and we have only done 2hrs.
And yes Blair I'm hoping he keeps this "upright".
Peter
-
Cheers for the comments guys we are taking it slowly but geez there's alot I need to teach him like looking twice when turning not braking hard and we don't need to take off flat out lol my wife refuses to teach him until he's alot more experienced so its up to me :-) I never dreamt it would be this hard and we have only done 2hrs.
And yes Blair I'm hoping he keeps this "upright".
Peter
Mate if you get the chance before you go away, or even afterwards, I'd be happy to take Ben out for a drive or two up my way, sounds like a good excuse to come up really doesn't it! I am still having weekends off and I have got 6 weeks leave approved from the 20/9 to 31/10.
-
Cheers for the comments guys we are taking it slowly but geez there's alot I need to teach him like looking twice when turning not braking hard and we don't need to take off flat out lol my wife refuses to teach him until he's alot more experienced so its up to me :-) I never dreamt it would be this hard and we have only done 2hrs.
And yes Blair I'm hoping he keeps this "upright".
Peter
Mate if you get the chance before you go away, or even afterwards, I'd be happy to take Ben out for a drive or two up my way, sounds like a good excuse to come up really doesn't it! I am still having weekends off and I have got 6 weeks leave approved from the 20/9 to 31/10.
Yep we will have to plan a weekend for sure :-)
Peter
-
Re hard braking - I took Kayla to a car park at night in the first few lessons and made here learn to judge 'distances off' by using the parking lines next to the car ( as we rolled along to get used to how long she needed to brake in advance) What I did was told her to just cruise along and roll off the accelarator with around 8 car spaces to go before the T intersection ( in the car park )......then had her brake slowly and comfortably and see where she came to a stop. After a very short time she realised that she didn't need to 'panic brake' as she ended up stopped ( say ) 2 or 3 car space distances off the T intersection and by doing this she also learnt about engine braking at the same time. In a couple of nights she was braking , in general driving, MUCH better.
The other thing I did was ALWAYS ask her 'whats behind you' - I must have said it 10,000 times at all random times JUST to ensure she was conscious of that and got in the habit of always looking in all the rear mirrors ( not just the windscreen mounted one ).
Also - these days they will be expected in thier test to glance left and right before moving through intersections ( yes even when they have a green light at a intersection with lights ) - it is a safety thing brought across from the motorbike courses and inspectors watch for it.
And yes - as GOODOLDDAYS stated - get some PRO lessons toward the back half of the 'season' - very important.
Cheers
-
Peter could you give us Caroline springs guys the heads up if your intending driving near us %.%
-
Well done to Ben! #*#
Also hopefully now he'll spend less time playing the pins and won't wipe the floor with us on all of your machines. :lol
-
Years ago when I was taught by a relative who is a professional driver his advice was - any idiot can hold on while a car goes forwards - if you want to learn car control - drive backwards.
Find a big gravel carpark and get him to practise driving backwards *in straight lines* and cornering without skidding. .. does wonders for car awareness skills
-
Years ago when I was taught by a relative who is a professional driver his advice was - any idiot can hold on while a car goes forwards - if you want to learn car control - drive backwards.
For some reason that reminded me of this scene from the movie dodge ball.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXHsNqkDI4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1ZXHsNqkDI4
-
The best money you would ever spend would be on an advanced driver training course IMO.
It teaches the right 'attitude' rather than the "I know all" that many younger drivers (including me many moons ago) seem to have.
It was the best thing I ever did for my son - it took the edge off his 'youthfulness' as far as driving goes and probably saved his life!
The opening address by the advanced instructor was:
"What is probably the ONLY thing you are likely to do every day that can KILL YOU? - go driving!"
This has stayed with me for many years now.......
-
The best money you would ever spend would be on an advanced driver training course IMO.
It teaches the right 'attitude' rather than the "I know all" that many younger drivers (including me many moons ago) seem to have.
It was the best thing I ever did for my son - it took the edge off his 'youthfulness' as far as driving goes and probably saved his life!
The opening address by the advanced instructor was:
"What is probably the ONLY thing you are likely to do every day that can KILL YOU? - go driving!"
This has stayed with me for many years now.......
Yes Mike I'd planned on sending him to a course for advanced driving should I do it for his 17th or 18th? we had an issue at a two laned roundabout yesterday I sort of panicked and i ended up saying go no stop now go no stop and I stressed him out I think we sat there for 10 minutes lol the problem was cars where going in the inside lane and he couldn't see and that made him ask me if it was safe to go, its so much harder with no peddles I feel helpless and sort of unsafe.
Peter
-
Do it when he gets his P's I reckon.
-
The best money you would ever spend would be on an advanced driver training course IMO.
It teaches the right 'attitude' rather than the "I know all" that many younger drivers (including me many moons ago) seem to have.
It was the best thing I ever did for my son - it took the edge off his 'youthfulness' as far as driving goes and probably saved his life!
The opening address by the advanced instructor was:
"What is probably the ONLY thing you are likely to do every day that can KILL YOU? - go driving!"
This has stayed with me for many years now.......
+1
Best advise to follow. I think that attending an "ADVANCED Driver's course" gives bragging rights to the kids that they have done a worthwhile "professional" course. It gives the kids a sense of responsibility, because they have been taught by professionals in a professional environment. That's not taking anything away from the parent's driving instructions, but in some cases the instructors are ex racing drivers or "car industry" people. I think once the kids do the course they learn the good habits and pass it on to their peers - "I did and ADVANCED driving course, so I'm a bit cooler than the other guys as their mum, dad or older brother taught them.."
I think it should be mandatory in each state.
I remember getting my motorbike license. You had to spend a day on theory and watching videos of accidents and bike rider's injuries. I think it shocked us into learning the right habits from "day 1".
-
My son's going through it now but is on 80 hours so it's much more relaxing going out now!
It's worth getting the free driving lesson that the government pays for. You do the lesson along with your learner driver. I found it really helpful in giving me tips on supervising a learner driver. You can check out how to get the free lesson on the keys2drive.com.au website.
oh and don't forget to keep breathing!
-
Good luck, Peter (and Ben)!
I hate driving in the city. Don't know how you teach a kid in Melbourne traffic.
Cheers!
Adam.
-
22 hrs into his driving all is going well $#$ only issue to fast around roundabouts, funny how teenagers are experts in everything haha
Peter
-
mitch has done his hours on 'L' he takes his 'p' in 6 weeks
-
mitch has done his hours on 'L' he takes his 'p' in 6 weeks
Nice is he confidant?
-
yes,but very sensible.and he has had to drive my manual ute.lol
-
22 hrs into his driving all is going well $#$ only issue to fast around roundabouts, funny how teenagers are experts in everything haha
Peter
Great to hear Pete. Since your thread started, I started discussing future driving with my two girls - now when I ask them what they will be learning with they both reply "Manual Daddy, we want to learn properly".
Ah parenthood, legalised brainwashing!! *)*
-
Yeah manual is the way to go although having said that both our cars are autos but he has driven a manual once thanks Blair ^^^ my only option is a few months before his 18th is to pay for lesions in a manual. Next I have twin girls OH GOOD HELP ME LOL
-
Yeah manual is the way to go although having said that both our cars are autos but he has driven a manual once thanks Blair ^^^ my only option is a few months before his 18th is to pay for lesions in a manual. Next I have twin girls OH GOOD HELP ME LOL
Looking forward to hearing about them = should be worth a chuckle or two!! &&
-
Yeah manual is the way to go although having said that both our cars are autos but he has driven a manual once thanks Blair ^^^ my only option is a few months before his 18th is to pay for lesions in a manual. Next I have twin girls OH GOOD HELP ME LOL
18? its 17 hear in sa
-
Our 2 daughters both learnt on my manual . They have had their own cars for a while now , both manuals . Eldest daughter is on her 3rd car and all have been manuals . None of their female friends know how to drive one LOL
-
Yeah manual is the way to go although having said that both our cars are autos but he has driven a manual once thanks Blair ^^^ my only option is a few months before his 18th is to pay for lesions in a manual. Next I have twin girls OH GOOD HELP ME LOL
18? its 17 hear in sa
Yep 18 for P's
-
When I was apx 14 yrs old, my dad used to take me along to his real estate parties/conferences and just the local friends type piss up nights etc.
He used to get hammered on bourbon n coke in his favourite take along crystal glass.lol
So my dad taught me to drive so I could drive him home. We lived in the country, and dad bought a new Ford Fairlane every year for his real estate business etc.
In todays money, it would be like driving the top of the range Ford or Holden. He was never nervous, cause luckily for me I learnt to drive n steer from age 10 when we went pig shooting in 4 wheel drives on many different properties. I remember dad teaching me how to do burn outs n doughnuts in a huge paddock etc.
His attitude was learn how to drive when the front or back loses traction incase one day on the normal road, the road is slipperly or oily etc.
I always said drive like a idiot, crash like one. So whilst he taught me the fun stuff, he taught me it so I could oneday save myself, or the car, or the passengers etc.
Everything today is different. Much more cars on the road. Some people say (the car learn to drive hire companies) that u shouldn't get your parents to teach u how to drive, cause all of us old blokes don't know the technical crap from the 2014 Drivers handbook etc. I sort of see both benefits from family teaching a young bloke and a professional driving school as well. Maybe a bit of both is the answer.lol
Pete, is he learning how to drive in your V8 ? Are u worried about the rims n the gutters etc. ? All part of being a Dad. Fun isn't it.lol
-
Well time flys hey :) the boys only 5 months off his P Plates and has completed about 85hrs of the required 120hrs. He's just started lessons mainly for a manual car as mine are all auto's there going well and I must say he's a good driver :)
Two weeks ago my daughter got her L Plates so it starts all over again and more grey hair lol
-
Well time flys hey :) the boys only 5 months off his P Plates and has completed about 85hrs of the required 120hrs. He's just started lessons mainly for a manual car as mine are all auto's there going well and I must say he's a good driver :)
Two weeks ago my daughter got her L Plates so it starts all over again and more grey hair lol
We all start from somewhere ! Sounds like they have a good instructor %$%
-
Well done Pete.
You facebook page often has photos of your entire cool family.
You are a lucky man. Good to hear both kids have got their dads driving genes.
Girls usually make safe drivers cause they aren't ratbags like us men. So your daughter should breeze through it as well. Well done Pete.
-
Cheers guys yeah the trick is not to panic or yell at them if they do something wrong you just need to be firm :) it can be scary especially in heavy city traffic but they need those conditions. Soon we will be car hunting for the boy he wants a SV6 VZ I'd prefer something older for a first car but later models are safer, gee my first was a $300 EH lol.