GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

WHEN PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY PRACTICE DRIVING


Our objective is to prepare an efficient and responsible traffic citizen. Such a worthwhile objective cannot be achieved with out
the expenditure of time and effort on the part of both home and school.

Parental assistance can serve, not to replace the high school course, but to supple-ment the driving portion of that course.

Parents should allow students to drive at home while taking the school course and after it completion. The parental role is one
of reinforcing skills introduced by the driver education teacher, new skills should no be introduced. For every hour of driving at
school, the student should have two hours of driving time at home.

1. Illinois law requires that a person learning to drive must have a temporary instruction permit in his possession and abide by
the stipulations of the permit.

2. The best learning takes place under conditions where patience, sympathetic understanding, and mutual respect abound.

3. A good system of communication and/or method of instruction should be established at the outset so each person knows
what to expect of the other.

4. The car should be driven by the experienced driver to a quiet residential area. It is best to select a level and lightly traveled
area for the first few practice sessions.

5. Before driving, the student should become familiar with the operation of all controls and safety devices since these differ from
car to car.

6. To begin with, the car should be started, moved forward a short distance and then stopped a few times so that there is an
opportunity for the student to adjust to this particular car. Each car has its own "set of feels" and control pressure points.

7. Practice left and right turns at slow speeds, on level streets at first and then progress to various kinds of turning situations.
Emphasize good timing and coordination, especially during the "unwinding" stage.

8. Practice driving parallel along a curb to within 6 inches for the development of lateral judgment.

9. Good lane control will result from practicing "high-aim" steering. The main points of concentration should be toward the
center of the lane which the car is being driven. Lightly traveled, rural blacktops are excellent for such practice and the
development of good speed control.

10. Stress good visual habits at all times:

-- "High-aim" steering

-- "Getting the big picture" by constant scanning of the traffic scene and the use of the ground viewing habit.

-- "Keeping the eyes moving" by checking by both mirrors and gauges regularly with quick glances. (Avoid fixing the eyes on
any one point for any length of time.)

Insist on turning the head at the approach to intersections.



11. Practice adjusting speed to:

-- road conditions

-- traffic conditions

-- vehicle limitations

-- driver condition or proficiency

12. Progress into traffic gradually as the student becomes proficient in the manipulative skills and visual habits. Cross through
streets, turn onto and off them, then travel on them.

13. "Read the traffic picture" well in advance and "cue-in" the student when necessary. At times have the student "read the
traffic picture" aloud to you.

14. If a hazardous traffic situation appears (for which the student is not ready), it would be best to slow and pull over to the
side and wait for the situation to clear before proceeding.

15. Sit so that you are able to place your left hand on the steering wheel quickly if need be. In an emergency be ready to place
the selector level in neutral or to turn off the ignition.

16. Short practice sessions (30 to 45 minutes) are better than one or two longer sessions. After considerable practice, a long
drive on the highway may amply demonstrate the effects of fatigue and tension at the wheel.

17. It is best for beginning drivers to become proficient in the use of automatic transmission automobiles before learning to drive
the manual shift car. Research now indicates that the late model automatic transmission is the safest car to drive under all
conditions; in most cases it is now also just as economical.

18. At intersections, beginning drivers usually need to take more time to see and evaluate what they see. They should not have
to be embarrassed because of the need for extra caution or an experienced driver's lack of patience or understanding.

19. We believe that most new drivers should spend a minimum of 25 to 30 hours of supervised practice behind-the-wheel
before they are granted the privilege to "solo".

The student will usually receive 3 hours of practice behind-the-wheel, or its equivalent, in the school driver education car.

20. The student driver will function and learn best under conditions where mutual respect abounds., The responsibility of the
parent is fulfilled by giving proper guidance and setting good examples. Combined with formal high school driver education,
supplemental practice driving offers a sound contribution to the development of the skilled safe driver.