During the 2nd marking period River Dell High School sophomores file into the health rooms where Mr. Looram and Mr. Garibell teach students how to be effective drivers.
Driver’s Education is a class that Mr. Looram, a physical education teacher, has been teaching for 47 years. He and other instructors have seen changes go through the course including: teaching with technology, new and advanced cars, and new laws implemented for new drivers.
The class is offered to sophomores at River Dell during the second marking period of the school year. It is meant to introduce the fundamentals of driving and how new drivers can use these skills in their daily driving.
The class helps students prepare for the state knowledge exam that they have to take and pass at the end of the class. When they do pass, they can either begin their six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with an instructor or wait.
When drivers finish their behind-the-wheel instruction they receive their permit. Afterwards they schedule their road test while spending at least six months driving while supervised.
Finally when they turn 17, if they pass their road test, they receive their probatory license.
Many current juniors, who either have their license or are still practicing with their permit agree that what they learned during Driver’s Ed was crucial to their skills as drivers now.
Madeline Connor, a junior, mentioned that, “I had Mr. Looram and it was a very chill class but the notes we took were really important for when we took the exam as well as going out there and driving.” Although they’ve had a bit more experience driving, they still admit to getting nervous on the road.
Another junior, Madeleine Krieger, admitted that what she struggles with the most while driving is, “Being on the road with other drivers, judging the distance between the cars correctly, and dealing with aggressive drivers.”
The sophomores all unanimously agree that they are very excited about Driver’s Ed and what they will be learning in the class.
Catherine Pollinger, a sophomore, commented, “I’m excited for driver’s ed because I’m really looking forward to being able to drive and I think that the teachers here will really do a good job at teaching me the basics of driving the fundamentals.”
Although excitement can be felt, a little bit of anxiety can also be perceived by the new drivers. Some of the fears shared amongst these new drivers are, as mentioned by one sophomore, “I’m kind of scared of cars coming out of nowhere and getting on and off the highway.”
Although many of these fears are common, they usually tend to go away with practice and time.
Driving can often be the beginning of a liberating era for many teens. With the ability to drive around, they can become more independent. Matthew Jung is most enthusiastic about, “Having the freedom to drive myself wherever I want and driving my dad’s Audi a5.”
Another sophomore, Alyssa Sgambati eagerly commented that, “I am excited to just be on the road. I can drive myself wherever I want, whenever I want, and to be blasting my music with the windows down!”
Overall, driving comes with many freedoms and responsibilities, these help many young people gain experience on how to deal with the real world.
To be responsible and able drivers, new drivers should listen to Mr. Looram’s advice. Looram confessed that, “It’s very bad to drive with a lack of confidence because your decisions aren’t as sharp.”
