'Pass' to Driving Independence

"It's not practice makes perfect; its perfect practice makes perfect"- Tony Robbins.

For young adults seeking independence, driving is a crucial skill to learn. However, becoming a good driver takes more than practice and experience; it takes proper preparation and expertise.  

Parents are the primary instructors for most children learning to drive, but is this the best solution? Before jumping to conclusions, there are a few things to consider. First, when surveyed, 53% of Canadian drivers admit to using their cellphone when driving; this number is alarmingly up from 38% in 2018. Also, 72% of parents admit speeding to make a game, school bell, or meeting on time. Then there are the legal issues. For example, 95% of parents may not be up to date with the constantly changing provincial driving laws, and 81% did not take their original driving exams in the same province where their teens will be graded. Thus, the question begs to be asked: should parents be the ones to teach their kids to drive? 

As a parent of a hopefully soon-to-be driving young adult, it became a personal quest to weigh the options and true costs. Especially as the ultimate goal is for the student to learn to be a lifelong independent, safe driver who successfully passes the driving exam.

During my research, I learned that rules differ from province to province. For example, the space distance between the wheel and the curb while parking varies. Fail. In B.C, drivers must keep in the right lane to let others pass since the law changed in 2015. Fail. Flashing lights in B.C. does not mean a driver is clear to turn left. Fail. Finally, when parents teach their teens to drive, they can inadvertently pass on bad habits and driving vices which may lead the student to fail the driving exam and threaten the safety of the driver and others on the road. Fail.

Statistically, it's proven that things can go wrong. According to Transport Canada, of the 13 percent of young driving people who make up licenced drivers, they comprise 25 percent of all road-related injuries and fatalities. Reportedly the average cost of a fender-bender is $200 to $1000, but more is needed to account for the total cost. Loss of the vehicle's operational time, higher insurance, lack of eligibility for a no-claims conviction-free discount for up to ten years after the accident, injury, and a blow to one's confidence must all be factored into this cost. Fail.

Although we all want to believe that we are excellent drivers, the laws have changed over the years, and different laws exist from province to province. In addition, there are better ways to learn to become a driver than trial by error when a proven method exists. Skills and knowledge required to be a good driver are not generally passed down from family members and are better learned in a structured educational environment. Skills and expertise for performance on the road are critical for achieving independence. Safety must be the highest priority. As many parents know, they can pay the price now or pay a much greater price later. 

Now for the solution. Invest in a local driving school where they teach the current and relevant laws of the road, scenario safety, and attention to detail that can be rewarded by passing their GLP program. This is a qualified option that is accredited by ICBC and knocks six months off the N requirements. When supportive parents partner with professional driving lessons, they become essential co-pilots. This investment of time ensures teens get more practice to build driving skills and confidence. This leads to doubling the ICBC recommended 60 hours of training and will cut the likelihood of a crash as a novice by 50%. 

Let's talk about the cost of a professional driving school such as the local Beep Beep Driving School. Beep Beep strives to provide teens with the foundational knowledge, skills, attitude and hazard perception to keep themselves and others on the road safe during their lifelong journey as a driver. For $1650.00, students get 18 hours of GLP Zoom Classroom Instruction during six 3-hour classroom sessions, 14 hours of GLP One-on-One In-Car Driving Lessons, a 90-minute Road Test Package, and use of a Beep Beep car for the final road test. This cost is easily justified with a success rate of 80% passing the GLP on the first attempt. 

"Generally speaking, almost all drivers on the road do not follow the rules: speeding, following too close, road rage, not using signals, texting and much more. GLP students and their parents want to be better than everyone else on the road, and investing 18 hours into GLP driving theory classes provides students with far more risk perception and driving knowledge which ICBC rewards with six months off their minimum 24-month N: Novice Stage before going for their Class 5 licence. GLP drivers who completed an ICBC-approved driver education course were between 9% and 13% less likely to be at fault in a crash while in B.C.s Graduated Licensing Program," says a Beep Beep representative.

Rather than a new pair of skis this Christmas, why not give the gift of the GLP course to a new driver? The next course is charted to run over Spring Break 2023, March 13-15 and 21-23, 2:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. And there will be another course again in July, 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Seven Summits Centre for Learning supports the idea that knowing better means doing better. The Seven Summits facility is available for teens who need a place to get together to study and access the internet for the Spring Break session of Beep Beep Driving School.  A professional driving education enhances attitude, ability, and lifelong driving habits, especially as the aim is to make safer drivers for a lifetime, not just to pass the exam but for parents’ peace of mind.

Contact information: For further media information, please contact Seven Summits Centre for Learning Administrator Tanis Shippy at info@sevensummitslearning.com 

Author: Tara Hauck, Marketing Coordinator Seven Summits Centre for Learning.

About us:Seven Summits Centre for Learning is an exceptional public high school experience that offers a blended learning model for grades 8 through 12 in Rossland, B.C. Please help us to honour and promote our incredible students, past and present, by placing our articles in your newspaper.

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