Tim Haas of Today’s Driving School emphasizes, “Recognizing this is critical for all motorists to ensure safety on our roads.”
Today’s Driving School, which serves a large portion of western Minnesota, helps educate new drivers to navigate public roads safely before obtaining their license. In Minnesota, drivers under 18 must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training, and 50 hours of supervised practice with an adult driver over the age of 21 before obtaining a license.
This means student -drivers need real-world experience, which requires practicing on public roads.
To ensure safety, Today’s -Driving School offers these guidelines for sharing the road:
• Be Patient and Understanding: Student drivers are still learning. Avoid frustration and give them space to improve.
• Expect the Unexpected: New drivers may hesitate, take longer to change lanes, or make mistakes. Stay alert, and anticipate sudden movements.
• Maintain Distance: Keep at least a three-second following distance in good conditions, increasing to four or five seconds behind a student driver.
• Stay Courteous: Avoid honking, yelling, or making rude gestures. This can fluster new drivers and lead to more errors.
Tim Haas recalls a moment where “I was with a student driver when they made a rather awkward lane change. A vehicle stopped next to us at the traffic light and shouted, ‘Learn how to f****** drive!’ My window was rolled down, so I replied, ‘She is, what’s your excuse?’” Such reactions aren’t helpful and only add stress to the situation.
Next time you see a student driver, be patient. They are gaining experience in the only real-world setting available – our streets, highways, and interstates. Your understanding helps create safer roads for everyone.