Driving Education
If people think that learning to drive is simply about making a vehicle run on the streets, they better think again. Driving does not merely cover the act of holding the steering wheel. More than anything else, driving is also steering the vehicle to its destination without hurting anyone or producing damage to property. In essence, responsible driving is a direct result of proper driving education.
The Basics of Driving Education
When Bertha Benz took her husband’s invention for the very first long distance automobile road trip, she officially started what we now call as driving. Her husband, Karl Benz, created the first patented motor car and went on to build what will eventually be known as the Mercedes-Benz Company. His wife’s stunt turned out to be the publicity that was critical to his success.
As a general rule, driving is learned and is not an activity that can be carried out purely through instincts. It requires physical skills as well as understanding of the rules that govern driving. It likewise requires mental skills since decisions will have to be made at any given time. There are documentary requirements needed to earn the privilege of driving on public roads and these includes driver’s license and passing certain examinations such as drug test and vision screening test. Formal training is offered by driving schools although many have learned through training of family members and friends.
Expected Skills of a Driver
The basic physical skills are the most obvious. All forms of driving instructions teach students to start the vehicle, set the transmission gear properly, accelerate and stop the vehicle, steer to the proper direction, and use car devices such as headlights and wipers. For student drivers to be considered educated drivers, they must also learn and master the skills related to proper decision-making and responsible use of the road.
Since the road will almost always be shared with other drivers, student drivers will have to learn techniques in maneuvering, control, and positioning applicable to emergency situations. Public roads seldom provide ideal situations thus drivers will have to contend with speed, obstructions, pedestrians, distractions, and even extreme environmental conditions that all affect driving.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving is basically about anticipating dangerous situations in driving and aiming to minimize related risks in spite of the mistakes of other drivers or adverse environmental conditions while on the road. The first defensive driving courses were offered in 1964 and these continue to be offered up to the present. These courses teach advanced driving skills that are beyond general existing rules and practices.
Drivers who take these courses are offered certain incentives by some local governments. In some countries, online and DVD courses are offered aside from the usual courses offered in training centers. Statistics would show that drivers who took these courses are the least likely to be involved in vehicular collisions and accidents.
Driving Attitude
The most common driving concerns stem from problems with attitude such as overconfidence, lack of respect for others, or self-centeredness. Learning the right driving attitude would require unlearning these bad habits. No amount of mastery of physical driving skills can neutralize bad driving attitude.
My Say
Road rage has become a fairly common occurrence which has led to many lost lives and injuries. So many vehicular accidents could have been prevented if only the concerned drivers knew how to conduct themselves properly on the road. Many advocate behavior change over attitude change because of the extreme difficulty in effecting the latter while the former can be more realistically achieved with repetition and practice.
Tess Chancellor
Driving needs the use of our senses. I have been driving in different countries and each one has different types of drivers and road rules. Until now, I am still learning.
Teresa Martinez
I can imagine what you are saying. Each country has its own specific road and driving rules.
peachkins
I learned how to drive in driving school but you don’t really learn until you go out there and drive. There’s a different thing that happens each you do and it’s a learning experience.
Teresa Martinez
Yes, you haven’t learned to drive until you are on the streets together with other drivers.
Driving Instructor Melbourne
I think it is all in the matter of mind if you really want to drive or not.
Teresa Martinez
You are probably right in this since a person who sets his or her mind to drive will usually be able to except if there are real hindrances to do so.
les
I don’t have the guts to drive 🙁 I don’t think I could ever do it.
Teresa Martinez
I once thought that myself until necessity forced me to overcome my fear.
bayenmd
Responsible driving must be highly promoted and even taught in driving schools.
Teresa Martinez
It should and I believe most reputable driving schools do include it.
Ness
I am all smiles while reading your post. i can still remember when I was learning to drive. It was the scariest moment of my life!! But I got no choice, I needed it for my job. Haha!
Teresa Martinez
It can be very scary. I remembered when I was still learning how to drive while enrolled in a driving school, I almost bumped another car on my second day.
Jason Cruz (@jsncruz)
I know how to drive, but not the Philippine-side of the road. Please contact me where I can learn to drive on this side, and at an affordable price. Driving schools are WAY too expensive, and I know the basics anyway (just the adjustment that’s difficult).
Teresa Martinez
I’m afraid that there is no other way to really learn driving in the Philippines whether as an adjustment from right-hand driving to left-hand driving or surviving Philippine roads and drivers but through experience. You already know the technicalities of driving which driving schools offer. I believe you are merely seeking to obtain confidence. Maybe you can ask for the help of a friend or relative which is what I did after finishing my lessons from the driving school. I requested a friend (professional driver) to accompany me in driving for about a week or two and then eventually found the confidence to be on my own.
Alwin Aguirre (@AlwinAguirre)
Driving is an attitude, I agree. And the reason we have bad traffic because of bad attitude, especially that selfish attitude.
I’m looking forward to driving my own car so I hope to learn to drive in the future. I just don’t know how I’ll handle this stressful task of driving along the streets of Manila.
Teresa Martinez
Manila is indeed a stressful place to drive in. You will never know what to expect from drivers even when rules are in place.
xleon
just got my non-pro license from LTO and it really feels great to have my license after having learned to drive. Driving education is definitely a must. This article should be read by both professional and newbies, great article.
Teresa Martinez
Congratulations on your newly acquired license. Thanks for appreciating.
mark morfe
My dad used to tell me that I’m very nervous every time I hold the wheel. I hope I could do some driving lessons soon but I need a car first.
Teresa Martinez
It can be very difficult to really learn driving without actual use of the skill.
amayachika
I studied driving lesson way back my college years. But so sad I did not make it. ^_^ Why? Because inside the car I am always shouting—NERVOUSNESS arises. ^_^ Hahaahaha….
Teresa Martinez
It is really kind of nerve-racking while learning. Practice and experience are needed to straighten the nerves.
special education philippines
I don’t drive and I have seen my ex-boyfriend (now my husband) drive for 12 years. He tried to convince me to drive but I couldn’t for many selfish reasons. Though I know one day I cannot escape anymore. It’s like swimming which everyone may not realize they need it but once you’re drowning you’ll wish you did take those lessons.
Teresa Martinez
It in admittedly a lot easier to be a passenger although knowing how to drive just in case is always an advantage.
special education philippines
Oh yes, It is very convenient to be just the passenger. And sometimes we don’t realize that we really should not distract the driver because he needs to concentrate in driving. However, I also heard that some people consider their driving a learned habit that sometimes they don;t realize that they are home already. These people appears to be able to multi-task. And that’s what I think driving by instinct can be dangerous. Because we have been too comfortable on what we do that our concentration is not as focused anymore on the road. What do you think?
Teresa Martinez
Even the most experienced drivers cannot afford to multi-task while driving. It is unfair for drivers to go out on the road and drive purely by instinct without the proper concentration and risk the lives of people and property which they meet and encounter on the road. It is not as if he/she is risking his/her own life only. The sad truth about car accidents is that so many good and careful drivers with their passengers lose their lives when they come across irresponsibly confident drivers. For me, if a person has anything else to do besides driving, he/she should get off the road and make it safer for everyone else.
Maricel
Driving is something I haven’t learned and probably won’t. Given the proper training and education, I am confident I would be able to drive and properly steer a vehicle. My problem really is that I’m afraid I’d accidentally run over a person, an animal or even hurt myself while driving. You could say that this all stems from lack of confidence. But at the moment, I’m contented either riding in a bus, a jeepney or even walk short distances.
Very informative post you got here, by the way, Teresa. I especially appreciated the brief history about the Mercedes-Benz company.
Teresa Martinez
Thanks Maricel, I always try to put in something informative in all my posts so there will always be bits of learning as readers go over my articles. With regards to your driving “plans”, I’m sure you will rise to the occasion when necessary.
levy
I hope that someday I could have a car and be able to learn how to drive. I want to visit a lot of places in Luzon.
Teresa Martinez
I hope you get to do that. Good luck.
nuts
I had my basic driving lesson many years ago but I don’t think I’ll pursue the lesson again.. I need to find a house first with a safe car park before I refresh my skill..
If ever, I will take note of defensive driving which I think all the drivers should have this skill.
Teresa Martinez
More than any other skill, defensive driving skills are best in avoiding accidents.
Karen
Well, some drivers really lack attitude in driving. Indeed, a good driver must balance attitude and driving skills for road safety.
Teresa Martinez
The road will be a lot safer minus the drivers with attitude problems.
Mommy Pehpot
I really agree with this. Learning how to drive really takes time and effort where one should take note before driving because it’s really serious thing if we just go on and without thinking of possible problems may occur. Thence, one should focus in learning how to drive. 🙂
Teresa Martinez
Driving always require focus, whether while learning it or doing it on a daily basis.
sigrid @ poshpost
hay….I have studied driving twice, got my students permit twice and know how to drive. but I prefer not to. LOL mag commute na lang me!
Teresa Martinez
I stopped driving for a while but had to again due to necessity.
rj's mama
I did enroll in driving lessons a few years back, I don’t have any idea how I survived 10days of that scary experience in Manila. But I really want to drive since I have to take my son to sports practice and relying on riding a taxi is a bit of a hassle (a few pass by our street).
So yes, maybe this next school break, I’ll brush up on my “driving skills”.
Teresa Martinez
Taking a taxi regularly can be costlier than using a car. I do hope you’ll finally get the courage to do it.
mommyjem
My husband taught me how to drive but I still need proper training. He would always tell me about defensive driving and driving attitude.
Teresa Martinez
Driving requires practice. One never gets over the fear unless one actually tries and does it.
zoan
i love people who are defensive drivers, if all the people who drives the vehicles are defensive I believe it can lessen or at least minimize the accidents that happens every day 😉
Teresa Martinez
That is true. Unfortunately, some drivers use the road as their stage for gaining attention.
Kaye Figuracion
I admire the drivers, especially the female ones, this is something that I don’t have the courage of learning, trying and doing. My knees shake with just even the thought of it. But who knows, someday, when I’m confident enough, I may try. And I will take note of the points you cited.
Teresa Martinez
Sometimes, necessity makes us braver. When other options are available and it works for us, we may not see the need to learn to drive.
Mye
Ahhh driving! I have long wanted to learn how to do it. Unfortunately, I am good at panicking with every little event that I see in the street so it’ll probably be not my thing.
Teresa Martinez
Maybe when you find a compelling reason to learn, you might just do it.
Les
I want to learn how to drive but I’m scared. I tend to panic once I see other vehicles on the street…dapat solo lang ako..lol.
Teresa Martinez
If only that can be possible but we cannot claim we know how to drive unless we survive occupying the streets with other drivers.