I agree that you should teach your kids to drive at an early age and that
autocross (or motorkhanas for us) are a great way to teach CAR CONTROL
but they don't do a squat for defensive driving.
Car control is really important - it helps you to drive (or avoid) yourself
out
of a potentially dangerous siituation. It helps to to avoid loosing control.
Defensive driving is the art of *avoiding* the dangerous situation by
observation and anticipation (of the worst possibilities). Autocross won't
help there - only your noggin' and guidance from an experienced driver.
Car control and defensive driving are different but both are desirable.
It is up to you to teach your kids about how to drive defensively, and
to encourage them to do Autocross so that they can enjoy spirited driving
in a safe place and learn valuable driving skills at the same time.
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Clarici <spritenut@Exit109.com>
To: Ajhsys@aol.com <Ajhsys@aol.com>
Cc: dannyr@flint.umich.edu <dannyr@flint.umich.edu>;
spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Saturday, October 24, 1998 5:51 PM
Subject: Re: a Very Sad thing
>Ajhsys@aol.com wrote:
> A plea from a parent to all
>> listers...Teach you kids how to drive properly, even if they show no
interest
>> in your beloved LBC. Defensive driving comes naturally if you have ever
>> driven in an autocross.
>
>I agree 100%. I have tried my best to teach my son defensive driving.
>I am in the process of drilling my daughter now as she has her learners
>permit.
>I always tell them "what if..." and ask for an immediate reply.
>Like what if that trailer came undone from the truck? Or what if that
>guy is trying to out run the police?
>BTW, my son had a Mini as his only car which he learned on and my
>daughter has the A40 as her only car and is learning on it.
>They both drive the Sprites too.
>
>Frank (hoping he taught them well)
>
|