Car Control Road Show.(driving instructions training)(Column)

Byline: Kevin A. Wilson

The Sears Driving School instructor had good advice for parents after my youngest son's state-mandated training. Under Michigan's graduated licensing program, the course-12 hours in the classroom and six on the road-was required before Colin got his learner's permit. The instructor was preparing parents for the next step, 50 hours of wheel time, at least 10 at night, with a parent before the student is eligible for another round of classroom instruction leading to a road test and restricted license.

Sears? What the public schools offer didn't look much better than what they'd given me 30-odd years ago: a phys-ed teacher/field-hockey coach picking up a few extra bucks on the side. The Sears instructors do it full time, at least. Sounding much like the advice Phil Berardelli offers parents in his Safe Young Drivers book, the Sears guy's ideas for ride-along parents ring true to my experiences with Colin's two older brothers. Like? Like don't undermine their confidence by being overcritical. And, even as he suggested going for 100 rather than 50 hours of wheel time, he also said don't overdo it-after 20 minutes, both parent and teen will be tired. Time for you to take the wheel. Too bad only two parents showed up to hear this advice, though 20 students were in the class.

The Sears instructor said only one alarming thing: "Although they've only had six hours of driving, I think you'll be surprised at how good they are at car control.'' Maybe the parents of those other 18 kids-the ones who didn't think this mattered enough to show up for lunch hour-would be impressed. My notion of car control, however, goes deeper.

Which is why Colin's 19th through 21st hours of instruction came under the supervision of the Jim Russell Racing School. We were only five minutes from home, though, not at the school in Sonoma, California. Many of you have responded positively to Dutch's recent piece about taking his son Jake to Bondurant, but maybe you think ...