My Mom is
Driving Me Crazy
By Skye Bates

It all started in junior year when my mom informed my twin sister and
I that she saw no need for us to take Drivers Ed. She explained that
our frontal cortex would not be fully developed until we were 20 and
that we had no business driving until then. Well, she was only partly
kidding. We did take drivers ed, passed our road test, and received
our license this summer. That was when the REAL fun began. Every time
I leave the house, there are many, many questions, concerns, rules,
warnings and restrictions (no driving at night! no driving on
highways! cell phone in trunk! Yes - trunk). She is a nervous wreck
when we are driving.

In keeping with
the hysterics, she enrolled my sister and I in a defensive driving
course. "I know you are prepping for college exams, taking AP
honors classes, working and trying to have a social life, but this is
important," she said. So we signed up, and off we went. Which
leads me to the reason my mother is always right.

The defensive
driving course in the State of New York is incredible. I learned so
much about car crashes, road rage, DUI, and most memorable, what
actually happens in a collision. I have never even thought about
this. It was interesting, scary and eye-opening. I was always a
careful driver, but none of my mom's words made me any more cautious
that I would have been. This course make me ultra careful and helped
me anticipate road hazards. I am so glad I took it and and I know
now the importance of being a safe, effective, defensive driver.
Thanks, mom!