I need some driving advice;-)

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Now I know Jerryl and Bill are going to laugh their heads off, but I am hoping the rest of you will be kinder;-) I will be 50 years old in two weeks and I have yet to learn to drive or have a drivers license. (I spent my adult life in NYC) one of the car dealers in town is giving a me car for my personal use and for the church. (My daughter has said she will not teach me to drive.) So for all of you have been driving for years, what advice do you have for a new driver and is possible to remain a Christian when people cut you off ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2002

Answers

I thought it is against the law for people who are 50 and older to drive. Clear the roads!:-)

Still a youthful 39,

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2002

Rev. Denise I thank you for giving a new reason to pray. Although from Bermuda I have driven in many states and some are scarry. Engalnd is worse in some areas but I will be praying for you. Be encouraged

P.S. Is there a law about over 50 and getting your permit? (Smile)

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2002

first of all you guys I am not over 50! And believe it or not I do have to get a learners permit. I know I can do all things with God. And as for you brother Rob, I think I will duct tape you to the back of my car and practice paralell parking.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
  1. Get the Big Picture. Be cognizant of all other drivers around you. This may seem frightening at first, but you will begin to develop a rhythm and comfort level. The old rule of thumb was to leave two second's space between you and the car in front of you. This is impossible in New England, where three cars will immediately fill that space. The Big Picture seeks out four second's space.
  2. Don't believe the lights. When a light turns green, don't start driving instantly, but look both ways to be sure oncoming traffic in both directions will indeed observe their reds. Last accident I was involved in was when a driver didn't think their was a light for them on the feeder road. I was not even the first through the intersection, but I was rammed anyway (no permanent harm to me or two children, but the Enterprise has been in dry dock ever since).
  3. The Speed Limit is the law. If it's posted 55, then 56 is illegal. We as Christians need to be more aware of this. I was really embarassed when a trooper pulled me over once, and I had all three kids in the car. God (and the trooper) was merciful. Unless you're going some massive distance, the extra 10 MPH doesn't add up quickly enough to offset the increased risk you pose to yourself and other drivers. If you need to get their that fast, plan ahead to leaver earlier and drive more slowly, i.e., according to the law.
  4. Treat "cutoffs" as both a prayer opportunity and a chance to improve your defensive driving skills.
  5. Put yourself in the driver's seat of the vehicle in front of you, and ask what you would do in that situation. It increases your ability to anticipate their options and actions, improving your ability to react by being proactive and preemptive.
  6. Change your oil frequently. A clean engine is a healthy engine, and a healthy engine lasts much longer.
  7. This is one of my modern pet peeves: Stay off the phone while driving!
  8. Don't forget to breathe. I hear the air of the Big Sky is delicious.


-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
Jerryl thank you for your wonderful advice, the suggestions you have given me are not in the driving manual and are based on your experience. One of the main reason's I am finally getting my license is to do God's work. We will be planting an A.M.E church in another town this year and it is 450 miles round trip. Also we now have a bible study in a town of 1000 people and I am excited about doing the work of the lord. Also this summer we are planning several A.M.E revival meetings on two of the indian reservations. Again Jerryl thank you for your sound advice. I am getting a lot of teasing, but it is all in good fun!

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
Denise:

This MUST be a post-April Fool's statement. I suppose you don't have any positive or official identification (US passport is OK) for perfunctory activities like check-cashing, getting into PG-13 movies or buying some cognac or vintage wine at your favorite distilled spirits (you Montanans know this as whiskey) store. Since I am a recently credentialed student in the fine art of defensive driving skills (I sat thru a 4 hour traffic school class for an alleged speeding violation), I can teach you everything about driving a car. Here are some invaluable suggestions. Feel free to cut, paste and copy in your favorite word processing program. First, since cars are rapidly depreciating assets, DO NOT BUT A NEW CAR every 3-4 years. Unless you have a fetish for squandering money, regular new car purchases is tantamount to throwing away money. Second, given the geographic terrain in the Big Sky state, I propose that you begin by learning to drive with a standard transmission (5 speed stick-shift). Everybody should know how to operate a vehicle with a standard transmission in case of an emergency. After mastering a "stick" the transition to an automatic transmission is a piece of cake. Third, purchase a minivan, pick-up truck or "huv" because all will efficiently transport both people and cargo. I know pick-up trucks are not sleek and "sexy" wheels for you swinging singles, but no one can deny their practical value. Finally, adhere to routine maintenance of your vehicle by having regular inspections for oil/lube change evry 3k miles, proper air pressure in tires, tune-up, etc. If all else fails or you choose to continue living this spartan lifestyle, I suppose horse and buggy can still safely transport you to places within reasonable distance :-) QED

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002

This is an attempt to normalize the font.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
If there is a AAA there, enroll in their driving school. Not only do they have good instructors, but your insurance premiums are discounted. Take care, I will continue to pray for you as you travel the Montana roads.

Also, Rev. Rogers, Bishop Bryant was in revival here in Philadelphia last week. It was wonderful. Praise be to God, I received a blessing through Bishop from the Word of God.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002

I was waiting for you Bill Dickens, you too can be duct taped to the front of my vehicle as I learn to master those mountain passes, by the way I do not drink, though it is true I am many, many, many, many, years younger than you. I could have sworn I saw your name as one of the original church members at Richard Allen's servies;-) The funny thing I do know how to ride a horse, drive a buggy and go white water rafting.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
God bless you Mary! Actually we do not have a driving school in my town. And my daughter who graduated from the same institution as Bill Dickens (which accounts for their weird sense of humor they both have regarding my driving) drives a stick shift, and I am getting an automatic van. Bishop Bryant and Dr. Cee are incredible. I know you received a blessing from our Bishop.

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2002
WOW!! I really dig the red letter font. Thanks Jerryl for the terrific upgrade. Oh, I see a few typos in my last post. The word in caps should read BUY not BUT and "suv" not "huv". I'm sure you already knew that so this errata note is probably unnecessary. Now, what is necessary is making sure our Mountain Woman Preacher take driving lessons, pass the test, memorize Dickens Rules of Driving and get some wheels. The other outstanding advice provided will also steer her in the right direction. Oh, Denise, back when I was a "playa" I used to cruise the street in my '78 Chevy Nova singing the tune of, "Diamond in the back, sunroof top digging the scene in my gangster lean". While engagement and nearly 10 years of marriage required I turn in my "playa's card", I still find it OK to look cool driving my mini-van filled with my two noisy children and their friends :-) QED

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002
Well, Rev Denise My recommendation is already taken care of. DO NOT DRIVE IN BOSTON Bro Jerryl can attest to that. Bostonians have a terrible reputation as drivers and your concern about folks cutting you off and remaining a Christian would be truly tested here. In defense of us native New Englanders, most of the bad drivers are from other places (smile).

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002
Bill I am getting a vehicle, one of our car dealers in town read about our founder's day celebration and is giving us a vehicle as a way of welcoming the first A.M.E church in our valley.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002
Bill, I,m glad you like the upgrade, but like you, I had typos in my original post. ONly the one comment about telephones was to be in red - now we have emphasized everything. :-)

Oh well, when Embry rejoins us, maybe he can switch us to a more soothing color.

And Boston's reputation, while desreved, oobscures its benefit. One can really learn Defensive Driving when one is confronted with everything the class teaches on each sojourn through the city streets.

I am reminded of a peculiar Massachusetts law that I had to adapt to before the Bay State adopted the universal driving code in 1980. Before then the first car at a stop sign had to stop. The next three cars could go through without stopping, if there was no oncoming traffic. That was the law. In practice, you could count on four vehicles going through tat stop sign, and anticipate more.

Quite a driving challenge, indeed.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Join the club, I turned 50 in Jan 2002. You will be just fine. How did you never drive? Getting my license was the highlight of my teenage years, without a license, we would have been able to drive or get to any thing awaiting our parents. Be determine to succeed, you can make and you will do well, because we serve and awesome God! Our class is turning 50 this year, we are planning a 50 birthday party to be held at our old elementary school where many in the class attended. My advise is to Praise the Lord, Trust the Lord and Lean on Him for all things. God is able to doing but fail. You are going to past the test with no problems. I wish I was learning to drive, right now. Peace,Linda

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002
Join the club, I turned 50 in Jan 2002. You will be just fine. How did you never drive? Getting my license was the highlight of my teenage years, without a license, we would not have been able to drive or get to run those errands for our parents; Be determine to succeed, you can make and you will do well, because we serve and awesome God! God will never leave or forsake you...even while you are getting your license, this will give you FREEDOM! Our class is turning 50 this year, we are planning a 50 birthday party to be held at our old elementary school where many in the class attended. My advise is to Praise the Lord, Trust the Lord and Lean on Him for all things. God is able to do everything but fail. You are going to past the test with no problems. I will pray that you past with flying colors. Get ready, Get ready...sometime new is about to happen! Peace,Linda

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002
Rev. Denise:

I was just surfin', looking for a site that would illustrate how to paralell park (my Austrian wife is getting her US driving license after not having driven for 8 years) and I ran across this string.

Jerryl had some good advice, but the safety cushion is FOUR seconds, not two. And yes, people will be jumping into the gap. The other thing I have an issue with is equating going 56 mph in a 55 zone with a sin. There is a difference between following the letter of the law and the spirit of the thing. Whenever I see a fish sticker on a car, warning bells start going off in my head. You see, anyone who is zealot enough to put one of those on their car is usually zealously following every letter of the driving laws. They tend to drive at or below speed limit and over causiously to the point of being an impediment to the flow of traffic...even dangerous. My suggestion to you would be to GO WITH THE FLOW. I'm not saying that you should speed excessively, but keep up a reasonable rate. Most places (outside of school or construction zones) there is an automatic 5 to 7 mph cushion built into the speed limit. It is just not worth it, from a financial standpoint, for an officer to start his engine and chase you down for any less than that (told to me directly from a hiway patrol officer). Also, they give you that much of a break because we are not machines! Not even a cruise control will hold you right on the mark in hilly territory. Everyone out there just wants to keep things moving smoothly, and you will incur a lot less road rage if you just try to roll with the traffic. As you gain confidence, drive with confidence. Don't be timid. Make decisive moves. Make a decision and stick with it. If you are about to miss your turn, your exit, your lane change,whatever DO NOT make some last second panic manouver! Eat your mistake and go around the block. Roll with the spirit of the law and it will keep the peace with your fellow drivers better than trying to stick to every detail of the driver's manual. Have fun!!! --L.K. PS Anyone have suggestions where to find a paralell parking lesson?

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2003

It is great hearing your advice from Australia. And give my best to your wife. Well I still have not learned to drive. Last year I got a massive infecrion in my foot that went to the bone and almost lost my foot. I spent almost a month in the hospital and most of last year in physical therapy. God is a mighty God!! I have my foot and I am walking very well, here is some good news a car dealer in our town is giving me a car next month. So yes I will finally get my license. Thank you for advice and encouragement and please keep me posted on your wives progress. God bless

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2003
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