It’s Never Too Late to Learn New Driving Skills

If it’s been 10, 20 or 50 years since you got your driver’s license, you might feel like there is nothing you don’t know about operating a car. You hop in, start the engine and your brain flips to autopilot.

Well, not so fast. Do you know the hand positions on steering wheels have changed since you first took driver’s education in high school? Or that you should determine your distance from the car ahead of you in seconds, not feet? Are you sure about what a flashing yellow arrow means? And what the heck is a gore, anyway?

No matter how long you have been driving, there is always more to learn. So, I recently decided to sign up for the AAA Defensive Driving Course, which took place at a hotel near my home in Long Island.

Talking to other students about their reasons for taking the course, I found the primary motivation was receiving 10% off the cost of collision, liability and no-fault premiums every year for three years. Drivers can also get up to four points dropped from their driving record, assessed within 18 months prior to the class.

Insurance discounts and points reduction apply in New York, but not all states. For example, similar benefits are available to drivers in Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island, but not Massachusetts.

“I came for the reminders and to save money,” said Lauren San Miguel. “I’ve taken the course four times. It got off to a bit of a slow start, but I would recommend it to people to save money.”

A Little About Me

I’m Ellen Delisio and I’m a content producer at AAA Northeast. Let’s just say I’ve been driving for a few decades and took driver’s education in high school shortly after the Earth’s crust cooled. Besides classroom instruction and actual driving, we trained on driving simulators, which resembled video games, and I even had to memorize hand signals.

I am in the unique position of being an “experienced” driver with an 18-year-old son who recently completed driver’s education, got his license and has been reminding me (often) of how driver’s education has changed and that some of what I learned no longer is relevant.

Also, the cost of adding him to my car insurance made my checkbook (yes, I have a checkbook) run for cover, so any break I can get on the bill is appreciated.

Who Was There

The six-hour AAA Defensive Driving course, which includes two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch, includes a review of safe driving practices, information about car maintenance, road rules as well as an introduction to new driving regulations and car technology.

Many in the class were repeat customers, said instructor Larry Engel, who has enjoyed teaching the course for eight years. “I like the interaction with people, and I like passing on knowledge,” he explained. A retired IRS employee, Engel completed a 40-hour course and passed a test to qualify as an instructor; he gets recertified every three years. “I hope they learn new things, and it makes them better drivers,” Engel said before the course started.

The group was eager to share comments and anecdotes related to the course content, which Engel allowed to a degree. The class was a mix of men and women of different ages.

Among those repeat attendees were Patricia Bartolomeo and her husband Anthony. “I take it every three years to save money, and I learn something new,” Patricia said. The couple plans to expand their AAA usage to other services. “I just decided I needed all the things AAA offers,” Anthony said. “We drive to Pennsylvania a lot and I’m getting too old to change tires on my own. I’m also looking forward to using the travel and DMV services.”

Anthony’s only complaint about the course was the length. But it also is available online, so you can complete it at your own pace.

Class Is in Session

The course kicked off with a video showing how technology and improved designs have made today’s cars sturdier and safer. While driver-assistance features like backup cameras, automatic warning signals and lights improve safety, drivers should not rely on them exclusively.

“Technology can be helpful, but also can be a distraction,” Engel said. “And it does not always work. When backing up, always look behind you.”

Most factors contributing to crashes are under the driver’s control, Engel noted. These include checking for low tire pressure, cautiously changing lanes and not driving too fast on wet and icy roads. “Drivers often underestimate their risk,” he continued. “You can always reduce your level of risk.”

Call me overcautious, but now I find myself driving more slowly at the first sign of a raindrop.

Observing risky behavior by other motorists and receiving an insurance discount prompted Ken Kilfoyle to sign up for the course. “I’m a livery driver and I need to refresh my skills,” said Kilfoyle, adding that he is 63 and has been driving since he was 17. “I see a lot of scary things on the road.”

What I Learned

I’ve highlighted seven things that I learned, although there were many more. I also got some unbelievably valuable refreshers about navigating intersections and other tricky situations such as traffic circles.

Following Distance

For those of us who were instructed to leave about two car lengths behind the car ahead of us, the new rule is to stay between three and four seconds behind. To determine that, when the car ahead of you passes a stationary object, like a tree, count the seconds it takes you to pass the same object. If it is fewer than three or four seconds, you are following too closely.

Gore

The class also reviewed some updated road signs, including ones for a yield line, bike box, fire hydrant location and a gore area, a triangular space between an off-ramp and a through travel lane, on which you should not drive. For most of the class, this was our first introduction to a gore, but now I have my eyes open for one.

Who Goes First?

Without a doubt, many drivers could use a review on navigating a four-way intersection. Here we go: The first driver to arrive at an intersection proceeds first. If two cars arrive simultaneously, the one on the right has the right of way. Vehicles traveling forward also have the right of way and drivers must always yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The most common causes for crashes at intersections include a driver neglecting to see an object or car in or near an intersection, turning when the view was obstructed, performing an illegal maneuver, incorrectly assuming another driver’s actions and mistakenly judging a vehicle’s speed or a space in traffic, according to the course material. As you approach an intersection, cover the brake and tap it if you are slowing down, Engel advised.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

If you encounter a flashing yellow arrow pointing left at an intersection, that means yield the right of way. A flashing red arrow means to come to a full stop and then turn.

Hand Position on the Wheel

My son and I had several arguments about this. He kept insisting my hands were in the wrong position on the steering wheel. And he was right. After starting the car, you may automatically put your hands on the wheel at 10 and 2, based on a clock face, as I did, since it was drilled into all of us of a certain age. Wrong. The new recommended position is 9 and 3, now that cars have airbags. If your hands are in that position, the airbag is less likely to break your wrists if it deploys. For the same reason, sitting 10 inches back from the steering wheel is considered safer.

Rear Seat Belts Are Mandatory in New York

Ensure everyone in the car is wearing seat belts. Surprisingly, rear seat passengers in New York were not required to wear seat belts until 2020. Now the penalty for noncompliance is stiff: failure to wear a seat belt in the back seat is a moving violation, resulting in tickets to the passenger and driver, and points on the driver’s license.

Drowsy Driving Is Like Drunk Driving

Each year, about 1 million people are injured in alcohol-related crashes, Engel noted. Among other risky behaviors, intoxicated drivers are more likely to drive the wrong way on a highway. But
drowsy drivers, as it turns out, can be just as deadly. When people drive after sleeping only four hours or less, they can be just as impaired as if they were driving intoxicated, according to the course. If you are struggling to keep your eyes open, pull over.

Other Takeaways

I would recommend the course to anyone seeking to become a more confident driver and looking to save money. The course both enriched and expanded my driving knowledge, reminding me to constantly be aware of my surroundings and introduced me to new regulations. If I ever see a gore, I’m going to jump out and take a picture.

Student feedback was also positive.

“This was very informative, and I always like the instructor,” said Uriel Valasco. “And I learned that pedestrians and cyclists always have the right of way.”

“Every three years I take it and learn a lot, and hopefully become a better driver,” added Judith Marquez. “I didn’t know wearing seat belts in the back seat became a law five years ago. I would recommend it because you learn so much. People will be surprised.”

Engel was optimistic about the class putting lessons into practice. “This was a very positive, animated group,” he said. “Hopefully the outcome will be very positive.”

Interested in taking the AAA Defensive Driving Course? Sign up here.

Have you ever taken a defensive driving course? What was the most surprising thing you learned?

Featured image: Instructor Larry Engel reviews road signs during the AAA Northeast Defensive Driving Course.