Commentary

Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) is a law that introduces new restrictions and requirements for drivers under age 17. Examples of restrictions include the number of passengers a driver is able to carry, and a teen-driver curfew. GDL also requires the driver to log 50 hours of driving prior to receiving his or her driver's license, which includes 40 hours of regular driving and 10 hours of night driving. This new program was put into place to protect teens, much as they might disagree.

Going through the GDL program was not exceedingly difficult. As a matter of fact, the most difficult task for me was remembering to write down my time after driving. It is hard to compare going through the GDL program to not going through it because I only have the experience of having done it. However, I can compare some of my friends' experiences to mine. Some of my friends who did not complete the GDL program barely practiced enough to receive their license. I witnessed them making some extremely careless mistakes that they might not have made if they had practiced more. I have no problem following the process-I realize that it is for my safety and the safety of others.

The most nerve-racking part of the GDL program was having my dad in the passenger's seat for 50 hours. I'm sure it was probably just as bad for him. The worst time was the first 10 hours because I was still getting the hang of things. He would get on my case for everything. I knew that it was all for my own good, but that didn't make it any easier. Things got better after I gained more experience. He started to ease up and relax after those first 10 hours. Despite the anxiety of having my dad critique me, I'm glad that he was there because he has a great deal of knowledge to offer.

I passed my driver's license exam about four months early, with ease and comfort. I would definitely say that my success with the license test was due to my extra training. I also feel like driving is second nature to me now. Most teens have to deal with peer pressure while driving at one time or another. It might take the form of racing, taking more passengers than you are supposed to, or anything along those lines. I am not sure how I will react under these circumstances, because one never really knows until they are in the situation. I just hope that I will not succumb to peer pressure because it is my car and my choice.

I sincerely encourage teens to follow the procedure of this new law. It is not difficult, and it is vital to the safety of all drivers.

GDL from a Parent's Perspective

The time from diapers to preparing for a driver's license seems to pass with the blink of an eye. However, Mother Nature sends us subtle reminders of days gone by with flecks of gray hair, or turning our hair loose bit by bit. When we endeavor to teach a teen the skills of driving we may even find ourselves assisting Mother Nature by accelerating the graying process, or by pulling our hair out altogether!

For this reason and many others, the Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) program is very beneficial, and, I believe, long overdue. Our kids have been watching our behavior behind the wheel for many years. In fact, they have witnessed the actions of drivers in every car in which they have been passengers. Scary thought isn't it?

GDL is a formal addition to gaining the privilege and accepting the responsibility of driving. It lays out a structured time frame for new drivers and requires 50 hours of driving time with a designated teacher, normally the parent or legal guardian. There should be little mystery as to how your child is driving and progressing because you will have spent 50 hours in the seat next to him or her.

Some may cringe at the thought, but I found it a worthwhile experience. In contrast, I think that my son was mortified-at least in the beginning. Here is Dad watching every little move he makes as he negotiates the family car in the parking lot. I say parking lot because before I let Scott out on the street, I wanted him to become familiar with how the car operated. The things that we take for granted, a new driver must learn. If there is one component of this process that is invaluable it is patience. Once Scott became familiar with how to drive the car in the wide open spaces of a parking lot, and I didn't have to grab the wheel from the passengers side or climb across the seat to stand on the brake peddle, out we went.

I have seen significant improvement and I have a very good idea of how my son will anticipate and respond to situations on the roadways. The GDL program has shown me that I have a great deal of responsibility to impart correct driving techniques to my son. Scott has done a terrific job at learning the skills of driving. As a father, I am very proud of how he has shouldered the responsibility of driving a car. I think that the GDL program has shown Scott the importance of driving safely, and I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that he is capable of handling the responsibility. I wholeheartedly endorse the GDL program as a parent. This concept (and new law) can only make the roads safer for all of us.

By the way, Scott would probably tell you that having me sit in the front seat next to him was nerve-racking, but I'm not sure if he would tell you that because I'm his dad, or because I'm a policeman.

Terry Jones is a 22-year veteran policeman and serves as division chief at the Aurora police department. Scott Jones is a sophomore at Thornton High School, eagerly awaiting his 16th birthday on May 8.

For more information

Check out the state of Colorado's Web site on GDL and Teen Driving at www.coloradodrivetime.com. The site has separate sections for parents and teens to learn about GDL and teen driving in the state. To learn about AAA Colorado's efforts regarding GDL, go to the following: www.colorado.drivetime.com/live.html.