Next Week: Aggressive Driving

I took a defensive driving class for work the other day, and I’ve got to admit I really enjoyed it. Abdul, the guy who gave me my orientation, told me I should sign up for it as soon as they offered it. Well last week I learned how to drive on the airfield (hint: avoid the airplanes), so I figured this would be a good time to learn how to do it defensively (hint: keep avoiding the airplanes).

 

I liked it because it was just like taking Driver’s Ed all over again, only with semi-current technology. A PowerPoint presentation that clearly came with the booklet and DVDs that, while appropriate, were just converted VHS tapes of local news programs.

As in every classroom, there was one guy who was convinced the whole class was there for his benefit. And while the teacher did tell us to share stories, he didn’t tell one story that made him look good, but I always wonder if it’s true or just he’ll tell us anything for attention. In culinary school, those people are generally treated to one or two freebies before mutterings of, “Shut the #@$% up” are heard. However, being mostly middle aged people, they were polite enough and just let him go. Besides, the more he talked the less likely their input was needed.

The class itself really offered nothing new, just reinforcement for what we all already know. Driving too fast is unsafe. Tailgating is dangerous. Always buckle up. But every point was punctuated with a little acronym to help us remember or a video to really burn the images in our minds.

My favorite part? Watching people who clearly had no acting ability fake road rage. Anyone who went to school with me knows I love educational films so I can laugh at how amateur the production typically is. Other than that, we got to share pet peeves. I’ve got a lot of them and driving in Denver rush hour traffic has not made that list get any smaller.

Was it effective? I guess it was. Just like being pulled over by a cop, I was suddenly driving the speed limit without thinking about it. Even worse, I noticed while driving Malia home that I was going 10 under the limit with no worry. Didn’t even phase me. If you ever get the chance to take this class, take it. You’ll relearn some things you’ve forgotten and may even get a discount on car insurance!