Daughter's first highway miles...

[magindat]

Yep, Magindat, Jr. just turned 15. She got her permit while visiting mom. GRRRRR.

Anyways, I picked her up yesterday and let her have the driver's seat. She's been moving the Marauder, driving in the yard (when we had acres) and driving in our little neighborhood since I got the car.

There was construction on the nearby highway entrance, so we went through town to find a clean on-ramp.

She did quite well for her first time on the highway. White knuckled at first but relaxed. She started getting comfortable (read less nervous) driving at 80-85 in the go-lane.

Lane changes were excellent and her following distance was prudent. I was very proud. I was, however coaching her on looking ahead and that anything can happen. I was coaching her to always see 'the escape route' whenever she saw brake lights.

Well, dontcha know it. It happened. A minivan lost it about 3/4 mile ahead and hit the guard rail, flipped and shot back across the highway on it's side.

We couldn't see the actual wreck, but we sure saw brake lights. She hauled that 4500+ pound monster from 80 to nuthin with NO ABS as good as I could have. Tires never made a sound. Left nary 2 feet between us and the car in front. I could smell the brake pads burning! I was nervous during the braking, but super-proud after we stopped.

My confidence level shot up a million points in a moment. So as any good father of a daughter would do, I took her to buy more shoes!! Ha!:banana2:

I'm kinda glad it happened. It really punctuated my coaching and made it 'real' the first time out. That'll stick with her... I hope.

I wanted to share this with the other dads out there.

Nice work Jamie.

[Bluerauder]

Yep, Magindat, Jr. just turned 15. ... She started getting comfortable (read less nervous) driving at 80-85 in the go-lane..... She hauled that 4500+ pound monster from 80 to nuthin with NO ABS as good as I could have.
Not sure that I would let or even encourage a new 15-year old driver to exceed the speed limit doing 80-85 MPH. Doing so telegraphs a message that it is "acceptable". You need to know that she knows and understands the rules when you are NOT in the car. That way you may feel a little less nervous when she is 15 minutes late coming home one night. Glad that she was able to stop the MM in time --- but it would have been better not to be in that position at all.
JMHO.

[magindat]

Not sure that I would let or even encourage a new 15-year old driver to exceed the speed limit doing 80-85 MPH. Doing so telegraphs a message that it is "acceptable". You need to know that she knows and understands the rules when you are NOT in the car. That way you may feel a little less nervous when she is 15 minutes late coming home one night. Glad that she was able to stop the MM in time --- but it would have been better not to be in that position at all.
JMHO.

I appreciate it. I AM a realist with her on many levels. I'd sooner have her moving with the flow of traffic than putting along. She's always been good about knowing when she can do what and she knows the law. I push her so that 'normal' is easy.

In any event, the folks all around us had to hammer the brakes as well, so even if it was 70 - she done good!

[Blackmobile]

Not sure that I would let or even encourage a new 15-year old driver to exceed the speed limit doing 80-85 MPH. Doing so telegraphs a message that it is "acceptable". You need to know that she knows and understands the rules when you are NOT in the car. That way you may feel a little less nervous when she is 15 minutes late coming home one night. Glad that she was able to stop the MM in time --- but it would have been better not to be in that position at all.
JMHO.

I hate to point this out, but when you and i were in the 15 range, 80-85 WAS the speed limit. LOL I have to side with Rich on this one, Knowing how she handles the extremes is what will make you confident she'll know how to handle the norm.
Oh, by the way, There isn't enough alcohol in the country to make me numb enough to let my 15 year old drive the MM. He's asked about the learners permit, and I've politely used the I can't hear you mode of parenting.

[magindat]

Oh, by the way, There isn't enough alcohol in the country to make me numb enough to let my 15 year old drive the MM. He's asked about the learners permit, and I've politely used the I can't hear you mode of parenting.

Not to dog anyone's kid, but that'd be the difference. ALL kids are different and it's our job to parent accordingly.

Speaking of your MM, Ed. I'm going to Al's in about 10 minutes!!!

[Krytin]

Dude - sign her up for the first Teen Street Survival Course in your area after she gets her licence. It's a full day w/classroom and one on one training on skid pad/slalom. Best $60 I ever spent on my Daughter!!!
LInk from TireRack or your local BMW club.

[Bluerauder]

I hate to point this out, but when you and i were in the 15 range, 80-85 WAS the speed limit.

I never remember 80-85 MPH speed limits ... at least on the east coast. When I was that age, I recall 70 MPH as fairly common. I taught my kids to drive and anyone of them can take my MM any time. I agree that they need to be able to react properly to those out-of-the-norm emergency situations but not within 30 minutes of getting the learner's permit. Guess we will just have to disagree on this point. Even I won't push a car that I am unfamiliar with (i.e. rental or loaner) until I get a "feel" for how it handles and reacts. I like Krytin's suggestion ... sounds like a good investment as reasonable prices.

[magindat]

Dude - sign her up for the first Teen Street Survival Course in your area after she gets her licence. It's a full day w/classroom and one on one training on skid pad/slalom. Best $60 I ever spent on my Daughter!!!
LInk from TireRack or your local BMW club.

That is something I have always planned on and looked forward to!!!

[magindat]

I agree that they need to be able to react properly to those out-of-the-norm emergency situations but not within 30 minutes of getting the learner's permit.

True. But you get what you get. It's not like I secretly planned for a minivan to wreck in front of us!!!!

Anyways. Thanks for your concern, but stop stealing the thunder. She did VERY well, handled it well, and wasn't a mental wreck in the aftermath. For all that, I am proud.

[TAKEDOWN]

Yep, Magindat, Jr. just turned 15. She got her permit while visiting mom. GRRRRR.

Anyways, I picked her up yesterday and let her have the driver's seat. She's been moving the Marauder, driving in the yard (when we had acres) and driving in our little neighborhood since I got the car.

There was construction on the nearby highway entrance, so we went through town to find a clean on-ramp.

She did quite well for her first time on the highway. White knuckled at first but relaxed. She started getting comfortable (read less nervous) driving at 80-85 in the go-lane.

Lane changes were excellent and her following distance was prudent. I was very proud. I was, however coaching her on looking ahead and that anything can happen. I was coaching her to always see 'the escape route' whenever she saw brake lights.

Well, dontcha know it. It happened. A minivan lost it about 3/4 mile ahead and hit the guard rail, flipped and shot back across the highway on it's side.

We couldn't see the actual wreck, but we sure saw brake lights. She hauled that 4500+ pound monster from 80 to nuthin with NO ABS as good as I could have. Tires never made a sound. Left nary 2 feet between us and the car in front. I could smell the brake pads burning! I was nervous during the braking, but super-proud after we stopped.

My confidence level shot up a million points in a moment. So as any good father of a daughter would do, I took her to buy more shoes!! Ha!:banana2:

I'm kinda glad it happened. It really punctuated my coaching and made it 'real' the first time out. That'll stick with her... I hope.

I wanted to share this with the other dads out there.

Nice work Jamie.

Hopefully I'll be able to coach my crazy son the same way! I've got a few years to relax...he's only 6 years old!

[BAD MERC]

It's good that she immediately got to see the reality of driving with people who can and will crash in front of you.

[MM2004]

Good story with a happy ending! Glad she safely brought the MM to a stop.

Unless mistaken, you have upgraded your brakes that would certainly make it easier to slow it down?

I have about 8 years before I cross the path of teaching my daughter to drive a vehicle. And dread the day knowing how many idiots are on the road.

Have you reinforced to your daughter in looking thru the glass of the car she is following? (when permissible)

This can add seconds to your reaction time if hard braking becomes a reality.

Mike.

[magindat]

Good story with a happy ending! Glad she safely brought the MM to a stop.

That's what I thought!!!


Unless mistaken, you have upgraded your brakes that would certainly make it easier to slow it down?

Yes, I have. It's lowered on cut stock springs which also helps with 'pitch'.


I have about 8 years before I cross the path of teaching my daughter to drive a vehicle. And dread the day knowing how many idiots are on the road.

It really is about priming them for the actions of others.

to squelch that dread, if possible (and for some time it was with me) teach them to drive things young. Go karts, 4 wheelers, even cars in nice open, unpopulated areas. Then, they respect motor vehicles and the fear of controlling a vehicle itself is NOT compounded with the fear of others controlling theirs!!!!


Have you reinforced to your daughter in looking thru the glass of the car she is following? (when permissible)

This can add seconds to your reaction time if hard braking becomes a reality.

Mike.

Yes, of course, and this was part of the aforementioned 'coaching'. Again, it's why I'm glad the lesson of 'anything can happen' showed itself on the first day so that my words were reinforced and not just 'yeah, whatever, it'll never happen to me' complacency.

Thanx
Rich

[fastblackmerc]

She'll be fine.

Just tell her to stay off the cellphone and NO TEXTING while driving.

[Rocknthehawk]

I never remember 80-85 MPH speed limits ... at least on the east coast. When I was that age, I recall 70 MPH as fairly common. I taught my kids to drive and anyone of them can take my MM any time. I agree that they need to be able to react properly to those out-of-the-norm emergency situations but not within 30 minutes of getting the learner's permit. Guess we will just have to disagree on this point. Even I won't push a car that I am unfamiliar with (i.e. rental or loaner) until I get a "feel" for how it handles and reacts. I like Krytin's suggestion ... sounds like a good investment as reasonable prices.

Why not?

reality isn't going to take a break just because your kid can drive now.
as obvious by rich's experience, anything can happen.
what are the chances there's going to be an accident on the highway while he's riding along with her? I've been driving for 3 and a half years, and never seen an accident.

Thank god you were out coaching her, and she reacted in a safe manner. Glad to hear she knew what to do!!

[arejayesss]

I have met Jamie several times now and can honestly say she is years ahead of others her age. She can change the cars oil, install air dams, wire radios, etc. This is all from Rich teaching her and spending time with her. I would let a daughter like her drive any car I owned, no matter the price or ponies under the hood. Like Rich said, she has driven this car around their subdivision and other unpopulated areas in the past. This was not her first time in the car. I am glad that everything worked out and you are both safe, although I'm not surprised. Way to go Jamie!! Hows that guitar playin'?

[ctrlraven]

Yep it's all in the parents comfort level. I grew up driving on back country roads with posted speed limit of 30-40mph and which you could easily do 50-60mph.

I trust my mom's judgement with things as she has well over a million miles logged (from adding up mileage put on all of her past vehicles). She taught me to drive manual, bare foot and with the tach covered up so I would learn to shift by the sound of the engine and mph. Needless to say if it has wheels I can drive it.

I bet your daughters heart/stomach was in her throat when all that happened. Thankfully you have taught her well and she knows the car. Tell her if she does good in school you'll take her to some race car driving class lol.

[Aren Jay]

Wow I wasn't even born when my Dad was 36.

[ludwigvan968]

nice story. By the way, in west Texas the speed limit is 80mph on much of IH10, so it is possible to do 80 legally. I am glad to hear your daughter is learning safe braking distances, cause that is the main thing I see people who drive bad doing.

[Aren Jay]

I still remember driving down my first hill. (curse of a good memory) I thought, it is a hill you have to put your brakes on. well you know.

[Motorhead350]

My dad grew to be fine with my driving too fast. After about a month (when I was 15 and 2 months old) he would ask me to drive while he slept on the way home.

[Hotrauder]

I am late to this Rich. Just wanted you and Jamie to khnow that I am not surprised. She is one special young person who is fortunate enough to have a great dad. My best to Jamie and to you and Leslie. Love you guys. Dennis

[Local Boy]

"The fruit does not fall far from the tree"...

You've done good, Brutha...

ALOHA

[jfclancy]

Just curious you mentioned she stopped the beast with no ABS ?
Have you somehow turned yours off or did she just pump the brakes?
just curious
Glad nobody or nothing was hurt damaged!

Joe Clancy:beer::beer:

[Rocknthehawk]

Just curious you mentioned she stopped the beast with no ABS ?
Have you somehow turned yours off or did she just pump the brakes?
just curious
Glad nobody or nothing was hurt damaged!

Joe Clancy:beer::beer:

I'm pretty sure he disabled it after putting the larger rims on...if i remember right.

[magindat]

Just curious you mentioned she stopped the beast with no ABS ?
Have you somehow turned yours off or did she just pump the brakes?
just curious
Glad nobody or nothing was hurt damaged!

Joe Clancy:beer::beer:


I'm pretty sure he disabled it after putting the larger rims on...if i remember right.

Ci, senior, had to. I think I like it better this way.

[magindat]

Hey, thanx for the nice replies. Jamie, will be more confident yet, for them.

[jimlam56]

Congrats to Miss Jamie; just went through it with 16 year old last son Jeff. He is unleashed on the world with a 97 CVPI that has a long history with members of this site. He loves it, and I dont have to drive him to work any more!'

[buttsandwhich]

What state are you all from where you can drive at 15? I'm 15 and I'm counting down every second till I can get my permit at 16.

[Blackmobile]

What state are you all from where you can drive at 15? I'm 15 and I'm counting down every second till I can get my permit at 16.

Down here in the HOT state of FLORIDA.

[wishfulthinkin]

Rich,
Jamie will remember this fondly in years to come. I remember the first time I drove, my
Dads big bad t-bird. We went out to 301 (1964) not alot of traffic, that was a BIG day
for me. I still can see him calmly sitting there in the passenger seat in HIS Baby, while
his baby girl punched up to 70mph. He stayed cool and gave me directions. I have alot of great memories of my Dad, that was one of them. Jackie

[Aren Jay]

Just a side note, everyone knows that in a big traffic jam up, particularly in bad visibility, smoke or fog etc... When you get stuck on the road and can't pull off into the ditch or median, get out of your car and off the road. Get out of the way of cars that will try to avoid a pile up. Wait till it is all over before going to help anyone.

[offroadkarter]

Down here in the HOT state of FLORIDA.


I envy any state that lets you get a license at 16 or younger, here is s#!tty Nj, permit comes at 16, which i just got mine last Wednesday. License on January 9th :shake:

Lemme hear a whoop whoop if you come from the state with the worst drivers in the country! (thats new jersey, fun fact of the day)

[Aren Jay]

learners license at 14 full license at 16.