REFLECTIONS

You know you are advancing in years (not getting old, mind you), when your grandchildren begin to drive a motor vehicle.
My youngest grandchild, Ryan, just started to drive. Just that fact will make you older. Ryan is 18 and he started driving, first under the tutelage of his mother, Nancy.
Some other driving instructors have stepped forward: Ryan's dad Troy, Ryan's sister Kaley and Ryan's step grandfather, Papa Tom.
I can remember my early driving days when I grew up on a small dairy farm, just seven miles southwest of Blooming Prairie in Newry Township. The opportunities were there to drive farm machinery but the largest nearby town was Austin and that seemed miles away.
My first mistake was not taking driver's training. I then decided I could pass my driving test with just help from my father. That was another mistake because how many of you, as teenagers, want to listen to one of your elders.
"I don't think you will ever learn how to drive," Dad said.
Dad was vastly experienced in driving a car, a gravel truck, a D4 Caterpillar and any other piece of farm machinery he chose to drive.
Dad consented and let me take our family car, a red, 1959 Buick (with fins) to the Motor Vehicle Division.
I was done before I got out of the gate. As I turned from a two-way street onto a one-way street with two lanes, I improperly took the far lane rather than the near lane. That's a NO-NO.
My first driving excursion proved to be a disaster as I forced my instructor to apply the brake (under his control) a few times. Too many times, I admit.
After hearing my driving instructor tell me I had better practice some more, I decided to take a Driver's Training class offered through the Austin Public School system.
I passed this time but I shouldn't have. As I backed out of a school parking place, I bumped into a tall lamp post behind my car.
My instructor didn't want to see me again and gave me a 95, a passing score. Whew!
All beginning drivers should start with confidence. My brother-in-law Darrell Hansen drove a farm truck from his farm near Clarks Grove into Clarks Grove. He was only 5 at the time. Another whew!
Another brother-in-law often drove in excess of 100 miles per hour. He now drives at moderate speeds. Curt is a retired Minnesota State Trooper.
Brother-in-law Craig drives semi-truck for a living and applies his driving techniques like a science.
Ryan, listen to your older sister Kaley when it comes to driving safely. She is a confident driver, but most importantly, she drives safely.
Use your computer to travel to many websites that encourage good during safety habits.
Here's a small list to begin safe driving routines:
            10) Don't drive drunk
             9) Don't speed
             8) Avoid distractions
             7) Don't drive drowsy
             6) Wear your seat belt
             5) Be extra careful in bad weather
             4) Don't follow too closely
             3) Watch out for the other guy
             2) Practice defensive driving
             1) Keep your vehicle safe