My driving career
True life: I managed to reach 15km/h.
Some weeks ago I embarked on my much-anticipated driving career, much to the detriment of other road users. Having had my first driving lesson I soon discovered that driving is entirely different to riding a bicycle or operating a simulated vehicle on a playstation.
My first driving lesson was a simple manoeuvre around the block, well I wouldn’t say simple and it wasn’t much of a manoeuvre, I suppose it was more of a bunny hop and a rather painful stop as I vigorously jammed on the breaks. You’ll never learn if you don’t make mistakes, so I was just being practical by making them early!
The next week I had another lesson, which I embarked on with enthusiasm and confidence. The following lessons showed slight progression, I managed to reach 15km/h and I even progressed to second gear. The world of driving seemed to be unfolding before me, very slowly but surely.
Further lessons led me to try the art of reversing, something that I wasn’t particularly keen on trying. My reversing skills were greatly tested as I reversed into a parking space on an up-market Dublin road, coming within millimetres of a 2006 shining Mercedes. I suspect the owner was dementedly watching in terror from their five story house as they watched a teenage girl send their ‘pride and joy’ to near destruction.
You will be glad to hear that I would never let such a thing happen and I promptly stopped the car and reverted to first gear to make my get away before being pursued by the owner of the Mercedes.
I thought I was getting into the tough stuff with reversing, but I was wrong- try doing a hill start. A few weeks ago my driving instructor took this very brave step and instructed me to pull in and park on the side of a hill. However when one stops on a hill it is vital that the hand break is pulled up sharply to ensure the car remains on the hill, I learnt this the hard way after taking my foot off the foot break and feeling the car rolling gently down the hill, however with the expert skills of my driving instructor we were back on the road again and the hill start could begin. My small arm muscles didn’t prove strong enough for the hand break but nothing would stop me. Having mastered reversing, anything could be possible and after one failed attempt at a hill start and an aroma of burning rubber drifting in the window, I tried once more and I was away. Everything is possible!
Since then my driving has been steady and often motionless, never the less I feel I have made some progress by reaching 3rd gear, a milestone in my short, erratic driving career. I may not drive like Schumacher or boast any fancy driving skills but I can drive (well almost), I’m not there yet but I’m getting there!
By: Barbara Feeney
This article is part of the SpunOut.ie true life stories section – a space for young people to share their experiences of tough times and encourage others to seek help. This story is just one person's experience and it may be different for you. Remember that no matter what you are going through, there is help and support available. See the Find help section for more information: http://www.spunout.ie/help/
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