Wallens' Column: Sold.

Wanted to drop a thank you for the nice column to DSW. You sold me on Street Survival (or whatever it is by the time my children are driving age) with your great column. I was fortunate enough to get a demo of the Evasive Driving Course at FLETC in Charleston SC during a visit for some business work. The wet skidpad, threshold braking, ice demos, Rockfords, etc. gave me more confidence than anything I've done in the last 20 years driving. Cool stuff, and I'm glad that something similar is available for new drivers.

I have instructed for Street Survival a number of times in the Philly area. It really is a great program. The Del Val BMW CCA was so successful with the kids they held one for their parents this past year due to popular request.

I keep trying to talk my wife into attending one. They look like fun.

Volunteered at my first street survival last fall.

If you have the opportunity, do it-- not only was it fun, it was great to see all the smiles on the kids faces at the end of the day!

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I have instructed for Street Survival a number of times in the Philly area.

Umm, so have I. Were you in Allentown this spring?

Thanks. Thanks a lot. That was my second time instructing, and they know that I'm always available.

By the way, my student really was that great. She just approached that day (and driving in general) with the right attitude.

I enjoyed that editorial. Well done and good for both of you.

I began instructing with this group: Doug Herbert's BRAKES It has been amazing. Going to a planning meeting for the next one today, in fact. This may be the most fun and rewarding thing I've done in life so far. The kids are like sponges and just soak up everything. Timid little girls become Hollywood stunt drivers by the time they are done with me. I teach skid recovery:

We are always looking for more help. The course we teach isn't wimpy; we thrash on the cars and ruin tires and brakes. The kids think it will be boring but leave in awe and telling all their friends. If you have the ability to communicate a little and can control a car at 40 mph we can use you.

David S. Wallens wrote: Thanks. Thanks a lot. That was my second time instructing, and they know that I'm always available. By the way, my student really was that great. She just approached that day (and driving in general) with the right attitude.

what's even more fun is having a student that ( via attitude ) clearly has no desire to be there, and is there only 'cause their parents are forcing the issue .... and by the end of the day the sideways flat brimmed hat and the pouting expression are both gone ... grinning from ear to ear and actually listening to an adult ( maybe for the first time in yrs ) and showing that they really do enjoy improving/learning something about driving ... that really is a great feeling

By the way, my student thought that this message board thread is pretty cool, too. (Hi, Natalie.)

wbjones wrote: what's even more fun is having a student that ( via attitude ) clearly has no desire to be there, and is there only 'cause their parents are forcing the issue .... and by the end of the day the sideways flat brimmed hat and the pouting expression are both gone ... grinning from ear to ear and actually listening to an adult ( maybe for the first time in yrs ) and showing that they really do enjoy improving/learning something about driving ... that really is a great feeling

Yeah, I had one of those. She was really pissed to be missing some teen-activity-with-friends-she-won't-remember-a-week-from-now. Since I dish out large scoops of sarcasm with my teaching anyway, I turned up the delivery. She played. We badgered back and forth while I turned her into an e-brake recovering genius. Left the car smiling instead of pouting. I'll bet the 4hr drive home with her Dad wasn't nearly as painful for him as the trip down.

I like a challenge. Bring it, kids!