Driver’s Education: An OH learning opportunity for students

Driver’s Education is no new class, but driving is essential to know nowadays as everyday tasks deem cars as the most reliable form of transport. Although some students take driver’s training through external sources, OH offers a comprehensive driver’s education program.

“The main goal is to teach [students] how to drive safely, be a defensive driver, be aware of [their] surroundings, and get [students] to understand that driving, while it gives a lot of freedom, also puts you at risk,” said OH Driver’s Education teacher Brian Cronin.

After 24 years of teaching the course, Cronin has mastered the role of making sure students are learning about safe and responsible driving in the classroom. 

“It’s probably the most important class that people need to take, and that’s why it’s offered in public schools because we want to make sure that you’re learning to take it and to drive correctly,” said Cronin.

Michael Machetta is a driving instructor that does behind-the-wheel driving with students on the road. He is taking on the role of guiding students to apply their knowledge and skills as best as possible with experience in a Driver’s Ed designated vehicle.

“I started doing Driver’s Ed in about 2015 at Newark High School. That was my first teaching job [[…]] in 2020 is when I started here, fall 2020,” stated Machetta.

David Nielsen is another driving instructor at OH, also committing to the behind-the-wheel portion of the course. Nielsen recalled he has “at least 15 years [of experience], started at a private driving school, [and has] been at OHS [or the] fifth year.”

OH junior Callie Cava commented and elaborated on her experience with the Driver’s Education program in the school. Upon questioning what the experience was like for her, Cava confirmed she enjoyed the course. 

“I think I learned a lot [[…]] by driving and observing, but I also learned a lot through the notes and stuff that I was learning in class,” Cava recalled.

When it comes to the length of the Driver’s Education course, Cronin believes the time for having students behind the wheel is rather limited.

“When I first began [[…]] we had 90-minute periods, which was nice for the behind the wheel section, because [[…]] you could get out and do some expressway stuff and really get [students] the experiences that they need,” said Cronin.” the challenge is getting them all the experiences that they need to get right now [[…]] We’re trying to make it work as best we can so get those experiences that they need to be successful out on the road,”.

When it comes to the duration of the full course, though, it is perceived as a more timely approach to teaching students.

“ two and a half or three and a half weeks, done. Classes, two hours, that’s it. So don’t have the time to teach classroom stuff that at the school [[… which is]] way better than what did at the private driving school,” said Nielsen.

Cava also found the time duration of Driver’s Education to be helpful in her learning progress, comparing it to her brother’s experience in a privately taught course.

“The stuff my brother was taught was more ‘okay well this is how you drive a car,’ but at [OH] I was taught more [[…]] in depth than what the private [school] was being taught,” said Cava.

The age requirement of Driver’s Education is also a commonly recognized factor when students select this class for course selections for next year around the end of first semester.

“Normally [[…students]] are usually taking it because they’re 15, turning 16 at the end of the year, which is when [[…]] most kids will want to take it,” said Cronin.

The maturity level of students is also a factor to consider when taking Driver’s Education. 

“It just comes down to whether or not they’re ready to take it at that age [[…]] being able to handle those responsibilities, because once you’re out there on the road, if something happens, you’re going to be held responsible for it,” Cronin said. 

Some may view the class as unimportant to take into consideration during course selections, but it is a part of the convenience of remaining in school that also benefits students. 

“[Being] able to have it as part of your school day, versus having to go outside on a weekend, or after school to a different facility to take a class. I think it’s going to be a lot more convenient for a student, typically,” said Machetta.

Cava pointed out how delaying the course can affect the experience of taking Driver’s Ed.

“Around [second semester freshman year or sophomore year] would be much better for [students…] if you push it off too much [[…]] you’re gonna go into with a more negative effect,” said Cava.

Behind the wheel of Driver’s Education is crucial, and real world application matters to teach students proper procedures and how to improve.

Cronin gave insight as to the minor experience a student is required to get, emphasizing how the required “50 hours is two days of experience, two days plus two hours, that by no means makes you an expert driver.”

Machetta and Nielsen also shared views of recommending more driving experience for students, as per their experience at a DMV.

“You can absolutely tell when teenagers show up to take their road test; If they are only at 50 hours, you can tell. The ones that show up with a couple 100 hours, you can tell,” said Nielsen.

The way students are taught to drive is meant to give them a good opportunity to use their learned skills and apply them properly. Cronin regards the importance of following instructions in class as part of becoming a good driver.

“Responsibility doesn’t just start with driving a car [[…]] doing the things that are just expected of them in class, that’s going to transfer out into the car too,” said Cronin.

Machetta and Nielsen value the idea of teaching driving by correcting mistakes students make, having them acknowledge what they do wrong and explaining how they could improve on said mistake.

“That’s the number one priority [[…]] instructing the students on what they’re supposed to do according to the rules and preparing them for ultimately to pass a road test,” said Nielsen and Machetta together.

For the riskier mistakes that could cause harm or damage, the driving instructors have their measures to assure the safety of their students.

“If it’s going to be unsafe [for a student to make a maneuver,] you slam the brake on [the student driving] and steer for them if you need to,” Nielsen commented.

As for how long students should take to get their license after they become eligible to, Cava took extra time after she was able to get a license to gain more experience driving.

“Having my permit for almost 11 months basically helped me get more comfortable in my car [[…]] I’ve been driving and I think I’ve experienced a lot of situations […] when I got my license I was really prepared to just be by myself,” said Cava.