http://www.theriverbanknews.com en-us Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:17:54 GMT Daily feed of articles http://www.theriverbanknews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=19&ArticleID=37213 Time just has a way of sneaking up on you. Those of you that have reached a certain age plateau - and you know who you are - can probably attest to the fact that once a certain age comes that ends in a '0' time seems to move a little faster. Perhaps the thing that made this most abundantly clear was the recent class I took with my daughter. We were required to attend a 'Start Smart' course hosted by the California Highway Patrol before she could start her (yes, I have just gasped here) driver's education class at school. The roughly two-hour CHP course was packed with information, a good introduction to the driving world and full of statistics that are very scary. True, but scary. Such as the fact that distracted driving has taken over as the leading cause of death among drivers, especially those in the 16- to 21-year-old range, more than any other cause. And the distractions are many, from talking and texting on cell phones to putting on make-up to trying to eat a burger and fries while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. My daughter, who incredibly turns 16 this month, has been hounding me for about two years about wanting to drive. Of course, when I went to school back in the dark ages there was a full-blown semester-long course, with instruction in the classroom and then a driving portion with a teacher, getting your practice in at school before having to take your test. (And sparing your parents the scary thought of driving with you to teach you the ins and outs of the road.) Now you can do the 'classroom' portion on line if you want, or take a class, and then pay for driving lessons and do a little extra practice. She still has a long way to go before she gets into the driver's seat and, after hearing the statistics and viewing some rather grisly footage of what can happen when you are a) distracted and drive; b) intoxicated and drive; c) don't buckle up and drive; and d) ride with an idiot that takes stupid risks; she isn't sure she wants to drive. That will change; but I hope the information we received in the class stays with her. And you also have to be defensive on the highway. Not in a road rage way, just in making sure you watch out because the other guy might not be paying as much attention as they should be. Opinion Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT