For many new drivers, learning to drive can feel like a box to check: get the required lessons, pass the road test and get behind the wheel.
But one Slave Lake driving instructor says the focus should be on something more important — learning how to drive safely.
The issue recently came up in a Facebook post discussing driving habits and the importance of proper instruction, but according to local driving instructor Muise, the distinction between passing a test and becoming a safe driver is an important one.
“I’m focused on keeping people safe,” Muise said in a recent interview with The Leader.
Muise said parents and students should understand that simply passing the Alberta road test does not necessarily mean someone has developed all the skills needed to be a consistently safe driver.
He pointed to Alberta’s road-test scoring system as an example. According to Muise, a driver can accumulate multiple serious errors on the test and still pass.
“We don’t teach for Fs,” he said. “We teach for Bs and As.”
The point, Muise said, is that driver training should go beyond learning enough to satisfy an examiner.
That distinction can also matter when choosing how to take driving lessons. Some students choose individual hourly lessons, while others opt for a full driver-training course.
Muise said completing a full course can have an additional benefit because some insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete approved training programs. In those cases, students may have to meet a higher standard during their training.
“That’s actually better,” the interviewer noted, “because then that’s the insurance company saying, if we’re going to give you some kind of discount on your insurance, we need to make sure you’re actually a safe driver.”
Muise agreed, saying his focus is on developing safe driving habits rather than simply preparing someone to pass an examination.
He said his approach has even attracted people from outside the area who want additional training.
“We have people that come from out of province to train here,” Muise said.
Choosing the right lessons
For people considering driving lessons, the first question should be what they actually want to get out of the training.
Hourly lessons can provide targeted instruction for someone who already has some experience behind the wheel, while a full course can provide a more comprehensive program for a new driver.
A full course may also be worth considering for students who are interested in potentially qualifying for an insurance discount, depending on their insurer and the course they take.
But regardless of which option a student chooses, Muise said the goal should remain the same: developing good habits that continue after the road test.
That can be particularly important when young drivers learn primarily from family members.
Parents may have years of driving experience, but they can also pass along habits without realizing it. Muise’s advice is to make sure new drivers are exposed to deliberate instruction rather than simply picking up whatever habits they see from other drivers.
The increasing amount of traffic on Slave Lake’s roads makes those habits increasingly important, he said.
A reminder for drivers as school returns
With school now back in session, drivers are also sharing the roads with more students, school buses, parents and pedestrians during the morning and afternoon rushes.
Drivers should be particularly attentive around school zones and areas where children are walking or cycling to and from school.
The importance of slowing down and paying attention goes beyond simply avoiding a ticket, however.
It is about recognizing that roads around schools can have a much higher concentration of pedestrians and inexperienced road users.
For new drivers in particular, Muise’s message is straightforward: passing the road test is only the beginning.
William Hetherington
Lakeside Leader
