For the fifth time in six years, “moms” have been voted the “best driver I know” by local grade 3, 4 and 5 students. Students from both school boards are invited each year to submit letters to Sergeant O’Brien describing who they think are the best drivers and why. Although bus drivers, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents get a few votes, moms and dads usually top the list. Once again the moms received more accolades than anyone else when it came to safe and courteous driving. The young students commented that safe driving includes never drinking and driving, always wearing seatbelts and being courteous to other roadusers such as bicyclists and pedestrians. The likely culprit for keeping fathers in second place is “patience”. Dads seem to lose their cool quicker than mothers and yell and curse at other motorists.
The students also mentioned that the safest drivers were the ones that didn’t use their cell phones while driving and always obeyed the speed limit and red lights. It may be that moms do most of the “shuttling” of the kids to and from school and events and maybe the dads do the “long haul” (stressful driving events…. “are we there yet?”) driving with the family. Whatever the reason, the moms once again have left the best impression with the kids as to who the “best driver” is. Although certainly not scientific, the letters strongly indicate that these young impressionable future drivers are observant and will likely model their driving after someone they know. Sergeant O’Brien will meet with each class that sent him letters and discuss their observations, he then returns the letters to the students so that they can share them with their “driving heroes”. The obvious flip side of these messages is that these youngsters recognize poor driving skills, behaviours and attitudes as well so all drivers should realize the impact their actions have on those people you least expect to be watching. Drive cooperatively, Sgt. Tom O’BrienTraffic Management UnitLondon Police Service
