The driving course mandated by the state of Hawaii for persons under the age of eighteen consists of two parts, one of which is a classroom course of thirty hours of instruction. This nine unit course covers all aspects of driving, beginning with the most basic concepts such as the nature of the driving task, risk reduction, and becoming familiar with the Hawaii Driver Manual. The course continues through vehicle familiarization (instruments and controls), basic maneuvers, and the IPDE process (Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute). Safety is stressed continually—occupant safety, safe following distance, safe speeds, other highway users, etc. Night driving, driving in adverse conditions, and vehicle readiness are also covered. A significant time is spent on personal factors influencing driver performance, including fatigue, distractions, road rage, medications and other drugs and especially our number one problem—alcohol consumption and driving. The course concludes with a look at buying and owning a vehicle, vehicle maintenance, and (time permitting) route planning. The course is approached with the idea that students will not spend their driving lives just on Kauai or even just in Hawaii, with an entire lesson devoted to driving on freeways and high speed highways. Many more driving situations and environments, too numerous to mention here, also are covered in this comprehensive course.
The curriculum used is published by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) and is approved by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) for use by certified driving schools. Classroom resources include, but are not limited to, videos, models, and overhead projections. These resources have been acquired from various agencies and institutions such as AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety, the Washington State Traffic and Safety Association, and the American Automobile Association. Scott Foresman publishes the text and much of the activity material with their “Drive Right” Tenth Edition (2000). Overhead projections are drawn directly from the ADTSEA curriculum as well as the “Drive Right” publishers and the Washington State Traffic Safety Education Curriculum Resource Guide. These resources serve to stimulate lively discussion, classroom participation and hands-on activities. We generally have a bit of fun while absorbing much valuable information.
The other part of the driving instruction is, not surprisingly, behind the wheel training with a minimum of six hours spent learning everything, beginning with vehicle approach and entry. Basic maneuvers, lane position, turning at intersections, lane changing, parking, turning around, and simulated freeway entries and exits are all covered. Emphasis is placed on signaling, head checks (when changing lanes), FULL stops at STOP signs and red lights.
At this point I should emphasize that six hours is not enough time to teach someone to drive, but it is enough time (usually) to teach the skills which must be practiced outside of class with a licensed adult driver. In fact, part of the driver training package requires a substantial amount of time spent practicing with a licensed adult driver. The exact time requirement is for fifty hours of practice drive time (with ten of these to be completed at night) to be certified by the responsible adult (parent, guardian, etc.).
Bill Scamahorn
808 635 5050
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