Editor:
Getting a driver's licence has become much more difficult in recent years, a long and costly process for young people and their parents.
These welcomed changes were inspired by the rate of teenage accidents. For these changes to be really effective, though, the driving adults have to lead by example and show respect for the rules.
Unless this happens, the whole exercise is pretty futile.
On the blustery morning of Oct. 2, my teenager chose wisely to stop on Harvest Drive in Ladner as we were heading east. The recycling truck operated by only one worker was stopped in such a way we could not see ahead and our lane had a straight yellow line urging us to caution. A grey truck behind us used its horn to entice us to go blindly ahead, which we resisted.
We then entered a construction zone near a park and my teen chose to slow down. Again the driver of the grey truck honked.
The honking continued erratically and, as we prepared to turn right, we saw just in time the truck driver starting to pass us on the right, in an unmarked lane, before a crosswalk and the bus depot entrance, where the street finally straightens after an "S" curve.
Obviously the truck driver does not understand the significance of the red "L" sign on my Honda's trunk.
It means learning driver and, as such, the more experienced people out there should try to exert caution and abide to the rules themselves when following a student.
Was the truck driver an excitable, testosterone spiked, irresponsible young man? No, but rather a well-seasoned female that should have known better and cared more about our lives than whatever appointment she was trying to keep.
For the roads to be safer, adult drivers should give our youth some space and credit for trying to do well.
D. Marcotte
