We have just finished our first week of behind-the-wheel laboratory. Students have had their first exposure to actual driving since the class began, over one month ago. Students will see practical applications of methods presented in classroom portion now in the lab. Week one was an initial assessment of driving skill along with learning two driving skills. One, lane changing and the other covering their brakes at intersections. These are two very important skills for students to learn that could conceivably save one's life. Covering the brake is especially important since, sixty-seven percent of all accidents occur at intersection (two out of three) and twenty-five percent (one out of four) of all fatal accidents occur at intersections. This concept of covering the brake, began in recent driver education instruction (less than the past twenty years) emphasizes students as they approach the intersection, taking their foot off the accelerator and putting it over the brake, preparing to stop in case the stoplight changes and/or preparing for a particular hazard. This is not an easy lesson that is quickly learned for some students, but it is one with practice that any student can learn. This technique is heavily emphasized in driver education at Milan High School. Week two (December 14-18) in driver education will review lane changing, covering the brake, which will be expected in all labs. Students will also begin step 2 curves. Curves have been the culprit in almost all deaths of youth in West Tennessee and Milan the past two years. Many young people have not been taught how to manage curves and as a result their has been numerous accidents with youth trying to manipulate curves. Curves will be taught in three phases beginning with step 1 next week. Progressively they will increase skill with steps 2 and 3. Students must understand that accelerating into curves can cause accidents and most experts agree that one must coast into curves and as they come out, they can regain their speed. This course addresses this issue and as a result many students learn quickly how to handle curves currently. Week 3 (January 4-8, 2010)will cover step 2 curves, utilizing high speed curvy roads to illustrate the basic principles of successfully negotiating curves. Students will understand that they cannot break at every curve and that most curves can be managed by reducing speed as they approach the curve. Week 4 (January 11-15, 2010) students will work on car control with skills performed with cones (figure 8's)and turnabouts. Figure 8's will lead up to turnabouts, which are ways to turn your car aound. These are important skills that teach not only car control but speed control as well. One has to be able to control their car at low speeds as well as higher speeds. Turnabouts lead up to parallel parking, another car control skill that will be taught toward the end of the trimester.