Think you’re a safe driver? Put your skills to the test at the MVA [Cumberland Times-News, Md.]

<p><chron>Oct. 05</chron>--This year, the <org>Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration</org> is daring all drivers to consider improving their driving skills through the 2011 Maryland Driver Challenge, a capstone of a multi-year overhaul of the state's driver licensing process.</p><p>For teens or new drivers, obtaining a license requires hours of instruction, both in the classroom and out on the road. For drivers who have already gone through the ropes, basic traffic laws are often overlooked. As a result, even the best drivers can develop poor driving habits.</p><p>To highlight the need to improve these habits, the MVA invited members of the media to participate in a driver skills test.</p><p>I accepted the challenge, only after considerable assurance that the outcome of the test could in no way influence the status of my own driver's license.</p><p>I arrived at the LaVale MVA on Wednesday with sweaty hands and a palpitating heart, ready to take the test.</p><p>I was greeted by <person>Buel Young</person>, MVA spokesperson; <person>Michael Krampf</person>, LaVale MVA manager and supervisor <person>Tom Hartman</person>, who would be administering the test.</p><p>While these three were friendly and informative, I found it difficult to concentrate, fearing I would fail the test and be forced to come clean to my teenage daughter, not to mention the general public.</p><p>"Almost half of all people fail the knowledge test. You have to read the manual, the answers are in there," Buel explained. Luckily, I had visited the MVA's website the night before and done just that.</p><p>Following the successful completion of a vision screening and a knowledge test, I then scheduled an appointment to complete a driver's skill test, which included driving on a closed course.</p><p>Hartman walked me through the process, treating me just as he would a new prospective driver.</p><p>The first part of the test involved a pre-trip inspection. Hartman asked me to present registration and insurance documents, as well as a license or permit. After a visual inspection of the vehicle, I was asked various typically humdrum tasks, such as to turn on my headlights.</p><p>"It is important that drivers know their vehicles," Hartman explained.</p><p>On the closed course, Hartman lead me through a series of maneuvers, including parallel parking and a two-point turn, in order to assess my basic driving skills. Points were given for every error made on the course. Drivers can accumulate up to eight points in this portion of the test. I had less than that.</p><p>After completeing the parallel parking with moderate success, I advanced to the two-point turn with growing confidence. Big mistake.</p><p>Backing into what appeared to to be an impossibly small spot, while dodging seven cones is intimidating, especially with an audience, both real and imagined.</p><p>After a second attempt to straighten out the vehicle, Hartman instructed me to continue. Both parking practices are timed, adding to the pressure. Bolstered by my success, I failed to look to my left when pulling out. Thankfully Hartman did not inform me that I had already accumulated two points and we advanced to the in-traffic portion without incident.</p><p>During the in-traffic portion, I found myself relaxing. Also a mistake. I failed to adequately look around me and be aware of traffic in the lanes on my sides and to the rear as I drove through several intersections. Drivers can accumulate up to 20 points before failing during the in-traffic portion of the test.</p><p>Hartman said the in-traffic driving test allows examiners to better evaluate a driver's skills and see how she reacts in a real-life situation. Examiners also ask drivers to explain traffic patterns and signage along the route.</p><p>After completing the 15-minute route, we returned to the MVA and Hartman provided me with a review of my test and the results.</p><p>I did manage to pass, accumulating less than five points. However, I was stunned by the obvious errors I had made. Had I not gone through this process last year with my own teen driver, I'm certain I would have failed.</p><p>Preparing young drivers is an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with new laws and recognize that we all become lax in our driving habits and at times have acquired sloppy and possibly dangerous habits.</p><p>"We hope that the 2011 Maryland Driver Challenge will remind all drivers that they must be alert and cognizant or their surroundings and prepared for anything. Just because you have a driver's license doesn't make you an expert driver. Driving is a lifelong learning experience," Buel said.</p><p>To test your driving knowledge, visit <a href="http://www.mva.maryland.gov">www.mva.maryland.gov</a>.</p><p>Contact <person>Angie Brant</person> at abrant @times-news.com.</p><p class="shirttail">___</p><p class="shirttail">(c)2011 the Cumberland Times News (Cumberland, Md.)</p><p class="shirttail">Visit the Cumberland Times News (Cumberland, Md.) at times-news.com</p><p class="shirttail">Distributed by MCT Information Services</p>