CAN STUDENT drivers drive safely? Lisa Morrow, president of Courtesy on the Road Inc., a nonprofit group that advocates that motorists of all ages drive more gently, thinks so. In support of this belief, the group is launching the Student Safe Driving Initiative/Parking Permit Programs at area high schools, beginning Aug. 17.
A key part of the program is the one-hour, safe-driving class that was developed in conjunction with the Howard County Police Department. Both the student who wants a parking permit for the high school and his or her parent must attend the class. After taking the class, both the parents and students sign promise cards and post campaign magnets on their vehicles that commit them to driving more courteously.
As representatives of Courtesy on the Road drive through the county and spot the magnet on the back of a car, the driver will be assessed for observing the posted speed limit, signaling and displaying other courteous driving behavior covered in the curriculum. The license plate number will be noted and students will receive prizes donated by local businesses -- including Orioles' tickets and merchandise.
"Our goal is to make new student drivers more aware of the importance of safe and courteous behavior on the road," Morrow said.
Representatives also will be scouting high school parking lots to note how many magnets are on students' cars. During the school year, the high school with the highest response will be given a party. As the campaign progresses, I will be reporting the numbers for the high schools in this column.
Morrow said she hopes to take the campaign nationwide eventually.
More about aggression
Bruce Whitney is one of many who responded to the aggressive-driver quiz, in which I asked a number of questions, including whether you get angry when other drivers do stupid things and whether you mutter obscenities under your breath (or say them out loud).
"Everyone would have to answer `Yes' to that, unless you're lobotomized or heavily sedated. And who doesn't [mutter obscenities]? That in and of itself doesn't make for an aggressive driver," he said. "It's only if you allow your anger/irritation to dictate your driving actions that you should worry."
But some survey results indicate that even these minor acts can escalate to serious road rage. Response Insurance Group of Companies sponsors a driving-habits survey, which, according to Mory Katz, the group's chairman and chief executive officer, is a scientific survey of drivers from around the country.
