Learning
to Drive
Brenda Kay
Ledford
I took Driver’s Education in 1968 at
Hayesville High School. My palms
perspired and my heart thumped when I got into the driver’s seat. Mr. Cunningham was the teacher and gave instructions.
“Push in the clutch, shift from
neutral into first gear, ease out the clutch, and slowly accelerate,” he said.
I let out the clutch too quickly and
the vehicle bucked like a bronco. I
almost threw Mr. Cunningham through the windshield. No wonder he turned white-headed so young.
The day arrived to tackle the mountain
roads. I was the first student to drive
up Tusquittee. I took a hairpin curve
too fast and squealed the tires. “Brake
before entering the curve,” said Mr. Cunningham.
When we got to Fires Creek Road, he
told me to make a U-turn. “You’ll have
to cut real deep,” he said. I had never
done this maneuver before and plunged into a ditch. The students in the backseat screamed and Mr.
Cunningham’s face turned pale as a ghost.
A farmer happened by with his
tractor. He hooked a chain to the car
and pulled it out. Passersby gawked and
laughed. I wanted to run and hide in the
pine thicket.
Mr. Cunningham told me to drive back
to school. I trembled like a leaf and
drove as a snail. Word spread that I
wrecked the new driver’s ed car
Finally, Mr. Cunningham had my
back. “It wasn’t Brenda’s fault. The sun blinded her.”
10 comments:
That is funny, Brenda. I did fine in my actually drivers training - it was when I went down to the DMV for the driver's test. It was hailing and stormy, and I ran a red light! The worst thing is I hadn't realized it. So afterwards, I asked him how I did, and he told me I had run a red light, and I was so embarrassed. Of course, he didn't pass me. The whole ordeal traumatized me a bit, so it took me a year to retake the test. I made sure to check the weather before I did.
He was a good guy! I took Drivers Training not too long after you - in 1976. I think they do it a lot differently now.
Cute story - I guess we all remember when we learn to drive - you had a special time to remember.
Oh gosh! It takes a very brave person to be a drivers ed teacher! When I took drivers ed we learned on a course and I didn't drive on the actual street until I got my permit and my parents took me!
Oh this was such a good tale. Made me remember my own driver's training class...think I pretty much had the same trouble as you did. Your words brought a smile. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day.
Mr Cunningham was a sweet and caring man to defend you. A great story!!
What a great driving instructor Mr. Cunningham was, Brenda. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
What a kind teacher! Daddy would not let me take drivers ed. I have no idea why. But he taught me himself. In a straight shift on the up and down hills of downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The stop light was at the top of a very steep hill. It was truly terrifying.
I enjoyed reading your story, Brenda. I am 69 and have never driven a vehicle. I use public transit and I am very grateful that it is very good here in Montreal.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
That’s such a classic “first time behind the wheel” story, where everything that can go wrong pretty much does, and yet it still comes out funny in hindsight. The way the teacher stays calm while the situation gets more and more chaotic really carries it, especially that moment with the ditch and the tractor showing up like something out of a small-town memory. And the ending with him quietly taking the blame in a gentle way gives it a warm, human finish.
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