Transport Thoughts

I was considering taking a driving lessons course. I knew they were really expensive, but I had failed my driving practice test three times, so I thought it might be worthwhile. I saw my friends motoring about, and none of them had had any problems with their driving practice test, so I wondered what was wrong with me. I just tensed up so much during the test, that I invariably did something wrong and failed. So I thought a driving lessons course would help me gain confidence.

I checked online, and found a reasonably priced one within walking distance of my flat (which was a bonus, given that I was hardly going to be motoring over there without passing my test). On the day of my first lesson, I arrived early to meet my instructor. I was expecting a middle-aged man, but instead, my instructor was a prim, gray-haired lady dressed in a very sensible suit. She seemed very warm and friendly, so I felt at ease at once. We chatted for a while, and then we set off on our driving lesson.

Things went very well at first. She guided me through starting the automobile, and explained the use of all the controls. I didn't really need the help, but I listened attentively anyway. Then we set off on our first motoring expedition. I was excited and resolved to do everything right.

I drove along without incident, my instructor telling me to slow down, turn here, pull over there. Everything was going fine, until I was driving fairly slowly down a residential street. Suddenly my instructor stiffened and pointed ahead of her, gasping out something I couldn't understand. I slammed on the brakes at once. I couldn't see anything in front of me, but I heard the squeal of tires behind me, so I was more than a little nervous that I had either hit something, or I had missed a stop signal somewhere. I glanced over at my instructor; she was pale as a ghost, and gasping for breath.

"What did I do, what did I do?" I stuttered helplessly. Then suddenly I understood the two words she was repeating.

"Heart attack..." she stammered, nearly choking.

Well, luckily we got her to the hospital in time, and she was just fine. And after that one lesson, I felt I had had enough of driving lessons. I passed my driving practice test on the very next try.

That's one way to get over being nervous when you drive!