Today's driving skills go far beyond parking

Let's try a change of pace.

For weeks now, I have voiced growing concerns over the Obama administration's left-leaning path. And with such a target-rich environment, it's just too easy to worry about the direction of this great nation.

But for this week at least, my limited focus will wonder about much smaller issues. I need the break and you probably do as well.

So let's talk parallel parking!

While walking the dog recently, I watched with some amusement as teen drivers enjoyed the rite of passage and took their Missouri driver's license exams. You could see the sweat and pressure in every vehicle.

Of course, it came in equal measure for both instructors and would-be licensed drivers alike. As I watched, it became painfully obvious that it was the parallel parking portion of the exam that brought fear to the eyes of those young motorists.

So. just out of curiosity, I wonder why we still mandate parallel parking as part of the Missouri driving exam? Parallel parking is really a throwback to yesteryear. It's rare anymore that any of us actually parallel park. Granted, many of our downtowns still have parallel parking. But by and large, it's just not an issue.

If we want to truly test the driving skills of teenage drivers, we should update our exams. Practical skills are essential, and without those skills young drivers get in trouble.

So the driving examiners should have teens drive to the interstate, turn the radio volume up loud, make a cell-phone call and drive alongside large trucks.

And I'm being honest.

If we want to test their skills, then put these new drivers in situations that they will more likely face. Parallel parking is not high on that agenda.

All parents worry endlessly when their teens reach driving age. But parents don't worry that their kids will be involved in some tragic parallel-parking mishap. We worry about heavy traffic, driving distractions, miserable weather conditions and a whole array of other concerns.

If you're like me -- and some of you surely are -- I will avoid parallel parking if at all possible. I am no master of the skill, but I can wiggle into a space if there are no other options. As part of the extensive research for today's column, I drove downtown this week and attempted to parallel park. It wasn't pretty, but it was successful.

But why don't we at least consider modifying the driving test to reflect current-day concerns and skills? With increased speeds, traffic and distractions, it's high time we change the driving test to accurately gauge the skills of new drivers.

Parallel parking is a throwback to a different day. I doubt seriously if those skills will need to resurface in tomorrow's world.