Bumper Cars: The Beginning of Driver Ed.

Visits to the Toronto National Exhibition each summer brought out the exciting spirit of adventure for our three boys. New things and new experiences awaited them there. But the most anticipated event was their foray into driver education, their first lesson 'behind the wheel' in the ride called, bumper cars!

Each of our visits to the EX were for different reasons. The first visit was to scout the grounds to see what was new, in rides, products and food. The last visit was to shop for products seen over previous visits and hopefully buy at a reduced price. The second visit, however, was most important. It was a day meant for our sons, to honour them and their burgeoning independence. It was a day of rides! Anything was possible. Children grow up so quickly and in that short period of time they needed to experience the 'thrill' of decision making. It would be their day of choice from beginning to end, a taste of independence. Bumper cars would be #1 on the hit parade for them. It was hands-on escapism at its best. 

Growing up, Momsey was rarely in a car. My parents did not drive, though there was no need to, with public transportation available in Toronto. Having a picnic in High Park, a well-known Toronto landmark, was made possible because of street cars. Being in a car for the occasional trip out of the city was a rare special treat for us. I received my driver's license when I was 24, in time for the beginning of my teaching career. It was a necessity as public transportation was unavailable where I would be teaching, north of the biggest city in Canada. Though I learned to drive, I succeeded simply because I had to. Driving was a modern day necessity. I had an abysmal sense of direction then. Still do. Our children would fare better than I did and gain the necessary skills, insights, confidence and experience for their turn at the steering wheel of the future. Bumper cars would start it all.

Preliminary driver education would begin years before the official time on our sons' respective calendars. It was important that our boys learn to respect the automobile. Bumper cars would begin the process. ... Experiencing the awesome power 'behind the wheel' would, hopefully, imprint on their minds, the critical importance of driving rules, laws and leave an indelible mark that would last a lifetime. As little boys, our children listened. They valued and understood the wisdom mom and dad imparted. This window of opportunity for us would not last long, though. As time passed, this family manifesto could change, altered by unknown outside forces distracting and influencing our sons in dramatic and unimaginable ways. At least, for now, all eyes were on us - first!

Driving a car was serious business, never to be taken lightly. Enter bumper cars. At the Canadian National Exhibition being securely fastened inside the compartment of a ride was the only requirement for its enjoyment. With bumper cars, the experience was totally different. The child was in charge. These cars-in-miniature made an impact on our boys, like no other ride. It was real life driving experience for children while under close supervision.. (Height requirements needed to be met, however.) With bumper cars, simply sitting there would not make it work. The child was its master. Continual effort was required for the ride's success. A respect for the privilege of driving and speed limits began with these primitive little cars. The excitement was evident as soon as each boy entered his particular vehicle. They had entered a world of make-believe where they were in charge, that what they did inside this movable cubicle, on wheels, mattered for any successful driving outcome.

Steering among other bumper cars, while being 'patrolled' by an adult 'officer', our boys began their driving lesson. One son drove with such an intensity that it seemed he was already on a major congested highway skillfully avoiding collision after collision while another son never seemed to move beyond the 'parking lot', stuck in perpetual gridlock, with other bumper car devotees around him. The differences were startling among all drivers of the ride. Another son drove without a worry as though he was in a magical place and never wanted to leave. Time passed quickly. Getting in line again, if lineups were short, allowed more time for the boys to hone their driving skill until next time or next year. The choice to continue or stop was theirs for the making. They were slowly becoming adults and decisions needed to be made. Bumper cars was an important 'fun' first step towards our boys' driving independence. It was a look into their futures. One day, the lure of driving the real thing would arrive. The boys needed to be ready with a deep-seated respect for everything that the driving skill demanded, in the modern age of highways, toll roads and the GPS. The car was also a dangerous weapon, they were reminded. Driving was a privilege. And bumper cars had helped make it happen.

By the time our boys were 16 years of age, they were already 'seasoned' clients of the best in the business of driver education, Young Drivers of Canada. It was then, as it is today, a recognized industry leader in driver Ed. Our discounted insurance rate reflected the industry's confidence in Young Drivers'  ongoing rigorous standards for both clients and instructors alike. The cost of enrolling our boys with the best was such an easy decision for us. It was an insurance policy on human life, plain and simple.