I don't think Jeff was saying everyone should learn to drive a stick as
their first vehicle. Only that everyone should at some time learn to drive
one. I don't think you'll find many people who will disagree with that.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Loren Busch
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:48 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: teenagers and vanagons

RE:
On 10/11/06, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have always been of the thought that everyone should learn to drive in a
> stick shift.

I (and virtually every driving instructor or safety officer I've ever talked
to on the subject) disagree.  Learning to be a safe driver, both vehicle
operation plus all the other things a new driver must learn to do to be
safe, is complicated enough.  Don't push the stress for the student with
learning the fine muscle control of the clutch/gas combination at the same
time.  For a competent driver learning to use the clutch and gear shift is a
simple 20 minute lesson and a half an hour of driving.  But it just
complicates things (and in some cases discourages) a new driver.  It is hard
enough to teach a new driver the all important 'situational awareness' that
is so important to safe driving, don't complicate it any more than needed.