The Reese Maneuver

Proposed state funding cuts threaten art, music, phys. ed. and (shudder!) even Driver's Ed. in Pennsylvania high schools. Frankly, I don't remember a bit of the art or music instruction I received back in the day. One look at my current physique will reveal that phys. ed. instruction didn't exactly sink in, either. Driver's Ed. is a different matter.

I fondly recall Mr Reese cursing the Driver's Ed car cigarette lighter, grasping the steering wheel between his knees, pulling a Lucky Strike out of his pack, retrieving his trusty Zippo, and lighting up all while motoring down Mulberry Street at the 25 mph speed limit. Mr Reese warned, "You guys do this and I'll flunk you!"

Naturally, the Reese Maneuver became the Holy Grail for us neophyte drivers. It took practice. You really had to get it down pat in a parked car. Knees to steering wheel. Get good solid contact. Remove hands. Retrieve cigarette. Place in mouth keeping your eyes on the road. Find lighter. Don't look down! Light it. Many a pubescent beard was singed at this point. Take a drag. Return hands to steering wheel.

The Reese Maneuver was much more difficult in a moving vehicle what with uneven road surfaces and opposing traffic. The highest degree of difficulty was awarded for using book matches with an open window at highway speeds. Legend has it that someone from the Class of '61 accomplished this feat, but some people believe in the Loch Ness Monster, too.

The point is that we could successfully complete the Reese Maneuver because we had seen it accomplished by its master. It takes real, live instructor-led Driver's Ed to capture all the nuances of successful motoring.

What happens when we abandon Driver's Ed.? Last week, a newspaper report stated, "A Berks County woman crashed into a utility pole as she lit a cigarette and tried to steer her car with her knees...She suffered minor injuries from her seat belt and air bag deployment."

She was doing the Reese Maneuver, but without observing it done by the master in a Driver's Ed environment. She had no chance.

Save our utility poles! Restore Driver's Ed.!