A poster on the wall above the café commons boldly proclaims: “NEED TO FILL A FREE PERIOD? JOIN THE NEW ‘DRIVE LIKE A UNC STUDENT’ CLASS. WE WILL HAVE GREAT FUN.”
Jansen Smothers, the teacher of the class, said that enrollment has been higher than expected.
“We have close to 30 kids in the class and 20 more waitlisted who want to learn how to drive like a UNC student,” Smothers said. “I’m really excited for this year.”
The course is broken into five units that cover topics such as “Basics of red light running,” “Speeding: Go even faster,” and “Not stopping at crosswalks when there are obviously people there.”
Students say already that they are learning a lot in the class.
“I just got my license, and without this class, I would never be able to get into UNC,” sophomore Nate Jackson said. “Being able to drive like a college student definitely helps prepare me for the college experience.”
Jackson says that he has driven much worse since taking this class.
For example, stopping at crosswalks when there’s a person halfway across the road is something he no longer does. He gives Smothers credit for helping him learn this.
Senior Anne Murchison said that she already has started applying the techniques she learned in the class to her driving.
“When I see a red light, I just run right through it!” Murchison exclaimed. “And I don’t care about going the speed limit anywhere in this area. Why should I slow down to a measly 20 miles an hour when I enter downtown Carrboro? That’s for losers. Mr. Smothers’ class is my favorite. I learn the most of any class in it.”
Smothers insists that he is only trying to teach the kids driving techniques that will help them when they get to college.
“Sure, it might be more dangerous,” Smothers said, “but they are learning essential skills that they will use in just a few years.”
The parents do not express the same excitement about the class as their children do. Murchison’s mother, Sally Murchison, expresses confusion about the class.
“I am thrilled, just thrilled, that Anne has a class she enjoys so much,” she said. “But every day when she gets home, she says her ‘homework’ is to take the car out for a spin. I don’t know where she’s going or what she’s doing with it. It worries me when I see dents on my car and the neighbors complain about my daughter’s driving.”
Back in the classroom, Smothers touts the benefits of the course.
“It gives students an advantage unlike any other,” Smothers said. “And so far, there have been no fatalities.”
Photo by Sol Landman-Feldman/The ECHO
