Summary

A parent's experience with a "Student Driver" car magnet leads to an unexpectedly courteous driving experience in Los Angeles, prompting reflections on kindness and the shared journey of life.

Abstract

The author recounts a transformative driving experience in Los Angeles after forgetting to remove a "Student Driver" magnet from their car. This magnet, typically used to request patience from other drivers, inadvertently granted the author an unusually considerate journey on the city's notoriously challenging freeways. The author contrasts this experience with the typical aggressive driving culture and reflects on the broader implications of being a student in life, acknowledging the universal need for patience, learning, and growth. The article concludes with the author's decision to keep the magnet on the car as a reminder of human kindness and the importance of extending patience to others.

Opinions

The author finds typical car decorations like "Baby On Board" or political stickers to be unnecessary declarations and prefers the practicality of the "Student Driver" magnet.
Other drivers' reactions to the "Student Driver" magnet are seen as a projection of what society wishes to be: more patient and courteous.
The author expresses skepticism about the navigational app WAZE, criticizing its disregard for logic and safety in pursuit of faster travel times.
The author believes that the unexpected kindness from other drivers during this drive restored their faith in humanity, particularly in the context of Los Angeles traffic.
The author equates the unexpected driving courtesy to a metaphor for life, suggesting that everyone is a student navigating through uncertainties and learning experiences.
The author values the lesson learned from the experience, emphasizing the importance of asking for patience and acknowledging one's limitations without hiding behind a facade of confidence.

The Bumper Sticker That Changed Los Angeles.

(At least for a day)

My son recently got his driver’s permit, so I purchased one of those ‘Please Be Patient / Student Driver’ bumper magnets. This car magnet is the only car magnet that makes any sense to me.

As a general rule, I don’t understand car décor.

I always thought the Baby On Board declarations were a tad braggy (Big whoop…you’re fertile. Do you want a parade?) and were to be lumped in with My Kid Is An Honor Student placards (Big whoop…your kid works hard. Do you want a parade?)

I’m always confused by the political affiliation stickers, as well. What feeling is that supposed to elicit on a freeway at 75 mph? I suppose it’s just a way to express oneself.

Usually, I find, the magnet is a projection for what the driver wishes they were, but aren’t even close to achieving. For instance, when someone with a Namaste bumper sticker gives you the finger in a Trader Joes parking lot. This has happened to me twice.

The other day I was headed off on an epic drive. By epic, I mean at least two and a half hours. As I headed down the street, I realized I still had the Student Driver magnet on my bumper. Ugh. I really didn’t want to stop, get out of my car and take it off. I don’t know why really?

It doesn’t seem like such a huge deal as I write this, but at the time it felt like climbing Mount Everest in slippers. So I left it on.

What happened next can only be described as magical. I live close to Los Angeles, and those freeways are not known for their warm hospitality. It’s more like the Hunger Games meets Apocalypse Now meets La La Land (There is sun with your trauma. I’ll say that.)

This particular day I was also attempting to use WAZE (commence nausea and eye-rolling.) WAZE is a navigational APP, and I loathe it. I hate it because it never takes logic or safety into the equation.

Sure, it can get you to your destination 23 minutes faster, but at what cost? Dicey neighborhoods, unprotected lefts across 6 lanes of traffic, and the occasional ‘your car must now sprout jet skis to glide across this tributary to save 3 minutes.’ But, I really wanted to save the time this particular day. So….

I girded my loins, wept, and pressed on (as a side note, this sentence will also be on my gravestone.)

But this trip was different. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening. Other drivers were giving me loads of room. I mean, at least 3 car lengths front and back! Never had I ever experienced such a luxurious space.

Where was the honking or tailgating? Where was the profanity? Am I dead? Did I have an accident and die on the 101 at Sepulveda and didn’t realize it?

The magnet.

I was a student driver. I was given loads of extra space and tons of extra courtesies. People were waiving me over, giving me space to pass, allowing me spare time to change lanes. You name the driving nicety, I was afforded it.

What a lovely journey it was indeed.

You may be asking yourself, ‘Didn’t other drivers realize you were (how shall I put this without being insulting) crypt-keeper-lite and therefore NOT a student driver?’

No. They didn’t. (Super insulting, btw)

I have a math calculation for this phenomenon.

Speed On Freeway: Subtract 15 years

Ponytail: Subtract -5 years

Dazzling Smile: -5 years

New Face Cream:- 5 years

No One Could See Teenage Daughter Asleep In Backseat: -5 years

Good Bra: -2 years

So see? Instantly 15-ish.

I was so buoyed by humanity after this experience that I could hardly contain myself! I wanted to stop every stranger I saw I tell them my tale of ‘the lovely freeway drive.’ No one would have believed me, but my exuberance would have sold it, I’m sure of it!

Sometimes you get so beaten down by the worst of humanity; you forget that kindness exists…even while you’re driving…and I can’t say this enough…in LA.

The key to the drive was ‘the student’ moniker. People saw the student magnet and made sure I was escorted to my destination safely. This realization led me to this thought:

Aren’t we all students?

Students of life?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time. I stumble around half-knowing my next move. Unsure of where the roads I’ve chosen to walk down will lead.

I study, and then I guess. I learn the hard way because the easy way never hurts enough for me to pay attention. I look to others for guidance and direction. I celebrate when I make the tiniest step forward. I hurt people unintentionally and, most regrettably, intentionally. Both ways feel awful deep down in my gut. I ask for help. I work hard. I’m lazy. I fall down and get up. I fall down again. I humbly request forgiveness again and again and hope I get it. Sometimes I do. I pray.

Sounds like a student to me.

Not only does this magnet alert the world to my ‘student’ status, but it also asks for patience. ‘Please Be Patient’ it states in big black letters. I love that. It’s so simple and lovely. Next time I’m having difficulty with something, I’m going to remember not to hide behind a false bravado. I’ll quietly say, ‘Please be patient. I’m new to this.’

I’m keeping the magnet on my car all the time now. It gives the world an opportunity to show its loving side.

It also gives me more time to make that right on red at Thousand Oaks Blvd.

I’m grateful for both.

Thank you, magnet.