La Velle Goodwin

Former Senior Instructor of a very

Comprehensive Defensive Driving Program.

The Origin Story of Driving

Hero Academy

I don't know when you reached the

age of "Young and Stupid," but for

me, it was around 14. By 16, I was

confidently sitting in the passenger

seat while my newly licensed friend

Suzanne whipped in and out of

traffic at high speeds. Suzanne often

stole her mother's 1981 Buick

Skylark Convertible (white, with a

red leather interior), and we were

both convinced she was an amazing

driver! She was doing everything

other drivers did, but faster.

When Suzanne turned 18, she

started teaching me everything her

driving instructor had taught her.

Naturally, I thought I was destined

to be an amazing driver too. Soon, I

headed out for my road test in the

stolen convertible. I blew through a

playground zone, failed to stop for

pedestrians, and committed a list of

other infractions that should have

caused me to fail the test. But, to my

surprise, the examiner said, "Well, I

probably should fail you, but I'm

going to give you your license today

because you’ve got pretty eyes." My

17-year-old self was thrilled! In

retrospect, I'm not particularly

impressed with the integrity of that

examiner.

Fast forward two years, and at 19, I

was looking for a job. Scanning the

Wanted Ads in the local paper, I

found an ad for inexperienced people

who wanted to be driving

instructors. "No experience required,

will train. Must have 2 years driving

experience." A choir seemed to sing

as my heart leapt in my chest. THIS

IS IT! I thought. I can do all the

things faster than other drivers, and

I had two years of driving

experience. So, I applied, confident

my potential employer would be very

impressed with my skills.

Long story short, they hired me—not

as an instructor but to work in their

sales office. "You have to take the

course we offer," they said. I

remember telling my manager, "But I

already have my license. I know

everything already." She smiled and

told me I needed to understand

what I was selling. Unimpressed, I

complied, imagining the instructor

calling on me over and over for

answers as the new, inexperienced

drivers sat by, knowing nothing. But

as I sat in that class, my thinking

was turned on its head. I walked

out, painfully realizing I knew

nothing and wasn't sure how I had

managed to stay alive for the two

years I'd been driving.

I became obsessed as I learned

about the staggering number of

deaths and serious injuries from car

crashes. It impacted me deeply

because, as I learned, over 90% of

all crashes were entirely avoidable by

any driver, regardless of legal fault.

It weighed on me—needless,

senseless deaths and life-altering

injuries. Why wasn't everyone

learning to avoid crashes? Why

wasn't it required before getting a

license?

The answers came as I delved into

the history of the school where I

worked. The system they taught

resulted from a private endeavour to

determine how many crashes were

entirely avoidable, regardless of legal

fault. A group of driving "experts"

was convened, including experienced

truck drivers, a retired RCMP driver

trainer, a race car driver, an old taxi

driver—you name it. They analysed

crash reports to figure out what

every driver could have done to

avoid each crash. The result was a

system of about 25 strategies and

tactics that, if used all the time,

would keep drivers out of over 90%

of avoidable crashes. This system

became a driving program for new

drivers, but the school kept their

secret to themselves.

As I learned more, I was given free

rein to dig into traffic safety issues,

road testing standards, and the

driver training industry. Soon, I

became the official spokesperson,

expecting that every news interview

and TV appearance would lead to

change. But it never did. Later, I

became an instructor for that school,

gaining first-hand experience in what

I had spent years learning in theory.

Obtaining my instructor's license was

not easy, but it wasn't meaningful

either. Much of it seemed ridiculous

and arbitrary. After meeting the

provincial requirement for an

instructor's license, I started the real

training—how to teach a new driver

to apply all the defensive driving

strategies and tactics of this

exclusive program.

We trained our students in

meaningful emergency manoeuvres

that were potentially life-saving.

While other driving schools practised

driving the road test routes, we

ensured our students could merge

onto freeways, make high-speed

lane changes, and execute

emergency braking and avoidance

manoeuvres. We taught them to

pass the road test only after they

had a good grip on the skills that

mattered. At that point, teaching a

new driver to pass the road test took

about an hour. Our instructors

retrained and upgraded annually as

a condition of employment.

After leaving the driving school,

having failed to effect any change in

road testing standards or the overall

view of driving, I started an

entertainment company. My concern

for loved ones kept me training

people I loved—my kids, nieces,

nephews, friends' kids. To this day, I

try to step up to keep people I love

from dying in crashes. While

performing at a pub, I grew

increasingly concerned for the

owner, who was stressed and driving

long hours in wintery conditions. I

explained to her the type of crash

she was most at risk for and how to

handle it. Unfortunately, weeks later,

she faced that very scenario and

died in a head-on collision with a

gravel truck. I still struggle with not

being able to help her.

Over time, I continued helping

friends and family become better,

safer drivers, but I can't train every

new driver. As my ability to take the

time for training decreases, I realized

the best trainers for kids are people

who love them. The best thing I can

do is help parents know and

understand exactly what, when, and

how to teach their loved ones to be

the smartest drivers on the road.

And with that, Driving Hero Academy

was born.

“La Velle is one of the best instructors I have ever had, and I’ve had many, as well as having been a corporate trainer myself. She is funny and quick-witted, and so knowledgeable! She presents the information in such a way that you will not forget it.”

Laurie Trimble

Calgary, AB