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