The day my son died in a car accident and why you need the "Gateway Teen Driver Experience Guidebook" for your child
About this episode
Lenny Lawson lays out a teen driver safety event at Gateway Ford and Gateway Nissan in Greenville, Tennessee, featuring state troopers, a staged traffic stop, and hands-on instruction under car lifts. He explains why teens need more than driving practice: understanding safety tech like ABS, how airbags deploy, and how to respond to real-world situations (intersection checks, handling spins). Lawson shares a personal crash story from 1974 to stress survivability and driver responsibility, then promotes a take-home “Gateway Teen Driver Experience Guidebook” for parents to review at home.
Email Lennie at [email protected]
check the oil
"They've never raised the hood of a car. If you ask them to check the oil or check the air pressure in their tires, check the power steering fluid, change a tire, jumpstart a car, they wouldn't have a clue."
Oil is what keeps the engine parts from grinding against each other. Checking it helps you catch low oil before it causes expensive damage.
Checking engine oil level is a basic maintenance step that helps ensure the engine has enough lubrication. Low oil can lead to increased wear and, in severe cases, engine damage.
air pressure in their tires
"If you ask them to check the oil or check the air pressure in their tires, check the power steering fluid, change a tire, jumpstart a car, they wouldn't have a clue."
Tires need the right amount of air. Too little air can make them wear out faster and not grip the road as well.
Tire air pressure affects grip, braking distance, and ride comfort. Underinflated tires can overheat and wear faster, while overinflated tires can reduce traction.
power steering fluid
"If you ask them to check the oil or check the air pressure in their tires, check the power steering fluid, change a tire, jumpstart a car, they wouldn't have a clue."
Power steering fluid helps your steering feel easier. If it’s low, turning the wheel can feel heavy and harder to control.
Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid (in many older systems) that helps the steering feel light and responsive. If it’s low or contaminated, steering can become difficult and components can wear out.
change a tire
"If you ask them to check the oil or check the air pressure in their tires, check the power steering fluid, change a tire, jumpstart a car, they wouldn't have a clue."
If you get a flat, you have to replace the damaged tire with the spare. Knowing how to do it safely can prevent panic on the road.
Changing a tire means swapping to the spare (or a replacement) when a tire is damaged or flat. It’s a practical roadside skill that requires correct lifting points and safe handling.
jumpstart a car
"If you ask them to check the oil or check the air pressure in their tires, check the power steering fluid, change a tire, jumpstart a car, they wouldn't have a clue."
A jumpstart helps a car start when the battery is too weak. You have to connect the cables the right way so you don’t damage the electrical system.
Jumpstarting a car is using another vehicle’s battery (via jumper cables or a booster) to start an engine when the battery is dead. It requires correct cable connections to avoid electrical damage.
cruiser
"We'll have a cruiser actually in the showroom. We've got this scene set up."
A cruiser is a police car. It’s the vehicle officers drive while patrolling and responding to calls.
A cruiser is a police vehicle used for patrol and enforcement. It’s mentioned here as part of the staged demonstration so kids can recognize what a real officer and patrol car look like during a stop.
traffic stop
"We've got this scene set up. He's just pulled over a car in our showroom and he's going to do a traffic stop."
A traffic stop is when a police officer pulls your car over. The officer may check why you were stopped and what’s going on with the driver and car.
A traffic stop is when law enforcement pulls a vehicle over to check the driver and vehicle for a suspected violation. In the context of a teen-driver program, it’s about teaching what officers look for and how to respond appropriately.
lifts
"We'll have multiple vehicles up on lifts so we can show them all the systems on the underside of the car"
In automotive shops, lifts are hoists that raise a car so technicians can access the underside. The speaker plans to use multiple vehicles on lifts to teach teens about underbody systems and maintenance tasks they can do themselves.
Gateway Nissan
"So again, this teen driver event is going to be on July the 23rd at Gateway Ford and Gateway Nissan beginning at 6, so get here about 10 minutes early."
Gateway Nissan is a Nissan dealership. They’re co-hosting the teen-driver event.
Gateway Nissan is a Nissan dealership location also hosting the teen-driver event. Like other dealerships, it can provide facilities for demonstrations and practical instruction.
Gateway Ford
"So again, this teen driver event is going to be on July the 23rd at Gateway Ford and Gateway Nissan beginning at 6, so get here about 10 minutes early."
Gateway Ford is a Ford dealership. They’re hosting the event where teens can learn in a controlled setting.
Gateway Ford is a Ford dealership location hosting the teen-driver event. Dealerships often provide showroom space and service equipment (like lifts) for hands-on training.
Chevrolet Nova
"... spun out and wiped out a brand new 1974 Chevy SS Nova. The car had no traction."
The Chevrolet Nova is a car model made by Chevrolet that was popular for performance, especially in the 1970s. If a car “has no traction,” the tires can’t grip the road, so it can spin or slide even if the engine is strong. That’s why a Nova might be mentioned in a crash story about losing control.
The Chevrolet Nova is a classic American muscle car from the 1960s and 1970s, known for its straightforward, performance-focused design. In the context you shared, a 1974 Nova is being discussed after a loss of traction, which highlights how tire grip and driving conditions can make even a “brand new” performance car behave unpredictably. It’s a common kind of car to bring up in stories because its power and weight can expose traction limits quickly.
traction
"The car had no traction. The roads were slick."
Traction is tire grip. If the road is slick, the tires can’t hold the pavement well, so the car can slide or spin when you turn or brake.
Traction is how much grip the tires have on the road surface. When traction is low—like on slick roads—tires can’t transfer enough force to accelerate, brake, or turn, so the car can slide or spin out.
anti skid mechanisms
"You know, back then the cars didn't have any kind of anti skid mechanisms on them like dynamic stability control."
Anti-skid mechanisms are safety systems that help stop the wheels from slipping. When the car senses loss of traction, it can step in to help you keep control.
Anti-skid mechanisms are electronic traction and stability features designed to reduce wheel slip during braking or cornering. They help the driver maintain control by intervening when the tires lose grip.
dynamic stability control
"Yeah, it was. You know, back then the cars didn't have any kind of anti skid mechanisms on them like dynamic stability control. If I'd had that, I probably wouldn't have spun out."
Dynamic stability control is a computer-based safety feature that helps prevent skids. If the car starts to slide, it can automatically reduce power and brake certain wheels to help you stay on course.
Dynamic stability control is an electronic system that helps keep a car from sliding out of control by detecting loss of traction and correcting it. It typically works by adjusting engine power and/or applying specific brakes to individual wheels.
interlock brakes
"Combination of that and the interlock brakes could have prevented my accident. Plus, well, I wasn't hurt because it was just kind of a glancing blow."
Interlock brakes is a way of describing coordinated braking that helps the car stay stable. The idea is that the brakes work together to reduce skidding and help avoid accidents.
Interlock brakes refers to a braking system strategy that coordinates brake application to help prevent loss of control. In this context, it’s being contrasted with older cars lacking modern electronic stability/anti-slip assistance.
seatbelts
"Especially when you don't have seatbelts on. I think it's important for the kids to be aware of what the capabilities are of a car,"
Seatbelts hold you in place during a crash. Without them, you can be thrown forward or sideways, which makes injuries much more likely.
Seatbelts are restraint systems that keep occupants in place during a crash, reducing the risk of serious injury. In side impacts and head-on collisions, wearing a seatbelt can significantly change how forces act on the body.
capabilities of a car
"I think it's important for the kids to be aware of what the capabilities are of a car, what safety mechanisms are there. What do anti-lock brakes feel like?"
“Capabilities of a car” means what the car can and can’t do in an emergency. Knowing that helps kids drive more safely because they understand the limits of the vehicle.
“Capabilities of a car” refers to how well a vehicle can perform and protect occupants under real-world conditions, including braking effectiveness and electronic safety interventions. For teen drivers, understanding these limits helps them avoid situations the car can’t safely handle.
anti-lock brakes
"What do anti-lock brakes feel like? I've had several people come to me and they bought a new car. Now this is in the past when anti-lock brakes were new. They would come and they'd say, there's something wrong with my brakes."
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help you stop without the wheels locking up. That’s why the pedal can pulse during a hard stop—it's the car automatically adjusting braking to keep traction.
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking. When ABS detects wheel lock, it rapidly modulates brake pressure, which can cause a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal.
traffic light
"A lot of people trust the traffic lights. You should never trust a traffic light."
The speaker is emphasizing intersection risk management: even with a green light, drivers should still check for cross-traffic because some drivers run red lights. This is about defensive driving rather than trusting signals blindly.
spin
"Another thing is how to handle a spin. Most new drivers have no clue."
A spin refers to a loss of traction where the car rotates around its axis, often resulting in the vehicle facing a different direction than intended. New drivers may panic and do the wrong inputs, so training focuses on staying calm and controlling the car’s direction.
airbags
"We're showing them some videos of how airbags work. A lot of people have not seen actual airbags deploying what that's like."
Airbags are safety cushions that deploy during a crash. They help protect people by reducing how hard you hit inside the car, especially when used with a seat belt.
Airbags are supplemental restraint systems designed to deploy rapidly in a crash. They inflate to cushion occupants and reduce injury by working together with seat belts during the collision event.
tire sidewall
"[709.6s] So where do you get those pressure readings? [712.3s] Again, most people don't know. [714.1s] They look on the sidewall of the tire. [716.6s] They may do that."
The sidewall is the part of the tire with printed information. It may show the tire’s maximum pressure, but your car might need a different pressure for everyday driving.
The tire sidewall is the outer wall of the tire where key markings are printed. It often includes a maximum pressure rating, which is not necessarily the same as the pressure your specific car requires.
maximum pressure
"[716.6s] They may do that. [718.1s] It'll say 32 pounds or 36 pounds. [721.8s] But that's the maximum pressure for that tire when the tires are cold. [727.2s] If you want to know what pressure your tires are supposed to have on it for your car,"
Maximum pressure is the most air pressure the tire is allowed to have. It’s not automatically the right pressure for your car—your car’s label tells you what to run.
Maximum pressure is the highest air pressure the tire is rated to handle, typically listed on the sidewall. It’s usually specified for cold tires and should not be confused with the recommended pressure for your car’s ride and wear.
tires are cold
"[721.8s] But that's the maximum pressure for that tire when the tires are cold. [727.2s] If you want to know what pressure your tires are supposed to have on it for your car,"
You should check tire pressure when the tires are cold, like before you drive or after the car has sat. Driving heats the tires and can make the pressure reading look higher than it really is.
Tire pressure is measured accurately when the tires are cold, meaning they haven’t been driven long enough to heat up. Heat increases pressure, so checking after driving can give misleading readings.
door jam on the driver's side
"[727.2s] If you want to know what pressure your tires are supposed to have on it for your car, [731.7s] you look in the door jam on the driver's side. [735.0s] There's a little label there. [736.9s] And it will say how much air pressure is supposed to be in the front and rear tires."
On most cars, there’s a sticker in the driver’s door jamb that tells you the correct tire pressure. That sticker is what you should follow, not just the numbers printed on the tire.
The door jamb (driver’s side) typically contains a manufacturer label with the correct tire pressures for the specific vehicle. This is the authoritative source for front and rear pressures, which can differ by axle and tire type.
different tires on the front and rear
"[742.1s] You know, some cars come with different tires on the front and rear. [745.0s] They can't be rotated."
Some cars use different tires in the front than in the back. If that’s the case, you may not be allowed to swap them side-to-side or front-to-rear during rotation.
Some cars use different tire sizes or tread designs on the front and rear axles. When that happens, the tires may be directional or axle-specific, so they can’t be rotated front-to-rear.
tire pressures
"And they require different pressures. The front requires 37 pounds. The rears require 45 pounds. What does that do to the performance of the car?"
Tire pressure is how much air is in your tires. If it’s too low or too high, the tire doesn’t sit on the road the way it should, so steering and grip can feel off.
Tire pressure is the amount of air inside a tire, measured in psi. The correct pressure matters because it changes how the tire’s tread contacts the road, which directly affects grip and handling.
alignment
"If you keep the air pressure right, they'll last longer. Plus, if you get an alignment once a year, they'll last longer."
Alignment is how your wheels are aimed. If they’re not set right, your tires can wear unevenly and you’ll replace them sooner.
Wheel alignment is the adjustment of angles like camber and toe so the tires roll straight and wear evenly. If alignment is off, tires tend to wear faster and unevenly, even when tire pressure is correct.
Mazda Rx7
"Of course, depending upon the amount of miles that you drive, it could be the difference between needing new tires at 40,000 miles and at 70,000. I had a guy one time, got 80,000 miles out of a set of tires on a Mazda RX-7."
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car. Here it’s mentioned to show that if someone stays on top of tire pressures, they can get unusually long tire life.
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car known for its rotary engine and enthusiast-focused handling. In this segment it’s used as an example of how careful tire-pressure management can stretch tire life to very high mileage.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.