Between fast-moving highways, sudden weather swings, and busy city traffic, Calgary asks a lot of new drivers. Students who train with Kruzee instructor Saumitra, however, finish their lessons feeling ready for all of it.

In this instructor spotlight, Saumitra shares why safe-driving habits matter more to him than test scores, how he coaches students through the unexpected, and the most common mistake he helps new drivers fix.

What Saumitra Enjoys Most About Teaching

For Saumitra, teaching someone to drive has never been about simply getting them through their road test.

“What I enjoy most is helping students develop lifelong safe-driving habits, not just test-passing skills,” he said. And in Calgary, that distinction really matters. A road test lasts thirty minutes on a route an examiner chooses, but real-world driving means making good decisions in all kinds of conditions.

The best part of the job? Watching the transformation happen. “Seeing a student progress from nervous and uncertain to confident, aware, and safety-focused is extremely rewarding,” Saumitra said. “Knowing that I’m helping create safer drivers who can protect themselves, their passengers, and other road users is what makes this work meaningful to me.”

How Saumitra Helps Students Manage Unexpected Situations

If there’s one thing Alberta drivers know, it’s that weather and traffic conditions can change fast. Rather than shielding his students from this reality, Saumitra builds it into his lessons from day one.

“I prepare students by teaching them that unexpected situations are a normal part of driving, especially in Alberta, where road conditions can change quickly due to weather, traffic, or wildlife,” he explained.

His approach in the moment is just as deliberate. “During lessons, I remain calm and provide clear, simple guidance so students stay focused on vehicle control, space management, and hazard avoidance,” he said. He also teaches students to slow down both mentally and physically, maintain a safe following distance, and choose the safest option rather than rushing.

“This approach builds confidence and helps students make controlled, responsible decisions under pressure.”

A Common Mistake that Saumitra Helps Students Correct

After countless hours in the passenger seat, Saumitra has noticed one habit that trips up new drivers more than almost any other: they don’t look far enough down the road.

“One common mistake I see is that new drivers don’t scan far enough ahead,” he said. “Many focus only on the vehicle directly in front of them instead of scanning 12 to 15 seconds ahead and continuously checking left, centre, and right.”

The consequences can add up quickly. Drivers who only watch the car ahead of them tend to react late to changing traffic lights, slowing traffic, and developing hazards – and a late reaction can be dangerous. Scanning ahead is the foundation of defensive driving: when you spot a hazard early, you have time to respond calmly and safely.

His fix? Teaching students to “actively read the road early, anticipate changes, and adjust their speed smoothly.” It’s a skill he considers critical for safe driving in Calgary’s varied traffic and weather conditions.

Learn more about how Kruzee trains instructors to teach defensive driving here.

What Saumitra’s Students Have to Say

Of course, no one can vouch for an instructor quite like their students:

• Daniel found that Saumitra’s warmth made all the difference. “He was very friendly, kind, patient, and easy to talk to, which made me feel much more comfortable during my lesson,” he said. “He explained everything clearly and really helped me understand what I needed to improve.” By the end of his lesson, Daniel felt noticeably more confident: “I would definitely recommend Saumitra to anyone learning to drive.”
• Emily came away impressed by both the process and the instruction. “The booking system was simple and flexible, and my instructor Saumitra was fantastic,” she said. “He focused on safety and helped me correct small mistakes I didn’t realize I was making. I passed my test and feel like a much safer driver now.”

Needless to say, Saumitra’s students leave their lessons feeling safer, calmer, and more confident behind the wheel.

Ready to get started? Find a top-rated instructor near you and book your first lesson today.