Do you drive?
@sprite1950 (30452)
Corsham, England
March 10, 2018 4:58pm CST
I do not enjoy driving. I learned when I was 54 because my mother was ill and needed transporting to various appointments. It took me five attempts to pass my test and the worst anxiety.
However, I'm not a bad driver now apart from my appalling sense of direction which has caused me endless problems and my less than adequate parking skills.
Having said that I have never had an accident and it has been useful for getting around. My mum has gone now but I can ferry my granddaughter around to her different activities. I just wish I enjoyed it more.
Do you like driving?
35 people like this
43 responses
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Here traffic is extremely unruly.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@vandana7 I think you drive on the left in India as we do here in the UK.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
11 Mar 18
We had a show here in the US called Ice Road Truckers (semi-drivers in Canada). They did a series while over in India and let me tell you, you are right, the drivers over there are nuts.
3 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@JudyEv Yes I think we all slow down as we get older!
2 people like this
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
10 Mar 18
I used to enjoy driving very much. So much that I became a Department of Transport Approved Driving Instructor, then Advanced Driver Trainer, Royal Air Force Instructor, before joining the NHS Transplant Teams as a high speed Emergency Blue Light Response Driver - mainly rushing donor hearts from theatre to theatre.
Having studied driving very intensely for many years, there are two things which stand out in my mind:
a) We never ever know it all and we must always remember our own limits of skill,
b) Driving is a very accurate and reliable 'window' to the real person behind the wheel. People are completely different in public or when they're with others outside of their immediate family. When you see their behaviour in a car, you can rely on the fact that they are like that at home in their lounge. Often, the observer will be shocked and very disappointed by what they see.
3 people like this
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
10 Mar 18
@sprite1950 No, not any more - it's just a chore now.
I've had so much training - thousands of pounds spent on me over the years - to become as skilled as I needed to be, and now I find myself in the midst of countless bungling, incompetent idiots who are only avoiding accidents by the grace of God. In England there is far too much traffic on the roads and too much incompetence to go with it. You just can't get anywhere in a sensible, reasonable time (unless you're on blues).
Also, there is very little courtesy to others. It's 'I'm alright Jack and to hell with anyone else.' Shame really ! ??
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@GranTurismoGuru But despite all that we have one of the best road safety records in Europe and I do wonder sometimes what I worry about when I see some of the awful mistakes other people make. I'm much safer than a lot of the people I see.
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@GranTurismoGuru My partner has always said that a person's driving style reflects their personality so it's interesting that you should say that. You say you used to enjoy driving, do you still enjoy it?
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@Freelanze I looked forward to passing my test but it wasn't what I expected. I've been too nervous.
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@NJChicaa I would love to be like you. To be able to drive anywhere without being nervous,
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@NJChicaa Yes I did take lessons when I was young but never stuck at it. It was only when I really needed to that I made a real effort to pass my test.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (119633)
• United States
10 Mar 18
@sprite1950 It is probably because I've done it since I was a teenager. It's always been a part of my life.
1 person likes this
@Betxie1221 (469)
• Philippines
10 Mar 18
as for me, i don't know how to drive but i really want to learn how... that is one of my goal for this year.. i hope i really can.. i get nervous looking at many other cars that run so fast...
4 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@Betxie1221 Yes some people do drive too fast but you don't have to. Good luck with your goal and let us know how you're getting on.
2 people like this
@Betxie1221 (469)
• Philippines
10 Mar 18
@sprite1950 oh thanks then... yes i will let you know here in myLot... but for now i still have to save all the courage and patience also for me to do that goal of mine..
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92788)
• United States
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 True. I remember a neighbor of mine lighting up when she found out I had a car. I had no idea people would look to me as their driver.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@AmbiePam It's the bit I hate the worst and it's always the same people who keep asking,
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@AmbiePam I know what you mean. I didn't realise how people would use me for lifts all the time. I don't mind driving my family around but it gets irritating when people you hardly know start trying to cadge lifts,
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
11 Mar 18
I can't say I like driving nor do I hate it. But it's something I rarely do these days and I only do when I have to. I learned how to drive at the age of 10. I was really interested in that. I was allowed to drive with a professional driver next to me until I got my own driver's license. I was the first woman child to ever drove around our town and the police were amused and a bit amazed, they never called my attention nor my parents. But then again, I wasn't driving alone without supervision. I guess that's why I don't seem to enjoy driving anymore these days.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 I don't think it's because I started young, I think I'm a better driver because of my interest in it. I drove a manual shift gear. My son will be turning 14 soon but he has no interest in driving.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@toniganzon Wow that's amazing but children do pick up skills quicker than an adult because their brains are still geared to learning. Do you think you are a better driver for having started so young?
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@toniganzon He's still quite young. I expect he will change his mind later. In the UK most of our cars are manual although I switched to an automatic as time went on and I like them.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
10 Mar 18
I got my drivers license when I was 16. I was stoked to be able to drive but fast forward 11 years later not a fan of driving. I would rather not drive and enjoy being a passenger There is just too much traffic here..
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@infatuatedbby I prefer to be a passenger and I think it's partly because the roads are so busy these days.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Yep the roads are busy here too, lots of traffic!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@infatuatedbby I never used to be so nervous but I really don't enjoy it any more so if I can get a lift I will.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@sjvg1976 Just like me, I do it when I have to but I would rather not.
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@Jlyn10 Do you have a driving licence or did you never learn to drive? Sorry I misunderstood your post. I see from another post you do drive .. you just want your own chauffeur
1 person likes this
@tech40 (23121)
• Philippines
11 Mar 18
I really enjoy driving, especially my car has a horsepower which is I really enjoy, there are times that I travel early morning, like 12 am, onwards, so that there'll no other cars on the road, and I can enjoy traveling, "Of course I'm driving with care! I haven't commit accident "That I'm the one who started" but my car got damaged because one of the car in front of me accidentally "Reversed his car" that cause damage to my car
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@tech40 I hope he had insurance so he could pay for the repair. I feel better driving on quiet roads too.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@tech40 Don't you have to have insurance in your country? We have to by law here in the UK or we get fined.
1 person likes this
@tech40 (23121)
• Philippines
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Nah he doesn't have, but he gave me money for the repair, Yeah quiet roads are awesome, especially when I open my windows while driving urgh! I miss driving!
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@jstory07 Yes my partner likes driving so he is happy to take me anywhere I don't want to drive myself.
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@amadeo I'm not sure. I used to like it but as I have got older I worry more about having an accident.
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@amadeo I was in an accident when I was 17. I was a passenger in a soft top VW which came off the road and rolled several times. Really scary but luckily none of us were seriously hurt
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 that my friend should wipe it out of your mind.I have been driving for years.I had a few accident but this is normal for some.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@nela13 I wish I enjoyed it more. I would go to many more places than I do now,
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
10 Mar 18
@nela13 I think if I wanted to regain my confidence I would need a refresher course.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 It can definitely be hard. But at least you did it.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@dodo19 Yes I was so proud of myself, It was a good day as later that day I remember my partner and I visited Germany on a 4 day trip so I didn't get to drive my car alone for a few days.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@dodo19 It took me over 1 year and lots of lessons before I got my full licence. I thought I would never pass my test,
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@LadyDuck I learned very late in life and I had an aunt who learned in her sixties.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@LadyDuck Yes I don't mind driving where the roads are quiet but hate heavy traffic.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471548)
• Switzerland
12 Mar 18
@sprite1950 I drove a couple of times in the United States. My husband was sick, we have to move from one place to another, I did. I drove on large flat highways, I felt very comfortable. Here the traffic is horrible, if I do not feel to start to drive now.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@Hannihar I used to have a scooter but I didn't enjoy it in the bad weather.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@Hannihar No definitely especially not on snow and ice.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950
Snowdrop66, it really is not good to drive in bad weather.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@mohit459 It's a very useful skill to have,
1 person likes this
@mohit459 (12565)
• Haldwani, India
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 yep..
Have a wonderful day
1 person likes this
@Bullshark (3477)
• Netherlands
11 Mar 18
I don't like driving, I love it! It gives me pleasure and makes me feel free... :)
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@Bullshark I would love to be like you but I although I find driving useful I don't enjoy it too much,
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
12 Mar 18
@Bullshark No, there aren't many electric cars where I live although I think there are more in London.
1 person likes this
@Bullshark (3477)
• Netherlands
12 Mar 18
@sprite1950 Do you by any chance drive an electric car? If so, then I completely understand where you're coming from. I can't imagine myself enjoying a ride in such a vehicle. E-cars are dull...
1 person likes this
@LeshineEricka (39)
•
11 Mar 18
I don't drive since we don't have a car haha! But i think it is fun to learn.
2 people like this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@LeshineEricka I never really enjoyed it but did it to help my mum out. It is a useful skill to have though.
@LeshineEricka (39)
•
11 Mar 18
@sprite1950 It's true that it is a very useful skill,it can help you out in times of emergency. Don't worry you will get used to it.
1 person likes this
@sprite1950 (30452)
• Corsham, England
11 Mar 18
@LeshineEricka I don't know that I will enjoy it again now but there's always the train!