Is anyone else afraid of driving?

[universetwisters]

I got my learner's permit a few months after my 15th birthday. I still have it, being 17. I never bothered going out to get my legit license because I'm scared sh*tless of driving. I'm good on motorbikes and bicycles and golf carts, but when it comes to real cars, like the kind you see on the road, I freak out. I only drove twice, first time around my neighborhood, and the second time from walmart to my place, so I'm probably not in any position to make an opinion, but from what I felt during those times, it makes me not want to drive a car again. I kept feeling that either I was too far out in my lane, that I would hit and kill someone, or some eighteen-wheeler would pop up out of nowhere and slam into me head-on.

 

Does anyone else feel the same way about driving? Do you guys freak out over the thought of being behind the wheel, or are you guys all calm and chill about it?

[klllerford]

I love being behind the wheel, think it's awesome.

[Typhus]

I am terrified of driving because I am a thoroughly stupid person who has trouble telling left from right. It's the damndest thing, my driving instructor tells me to turn right and I have to work out on my fingers which one is left and which one is right.

It's especially scary when I do sh*t like turn the wrong way on a roundabout.

I told my family I was too scatter-brained to drive, but they didn't believe me, I think I was right all along. God help us all if I ever manage to actually get a driving license.

 

Shouldn't be surprising, though. I couldn't even tell the time or do up my shoelaces until my late teens. I'm a turnip with eyes.

Edited September 8, 2013 by Typhus

[Bigs]

I love driving, I find it peaceful and almost meditative. Put on some tunes, spark one, and just take in the world around me.

 

But to be fair the vast majority of my driving is in rural areas where there is very little traffic. The times I've driven in Chicago and NYC were incredibly nerve-racking, I still wasn't "afraid" to be driving but it did stress me out.

[Joseph Cooke]

I love driving, I find it peaceful and almost meditative. Put on some tunes, spark one, and just take in the world around me.

 

But to be fair the vast majority of my driving is in rural areas where there is very little traffic. The times I've driven in Chicago and NYC were incredibly nerve-racking, I still wasn't "afraid" to be driving but it did stress me out.

 

Exactly this.

 

I thoroughly enjoy driving, and do most of it in the countryside (the odd time in the likes of Newry or Belfast, way more focus required).

 

But like most things; the more you do it, the better you'll become, growing in confidence. Plus it's good not having to rely on buses or others for lifts.

[Nlwt]

I never really had that problem. Been driving for about 6 months now and I thoroughly enjoy it. I've already witnessed a couple of accidents whilst on the road but I've never been scared. I can understand why you would feel like this as there are some knobhead drivers on the road and there can be consequences, but if you feel comfortable on bikes and golf carts, then I can see why it would be any different in a car. Motorbikes can be more dangerous imo

[universetwisters]

I never really had that problem. Been driving for about 6 months now and I thoroughly enjoy it. I've already witnessed a couple of accidents whilst on the road but I've never been scared. I can understand why you would feel like this as there are some knobhead drivers on the road and there can be consequences, but if you feel comfortable on bikes and golf carts, then I can see why it would be any different in a car. Motorbikes can be more dangerous imo

I've piddled around on my brother's dirtbike and it wasn't too scary. But then again, he lives out in the rural backwoods of costal Virginia. It probably has to do with the kind of car I've driven so far. I'd probably be fine in something like a Yugo, or a Trabant. But no, my mom's gotta be a stereotypical American and drive one of these motherf*cking cocksuckers around, despite having no practical use for an SUV:

 

[Guest]

I'll get my full lisence in November, but so far, driving is fun.

 

The only time I feel nervous is when I'm completly boxed in on the highway doing 110 Km/h.

[orbitalraindrops]

It took me about a year to learn to drive. Alot of my peers managed it in ten lessons. I even failed my theory first time and had to resit it. My driving instructor was a stereotypical "Bloke" as well and that just made it even more awkward. I only managed to pass because I started to try and find what I enjoyed about it. I also practised the test routes religiously with my parents. Now that I've passed though I doubt I'll drive for the foreseeable future. Cars and there upkeep are way out of my price range and I don't really have an immediate need for one. If anybody struggles I suggest learning in a diesel car. It is so much more easier than a petrol as the clutch is alot more forgiving. I found that in a petrol i'd always stall when I tried to move off as I couldn't get the balance between gas and clutch quite right. In a diesel though you can literally get the car rolling just by raising your biting point and then pressing the gas as you see fit. They don't have to be in tandem like in a petrol.

[Nlwt]

 

I never really had that problem. Been driving for about 6 months now and I thoroughly enjoy it. I've already witnessed a couple of accidents whilst on the road but I've never been scared. I can understand why you would feel like this as there are some knobhead drivers on the road and there can be consequences, but if you feel comfortable on bikes and golf carts, then I can see why it would be any different in a car. Motorbikes can be more dangerous imo

I've piddled around on my brother's dirtbike and it wasn't too scary. But then again, he lives out in the rural backwoods of costal Virginia. It probably has to do with the kind of car I've driven so far. I'd probably be fine in something like a Yugo, or a Trabant. But no, my mom's gotta be a stereotypical American and drive one of these motherf*cking cocksuckers around, despite having no practical use for an SUV:

 

 

That doesn't help I suppose. Not everybody is cut out for driving. Heck if you don't need to, then don't, until you feel like you need to later on in life. I only insisted on driving as soon as I could because public transport where I live is incredibly unreliable and everybody looks at you like dog sh*t when you get on a train or bus. Now I can give them the dirty looks and the middle finger whilst I drive past them whilst they're standing under a rusty bus shelter in the rain.

[universetwisters]

 

 

I never really had that problem. Been driving for about 6 months now and I thoroughly enjoy it. I've already witnessed a couple of accidents whilst on the road but I've never been scared. I can understand why you would feel like this as there are some knobhead drivers on the road and there can be consequences, but if you feel comfortable on bikes and golf carts, then I can see why it would be any different in a car. Motorbikes can be more dangerous imo

I've piddled around on my brother's dirtbike and it wasn't too scary. But then again, he lives out in the rural backwoods of costal Virginia. It probably has to do with the kind of car I've driven so far. I'd probably be fine in something like a Yugo, or a Trabant. But no, my mom's gotta be a stereotypical American and drive one of these motherf*cking cocksuckers around, despite having no practical use for an SUV:

 

 

That doesn't help I suppose. Not everybody is cut out for driving. Heck if you don't need to, then don't, until you feel like you need to later on in life. I only insisted on driving as soon as I could because public transport where I live is incredibly unreliable and everybody looks at you like dog sh*t when you get on a train or bus. Now I can give them the dirty looks and the middle finger whilst I drive past them whilst they're standing under a rusty bus shelter in the rain.

 

I'll probably just get a dirtbike and helmet and ride that bad boy everywhere I need to.

[assmillk]

All I wanted to do was drive when i first got my permit. you just need to have the right idea about it. Just know that there are people on the road that will make mistakes and you just have to know when they will. Once you get used to driving, you get comfortable with it enough to love doing it.

Im getting my license in 10 days. all im going to do is drive.

[H. León]

My dad taught me to drive when I was 7. IKR? Here in my small Mexican town, driving isn't taken too seriously. I've been driving by myself since I was 14, and nothing bad has happened (at least to me lol). I love driving.

[ALMOST610]

One part of driving is being comfortable in the vehicle you are using, sometimes it is better to practise in a large car like an SUV so when you get a smaller car everything, like parking for example, seems so much easier to do, it is probably a good idea to do your first few drives in a quiet area where there is no traffic so as to build your confidence and help you get a feel for the vehicle.

 

I've had my licence for almost a year now, and had 2 years of practise prior to that, and on the day I was eligeable for my full licence (You have to be 18 Years old so it was my Birthday, and have a log book with atleast 120 Hours or Practise Driving) I went for it and passed and have never looked back, If I don't have to catch a bus for the rest of my life it will still be too soon.

[El Dildo]

all you can do is control your own surroundings.

you can't help what other jackasses do on the road.

 

I've never been afraid of driving because I'm a good driver.

other people might be poor drivers, but you can't live in fear of that. the same way you can't live in fear of being struck by lightning.

 

driving is fun (especially if you have a nice car ) and liberating.

just be a good driver yourself and you'll be fine. if someone else causes a wreck then so be it.

[The Pizza Delivery Guy]

Only if I start driving like sh*t for any reason. If I'm driving well, I feel fine, then I run a Yield sign. Then I go on a 4 way when the the other guy had right-of-way. Then I start speeding. Just degrades from that first mistake.

 

Here in the middle of nowhere I don't mess up too much. Even in a generally larger town like Dickinson I'm confident in myself. Bismark though? Heart stopping. When you see 5 lanes going against 5 more lanes to the left jam-packed full coming up on stop lights that you don't know how to navigate... that sh*t's nuts.

 

And DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON MINNEAPOLIS. Don't go there brother.

Edited September 8, 2013 by The Pizza Delivery Guy

[Guest]

Never been in a real car but how hard can it be?

 

Would I be able to pick up real driving easily since I've played a lot of racing games and am good at them?

Edited September 8, 2013 by Guest

[TheKryptonite]

No, why would I be?

[Max]

Never been in a real car but how hard can it be?

Where do you live?

[H. León]

Never been in a real car but how hard can it be? Would I be able to pick up real driving easily since I've played a lot of racing games and am good at them?

Actually, the cockpit view helps to get a bit used to the perspective. Calculating the width and length of the car was the biggest challenge I had back when I started. Although you won't turn into an ice trucker from playing racing games.

[The Pizza Delivery Guy]

I'll be honest GTA IV helped me learn to parallel park.

[Moth]

Never been in a real car

Wait what? How is this even possible?

[Hodgey.]

 

Never been in a real car

Wait what? How is this even possible?

 

 

Perhaps he lives in Antartica. No need for cars when you have a sled and a group of Huskies.

Edited September 9, 2013 by Hodgey1989

[Smith John]

Personally, I love driving - especially when drunk. There's not much out there more exhilarating than getting sh*t-faced and swerving from lane to lane while head-banging to some heavy electronica pumping from a 15" dial.

 

Seriously, give it a bash.

 

/sue-ability foundation

[H. León]

 

Never been in a real car

 

Wait what? How is this even possible?I think he means he's never droven a real car. Edited September 9, 2013 by HUGOHL

[ryuclan]

What is that a Ford Explorer? Those aren't that bad. What you need to do is stop focusing on the fact that you're driving and focus on where you're going. My first time actually driving (on the street and on the highway) I was so nervouse I couldn't feel my legs after I was done. But after that it was awesome. It's soothing to me and I often use it as time to think about things and make decisions. Its not something to be scared of, but if you have no desire to do it then you don't have to. I find it weird though that you ride motocycles but are afraid of driving a car...

 

 

Also driving is easier in real life than in games. There is so much tactile feedback to let you know whats going on and once you have a car of you own the thing will practically drive itself.

Edited September 9, 2013 by ryuclan

[Moth]

 

 

Never been in a real car

Wait what? How is this even possible?

I think he means he's never droven a real car.

 

Huh, that is an extremely stupid way of saying he has never driven a car before. Cause the way he wrote it, made it sound he has never been inside a car, driver or passenger.

 

 

But to get on topic, when I first drove on the road, I was scared sh*tless. Now, it really does make me feel more relaxed. Plus if my friends and I are going out, I rather drive then allow them to drive. They all suck at driving, plus a few of them have driven drunk.

Edited September 9, 2013 by The General

[Ex Hellraiser]

I am terrified of driving, because I am excellent at it (I am also 17). Ignorance is bliss, I guess. I notice every single mistake that every driver makes, and every time I go out, I fear that it may be the last time...

 

A bit overly dramatic, but completely true. My driving instructor told me that every single time I should go out on the road, I must assume that every single driver I see is drunk. I should be keeping an eye on every single car that comes and goes. In all honestly, that is true. When you are driving, you absolutely need to keep your eyes moving at all times. There are small things going on around you all the time, and there is always the chance that when you fail to notice one of those small things, it can result in you rear ending someone, or getting T-boned by the guy who ran the red, or ripping the driver door off of the guy who wasn't watching traffic when he was getting out of his car. I'm not trying to scare you, but at the same time, I am trying to scare you

 

If you can just keep your eyes open for everything that goes on around you, you will get accustomed to driving. It doesn't hurt to have a dashcam, either. There are assholes out there that will try to get you into an accident, and make it look like your fault.

 

Having a fear of driving the way you do is a bit irrational, and you really need to overcome it. I never would've pegged you, universetwisters, as a guy who would be scared of driving...

 

All it takes is practice. A lot of practice. I'm not going to tell you practice makes perfect, because, being real here, it is impossible to be "perfect" at driving. There is always the .0001% chance of that unavoidable drunk, or that texter who drifted over a lane, or the kid who ran in the street to get their ball. You never know.

 

I've had the gift of being in two accidents prior to learning to drive, which scared me sh*tless, and taught me not to be distracted (or an otherwise asshole) while driving). The first one, a woman pulled into the intersection when my brother was on a 45mph road, and we didn't have a stop sign. He T-boned her, and sent her to the hospital, with a broken back. I feel no sympathy for her, because she was uninsured, driving someone else's uninsured car, after having back surgery the week before, and wasn't supposed to be walking, let alone driving.

The second incident, my mother and I were waiting at a stop light, and it turned green. However, the car in front of us didn't notice (this was a 55mph road). We honked and waited behind 3-4 other cars, and all of a sudden, get blasted in the rear (no innuendo here) by a Corolla. He was texting, had looked up briefly to see the green light, and kept on his 55mph course. He failed to notice the cars at the green light not moving until it was too late. He also wasn't wearing a seatbelt, so I feel no sympathy for him either.

 

Point is, just learn to be vigilant, when you are going anywhere. Even now, if you are in a car with someone else driving, learn to be aware of your surroundings. Watch what the other people are doing, and imagine possible outcomes of someone if they make a mistake. I do this every day, I watch car crash videos on YouTube every day, and I've driven for 2 years myself, and never gotten a ticket or been in a crash. Of course, I have the odd curb check or wrong turn, or missing a stop sign, but everyone does, and that is what you need to be wary of. Driving is a discipline, and if you aren't disciplined enough, it will come to bite you in the ass one day.

[GTA_stu]

Pfft cars, who needs 'em.

 

Pedal power is the way I live my life. Cycling is awesome. You get to run red lights like a maverick, and all the loser drivers sit jealously in their metal loser mobiles saying "Well if I can't do it, why should that dick be able to!" But I'm too busy with my forward momentum to give a sh*t about their stationary insults. It keeps you in great shape too, you just weave through traffic like a slippery, majestic eagle, whilst car dwellers just stare at your pert buns and steely calves in awe.

[TEoS]

I don't mind suburban driving, I love highway driving, but I hate driving in major urban areas. So many asshole drivers and little reactionary time to get into appropriate lanes since no one ever seems to be willing to let you get over to where you need to go.