INTENSITY²
Start here => What's your crime? Basic Discussion => Topic started by: "couldbecousin" on July 01, 2012, 07:57:47 AM
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So I've decided to buy my father's unused car (8 years old,
77,000 miles on it) from my brother, and learn to drive, and get my license. I'm 46,
very nervous about driving in heavy traffic, and wondering how you drivers here manage
to process all the incoming information one gets on the road (signs, traffic lights, other
drivers' signals, etc.) and respond to all of it properly in split seconds. I have avoided driving
so far because I haven't trusted myself to handle the information overload, and I may not
drive much even after getting my license, but the car is available and I do need to TRY to
become more independent. How do you drivers handle it? :apondering:
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Not very good. I tend to bite my knuckles and chew alot of gum.
I'm alot of help. :P Traffic is probably the worst for me, I "can" do it, but avoid it as much as possible.
I stick to early morning hours and the less traveled routes if I need to make a trip into the more congested areas (home before noon usually here). We have a toll road that no one uses around here because of the price of the toll ($1.25), you're lucky if you pass 4 cars on it in the morning. To me it's well worth paying the toll to avoid the 2 lane traffic of the other route.
I focus only on the immediate area, and what just lays ahead in heavy traffic. Distractions can be an issue (for me). Another thing is I always know my route, if I have to drive somewhere new I map it out on the internet the night before, or take a ride there in the very early morning hours... days beforehand if I can so I can scope out the area, where to turn, where to park, etc.
Learning is the hardest part, you will get disgusted, you will want to give up. Don't. Find someone you are comfortable with that can teach you, and take it one step at a time, you can do it CBC! My accident prone grandmother who I wouldn't have trusted to wheel a cart in Wal-Mart (even when she was young), taught herself to drive a full-size stick shift truck that she was left with when her husband died, she drove for over 15 years to all the local stores without a license, until someone hit her in a parking lot. Then she finally went for her test at the cop's recommendation. :LOL:
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Awesome about your grandmother :prude: and thank you!
You sound like me re: distractions and the need to focus only on the immediate surroundings.
I too am planning to do a lot of "practice driving" to learn the routes I will use, and as much
as I can I will avoid city traffic. I know I will melt down a time or two in the process of
learning, but I have to do this. I'm 46, increasingly passive and pessimistic, accepting more
and more limitations and living pretty much like a retiree at this point (except for the fact that
I still have to go to work 5 days a week! :P ). I want to learn to drive so my world can open
up instead of getting smaller and more restricted. 46 is not dead. I am not done yet! :apondering:
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Be patient and take the time you need, both to learn how to drive and later to drive in traffic. Don't let others rush you into doing stupid things. Remember that it's the same for most beginning drivers--there's a lot of information to process.
Just remember why you want this when you feel stressed about it.
You'll be fine.
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Take your time, dont be in a hurry.
Find a mall parking lot to drive around in, to pratice stopping and going.
I am sure there will be some stop signs in the parking lot
Once you get more experience behind the wheel, it becomes more automatic.
Also, very important:
Never, ever ever post on I^2 while driving.
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Take your time, dont be in a hurry.
Find a mall parking lot to drive around in, to pratice stopping and going.
I am sure there will be some stop signs in the parking lot
Once you get more experience behind the wheel, it becomes more automatic.
Also, very important:
Never, ever ever post on I^2 while driving.
But I want to post in the "What are you doing now?" thread. "I am driving, w00t!" :autism:
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Take your time, dont be in a hurry.
Find a mall parking lot to drive around in, to pratice stopping and going.
I am sure there will be some stop signs in the parking lot
Once you get more experience behind the wheel, it becomes more automatic.
Also, very important:
Never, ever ever post on I^2 while driving.
But I want to post in the "What are you doing now?" thread. "I am driving, w00t!" :autism:
Thats cool, but at least put the car in park, while doing so :cbc:
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Take your time, dont be in a hurry.
Find a mall parking lot to drive around in, to pratice stopping and going.
I am sure there will be some stop signs in the parking lot
Once you get more experience behind the wheel, it becomes more automatic.
Also, very important:
Never, ever ever post on I^2 while driving.
But I want to post in the "What are you doing now?" thread. "I am driving, w00t!" :autism:
Thats cool, but at least put the car in park, while doing so :cbc:
I will try to remember that when the time comes. ;)
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You need a proper Jag. :zoinks:
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You need a proper Jag. :zoinks:
First I need to learn to drive the Ford Focus. :tard:
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You need a proper Jag. :zoinks:
First I need to learn to drive the Ford Focus. :tard:
A Focus is a good car to start with. I like them.
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Don't be too afraid, but also, never get too comfortable.
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Don't be too afraid, but also, never get too comfortable.
:indeed: I doubt I will ever be comfortable in heavy traffic!
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You already have plenty of good advice. Stay on low traffic roads/low traffic times until you get comfortable. Staying focused will become second nature with practice.
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I took drivers ed in high school. Our first drive took us over the Huey P. Long Bridge. (From Wikipedia - The bridge is hated by many drivers in the New Orleans area due to the narrow 9-foot (2.7 m) wide lanes without shoulders. Also, as the East Bank approach meets the superstructure of the bridge, the two vehicular roadways "jog" or shift inwards towards the bridge centerline about 11⁄2 feet (0.46 m) since the through-truss portion of the superstructure is 3 feet (0.91 m) wider than the deck truss portion of the east approach.) It's narrow, has train tracks down the middle and has a speed limit of 40mph. I had to drive it quite often for audit sites on the other side of the Mississippi.
I had to drive as much as 90 miles one-way to some audit sites. I actually put 88,000 miles on one car before I had to replace the brakes since I did so much highway driving. Practice, practice, practice is the key. You'll do fine, even though you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road.
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I took drivers ed in high school. Our first drive took us over the Huey P. Long Bridge. (From Wikipedia - The bridge is hated by many drivers in the New Orleans area due to the narrow 9-foot (2.7 m) wide lanes without shoulders. Also, as the East Bank approach meets the superstructure of the bridge, the two vehicular roadways "jog" or shift inwards towards the bridge centerline about 11⁄2 feet (0.46 m) since the through-truss portion of the superstructure is 3 feet (0.91 m) wider than the deck truss portion of the east approach.) It's narrow, has train tracks down the middle and has a speed limit of 40mph. I had to drive it quite often for audit sites on the other side of the Mississippi.
I had to drive as much as 90 miles one-way to some audit sites. I actually put 88,000 miles on one car before I had to replace the brakes since I did so much highway driving. Practice, practice, practice is the key. You'll do fine, even though you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road.
Why will I be driving on the wrong side of the road? :orly:
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I took drivers ed in high school. Our first drive took us over the Huey P. Long Bridge. (From Wikipedia - The bridge is hated by many drivers in the New Orleans area due to the narrow 9-foot (2.7 m) wide lanes without shoulders. Also, as the East Bank approach meets the superstructure of the bridge, the two vehicular roadways "jog" or shift inwards towards the bridge centerline about 11⁄2 feet (0.46 m) since the through-truss portion of the superstructure is 3 feet (0.91 m) wider than the deck truss portion of the east approach.) It's narrow, has train tracks down the middle and has a speed limit of 40mph. I had to drive it quite often for audit sites on the other side of the Mississippi.
I had to drive as much as 90 miles one-way to some audit sites. I actually put 88,000 miles on one car before I had to replace the brakes since I did so much highway driving. Practice, practice, practice is the key. You'll do fine, even though you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road.
Why will I be driving on the wrong side of the road? :orly:
Because you're Lady Weeble and will be driving on the American side of the road. BTW, how are you going to manage with no legs/feet in your weebleness?
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When I first got my licence I started driving only to work and back home to get used to it. Then I started broadening my horizons so to speak.
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If it were me, at first I would map out routes to work that are either at less busy times of day or else are on secondary roads to avoid heavy traffic. I do tend to be more tense and focused in heavy traffic and not want to carry on conversations that require a lot of concentration, however, I think you will get more comfortable driving in traffic over time.
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I've found that a sat nav unit helps. I'm not particularly good at finding my way, but it takes away all the stress. If I take the wrong turn, it will say so and help me find an alternative route.
My GPS also provides me with live traffic information, a truly awesome feature.
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Stay to the lesser traveled roads if possible as others have said, so knowing alternate routes is a very good thing. Another big thing is knowing where your are going and what lane to be in on the busy roads, nothing sucks more than being in the wrong lane and finding out at the last minute and nobody will let you in. Pay close attention to your surroundings and what the other cars are doing because most drivers don't and that is what gets them in trouble.
With that said my first time really driving on the highway and in heavy traffic was when my brother made me drive home from Kennedy Airport through NYC to Connecticut on I95 before that I had only driven on a rural part of I75 in Florida. :GA:
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And watch out for too boring straight roads, with no variation at all on the sides. That, combined with a sky with repetitive clouds can be so mesmerising that it is not working out well either.
Wish I found the bravery to drive again too.
Loved some parts of it, the more long distance driving, but, village and city driving never made me happy.
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(http://images.dailydawdle.com/grandma-driving1.jpg)
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I used to be better at it. My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years. It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.
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I used to be better at it. My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years. It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.
Same here.
Another thing...I cannot carry on any conversation and drive in traffic, or areas where I need to concentrate. I have been know to tell others to "shut up" frequently in these situations. :LOL:
Ex gets pissed because I absolutely will NOT answer the cell phone when driving. I'm lucky I can chew gum and walk some days, I really don't know what he expects. :autism:
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I used to be better at it. My attention span has gone to shit over the last couple of years. It's worse when there's someone else in the car because I'm worrying about them and not just the road.
Same here.
Another thing...I cannot carry on any conversation and drive in traffic, or areas where I need to concentrate. I have been know to tell others to "shut up" frequently in these situations. :LOL:
Ex gets pissed because I absolutely will NOT answer the cell phone when driving. I'm lucky I can chew gum and walk some days, I really don't know what he expects. :autism:
I already expect I will not be able to talk to anyone in heavy traffic. Except to say :finger:
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If you close your eyes the other traffic goes away.
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Is the focus an 'automatic'? It may be easier for you if it is. One less foot to worry about!
If you have a sat nav, don't change the voice on it to Ozzy Ozborne :facepalm2:
Just remember ...(it's the one in the middle) erm...the brake that is :tard:
You can't spazz out any more than i did? I drove to Scotland a week after i passed my test! went down motorway slip rd wrong way, then reversed on a motorway :tard: :tard:
Drove to Amsterdam a month later...crazy bastards drive on the other side... i went round a roundabout wrong way, almost went in canal and got several parking tickets :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking:
Whatever trouble you have just don't give up. I was determined and pig headed, impetuous, obstinate and a complete spaz but hey i'm cool now 8)
Always obey the speed limit, especially in residential areas or around a school. There ain't nothing clever about squashing a kid, and if you did have some kid run out in front of you
just remember a pedestrian who is hit by a car travelling at between 30 mph and 40 mph is 5 times more likely to be killed than if hit by a car travelling at below 30 mph.
Other types of roads require less attention and are probably more enjoyable and you will be able to put your foot down. You will then discover 'driving music' enjoy enjoy enjoy
Oh, and cbc, sober up a bit first :zoinks:
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If you close your eyes the other traffic goes away.
:lol1: I actually watched a segment on TV many years ago about some
religious nut who claimed he could drive with his eyes closed and "Saint Michael" would
protect him. He prayed "St. Michael above, St. Michael below, St. Michael, St. Michael
wherever I go." Wonder if he lives in my city and drives the same route I'll be using.
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:thumbup:
Scent of a Woman (6/8) Movie CLIP - Ferrari Test Drive (1992) HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itr0jcR0S4s#ws)
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The speed limits are really recommendations only. Sometimes they are intended to show minimum speeds. :tard:
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The speed limits are really recommendations only. Sometimes they are intended to show minimum speeds. :tard:
So really, I may drive as fast as my car can go? :orly:
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The speed limits are really recommendations only. Sometimes they are intended to show minimum speeds. :tard:
So really, I may drive as fast as my car can go? :orly:
Oh yes, why do you think they'd put all those numbers on the dashboard thingy there if they weren't allowed? :nerdy:
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
Says the kid with no car. Damn, those grapes are sour!
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
Says the kid with no car. Damn, those grapes are sour!
Because changing my avatar and name every day and being a constant instigator makes me clever! :autism:
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
Says the kid with no car. Damn, those grapes are sour!
Because changing my avatar and name every day and being a constant instigator makes me clever! :autism:
That makes a lot of sense there Dook. Between being an instigator and being a lame parody of myself who says the exact same thing every time the same subject comes up, I'll take the former and call it clever. :hahaha:
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
I wish public transportation were better too, but it isn't. I've depended for years
upon the (limited) bus service in my area, plus cabs (expensive) and family and friends
with cars (inconvenient), and at age 46, feeling stuck in a dead-end job, I want to have
the options of going to night school, travelling as I please, maybe even moving to a new
city or state ... and none of that is easy in my current situation. I don't want to be 50
and still imposing on my brother and sister to drive me places when they may need
MY help. I'm going to feel like a spazzy idiot while I learn to drive, and god knows how
I'll PAY for all the insurance, maintenance, gas, etc., but I need to become more
independent. Having a car would enable me to take paying gigs as a pet-sitter, so there
is that. I know of a few people who would pay me well, if I could get to their houses. :apondering:
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I basically have the min insurance (can't afford much else), I have it taken out in monthly installments...much easier to budget that way.
Focus should be good on gas, much easier than feeding a thirsty 6 cylinder.
Set some money aside and expect the unexpected...and to do a few minor repairs the first year if this car wasn't used much/sat awhile??
My truck basically sat for 10+ years only going back & forth to the P.O. and bank now and then so had to have tires right off, not because they were worn out but because of dry rot...battery, wiper blades, tune up, etc. A bunch of small stuff the first year...abs sensor, wipers dying every rain storm (thankfully an easy fix)...this one (Focus) sounds newer so hopefully won't have any problems.
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No one obeys the speed limit anyhow. They usually drive 50 in a 35 zone. And 60-70 in a 45 zone. While texting, of course. ::)
I wish public transportation was a million times better. Have buses in every town and trains in-between. The idea of everyone having their own car and being out and about is the stupidest fucking idea ever.
Where do you live (UK, US, in a town, in a city)? Because, some places, you can't not have a car and still function. Some places you can. Some places, you kinda can.
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You've been given great advice, and I'm not much help because driving is what relaxes me and I can stay relaxed during the worst of traffic situations. but I do know you'll do well. Just do it at your own pace while you're learning and with practice, it all gets much easier. :hug:
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Driving relaxes me, too.
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Driving helps me think.
I problem solve behind the wheel. Doesn't work so well
in heavy traffic. Don't get road rage, but i am a fucker
with a supermarket trolley! :viking:
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I just use an iPhone app to avoid traffic
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Cbc, you'll do fine with a little determination and practice. My aunt lost the vision in one eye when she was a child. She didn't learn to drive until she was in her 60's. She was a cautious driver, knew her limits and did well. So can you.