Thoughts on driving
I was taking my son to the orthdontist today and I noticed a very nervous student driver in front of me. My dad always said to wait for and expect someone to do the stupidest thing possible and be prepared for it. That sound advice was in my head and I backed off and gave this wobbly new driver a wide berth.
We got to the entrance of the freeway and the kid pulled right in front of an 18 wheeler that was going about 70mph. The Truck driver swerved to miss the collision and the kid swerved the same direction and almost got run over again. I think I puckered the leather on my drivers seat as I watched this unfold.
That poor instructor was likely cured of any constipation issues he may have had.
I basically taught myself to drive. I had driven off an on since I was 8 but it was mostly steering on the freeway with cruise control. When I was 13 I got a crash course. My dad had a broken leg and arm from a bad motorcycle accident and was having trouble driving. He basically handed me the keys and said let's go.
From that point on I drove him around all the time. I was nervous as hell and had no permit of any kind but dad would calmly instruct me. From that point on I drove him everywhere, even after his bones mended.
By the time I went to driving school I was almost an expert. I failed my first driving test though because the emergency brake indicator light was on as I took the test. I told the cop it was just a short but he failed me anyway. Officer Hadley...grizzled old fuck. Everyone told me that he would find a reason to fail you the first go around. He pretty much failed everyone in my class.
I found out when his shift was and went during an off hour to try again. Passed no problem.
These days, I HATE driving, I HATE other drivers and I can't wait until my son is old enough to haul my carcass around town like I did for my dad.
I let my son drive my old 77 Granada around a parking lot when I still had it. The look in his eyes and grin on his face reminded me of my first time in the drivers seat.
However, I don't see letting him on the freeway anytime soon.
posted by Bill Rowland @ March 29, 2007
24 Comments
24 Comments:
I have been teaching my step son to drive. He's 14. I want him to know how to drive before his mother starts teaching him because she is a HORRIBLE driver. You should see me stomping a hole in the floor board trying to find the brake that isn't there...lol
LOL ieat. I've done that before while being a passenger.
I too hate other drivers, Hams. I'm such a control freak in the car though, that I don't have any desire to be in the same care with my daughter. Thanks, no.
I've been on both sides of the equation. I admit I like driving - it gets you where you need to go and does it fast - but I wish they'd make sidewalks and streets a bit more bike- and pedestrian-friendly. Having student drivers and sometimes licensed, supposedly mature drivers play target practice with you is a puckering experience.
- ISU Tinkerer
I'm not real crazy about driving much anymore, I've become somewhat of a homebody over the past couple of years.
That's one reason I'm into inclimate weather conditions. I love winter and fall because there are far less people on the road.
Got a girl turning 15 before long. Oh boy...
I'll have to teach her in my F-350 too I'd imagine. Dang.
In the good old days when mum got her driving license, first you got the license then you would learn how to drive.
My Dad taught me to drive too. He was very calm and taught me well. I still love driving....music playing, singing, watching the world. I DO get a bit impatient with 'stupid' drivers who don't know what they're doing!!!
I taught my daughter to drive and was surprisingly calm too. Although it WAS a bit stressful at times. I drew in a lot of breath!!!
I like driving when there is very little traffic -- and people aren't on their cell phones...
Why do you hate it ? Hmmm, maybe it's the 20 things other drivers do that drive you crazy... I know I swear at least once a day... Did I say I liked driving ??? Well, sometimes the scenery is pretty...
My first driving instructor left to become a chef and never told me. I hated my next driving instructor and think that was why I passed; it was a relief not to be in the same car as him. I have now perfected the London technique of driving. Go from 0-60 as fast as poss, hoot if the car in front does not pull away from the lights 0.5 seconds since going green, only slow down when you can see a speed camera. Motorways freaked me out until I had mastered these basics. Not sure why they don't modernise to my specifications.
Maybe I am that person you fear!
I learned to drive by myself. Never took driver ed in school or had lessons. I watched The Rockford Files. I could spin a car around at 60 and change directions before I had my license. Drop the rear end and tear out the transmission in one shot. I still love to drive. I just need to get myself a real car. This Kia is a poor substitute.
Well... hmmm.. my 15 year old son is learning to drive now and all I can say is "STAY OFF THE ROADS!"
I know you said your dad was desperate when he turned you loose, but speaking from experience.. desperation alone is not enough, lol.
He was either one very brave man or a crazy man with a penchant for heart palpitations.. no offense meant on that crazy man remark of course. :P
I learned to drive by stealing my parents cars when they wasn't around.
I still love to drive, I just don't like driving around all the monkeys.
snowmanpoop: I'm always on the fake brake. It would be dangerous if they gave me a real one lol good luck on the student driving!
Barista: It's tough riding with people that have a "different driving style" ;)
ISU: I wish they would make things more walk bike friendly too. As it is it's like herding cats.
gunz: F350 lol I hope it's an automatic!
lex: my grandmother told me that during the depression a drivers license was 25 cents and the only rule was you had to be 12 years old.
kb: a drive out in the country can be ok but stupid drivers ruin everything.
annie: lol you nailed it. that's exactly why I hate it :)
mental mac: thanks for visiting :) that london method had been adopted worldwide unfortunately. At least your instructor knew his ceiling of aptitude ;)
jp: I had to take drivers ed or wait to 18, stupid laws. One time I got bad gas and had to stand on the accelerator shitfing during revving to get home. I ended up standing the car up on it's side from twisitng off the drive shaft.
It made a hell of a racket too.
groovy: He was crazy but in a controlled kind of way :) Good luck with the teen driver!
BBC: just about every long haul truckerI talk to says they love to drive. Yep stupids ruin a good thing.
I passed the test 1st time because I was female. True. I was a nervous driver for years. Now I really enjoy it. I prefer to be in the driver's seat esp on long distances.
Other motorists are the only thing that keep me from truly enjoying driving.
I'll also add (and piss off a few folks, I'm sure) that the stereotype that we place on Asian drivers holds completely true when your on an island surrounded by them....big, big fun.
I really don't remember when I learned to drive..I know I had a drivers license at 14 but I had been driving long before that..I reckon by the time I could see over the steering wheel of a farm pickup.
I used to like to drive but that was before the crazies on the highway. Now I just drive when I have to and take my time when I do it.
I know what you mean, I've only been driving for 6 years and already I hate almost every other driver on the road. I love driving, but there are way too many people who never should have been given a license.
jeannie: road trips aren't that bad especially in the slow lane.
gunny: lol So it's true what they say after all :)
guyk: crazies is right!
brandon: I'm amazed how these retards get a license to begin with
My mom used to sit me in her lap every once and a while when I was very little and let me steer on dirt roads. Then she'd take me out into the neighborhood when I was getting ready for my driving test and let me make turns and go slow. Dad, on the other hand, took me out on the freeway the very first time. Scared the shit out of me, for about 30 seconds, and then it became cool. My biggest hastle was that after I took my driving test and passed it, dad wouldn't let me actually drive until my insurance became active. I had to wait about a week, or maybe it was only a few days but felt like a week.
I took drivers ed, but I did learn a stick shift pretty much on my own. I don't particularly like driving, mainly because I am easily aggravated by other drivers.
I'm a good driver and so are my children. Lucky me ...
I didn't even attempt it until I was 18 and that was because nobody would take me to work anymore. I normally do all the driving now. I'm a control freak, what can I say?
I don't like driving either and in California it's nasty. Everyone believes that the little space you leave between you and the car in front is just enough for them to move into! I am currently "teaching" my 15 yr drama queen daughter to drive!
You see...I love driving. I could drive forever. It is amazing that I did not become a Truck Driver. I love the road and I love getting out there...and now with GPS technology there is no way I can get lost...well almost.
Flyinfox_SATX
hahaha. Great advice that 'expect anything'.
I love driving, it's my me-time, where all I care about is me and where I am free to dream my dreams and listen to whatever I want to listen to and sing along loud and proud and off-tune cos I sound like shit.
I love it.
Post a Comment
Welcome back
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home