Driving Aspies/Others on Spectrum

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My dad tried to teach me to drive for about one block. Then he had to teach me how to change a flat tire and we wre both very relieved that the driving lesson was over.

I learned to drive at age 25. I'm a reasonably safe driver but only because I'm such a careful driver. I never eat when driving (the one time I tried it, I came about an inch from colliding into a tree so I don't do that anymore) and I can't have anyone talking in the car when I'm driving. Music, yes (it's a mental cue to remind me to keep focused and not space out -- I've spaced out and ended up scraping against the guardrail in the center of the freeway so now I always listen to music and if I'm on a longer trip, I stop every 20 minutes to allow my brain to space out a little and get it out of my system) conversation, no.

People talking to each other in my car is too distracting and people trying to engage me in conversation while I'm driving is very dangerous. I've done things like enter a freeway going the wrong direction because someone kept talking to me. When I finally made the connection between people talking to me and me running into things or driving the wrong way down the street I quit letting other people in the car when I drive and I haven't had any kind of scary incident since then. I just have to drive alone, with music, for no more than 20 minutes at a time. I'm perfectly safe when I do that.

I drive, but then again I live in an area where public transportation doesn't quite go everywhere so it's basically a necessity. I do like to listen to music, and the car stereo I got as a birthday gift has a connector for my iPod, with the USB cable, which is great for long drives as I don't have to pull over and stop to replace a CD. One thing I've always done is kept my cell phone off and in my purse when I drive, something I did long before my state made it illegal to talk or text while driving.

lol

on the point of Sparrowrose: I am SO glad that parents arn't allowed to teach in my country. I learned it from a driving instructor, who fortionately was very experienced and didn't even winch when I did something stupid

Driving with my mom is still a challenge, unless I forbid her to speak about the driving, because that makes me so nervous I make mistakes I never would if she's not in the car.

For the rest I am just a stickler to rules. When the sign says 100, I drive exactly 100.

i've been driving for 20 years. sometimes i enjoy it.

but ..
i space out a lot & get lost, miss exits & roads. i get pretty anxious on highways.

at night lights from oncoming cars confuse me a bit. i generally will avoid the lane closest to oncoming traffic whenever possible, day or night. a bit of trouble driving down narrow streets (will i hit the parked cars??) and figuring out where car is in relation to the lane i'm supposed to be in - that stuff is never easier, even after 20 years so i know it is a perceptual thing.

definitely helps to play music pretty loud. noise from other traffic bothers me quite a bit.

Driving makes me nervous and I am easily distracted. I've been driving since I was 16. Highways make me nervous, too. I've always driven like a granny, but lately, I've been going a little faster. I got a 6 cylinder in January and it's kind of fun to give it a little gas and speed up very quickly. My driving makes my husband nervous. Sometimes I'm concerned that there are others on the road with my same sort of mind set - that's scary. I drive as little as possible.

quoted for truth. i'm a great driver actually and I really enjoy driving.

I actually drove by myself for the first time yesterday (got my license a couple weeks ago). and I am 23 now. Wasn't too bad, although I am avoiding freeways at this time.

Driving makes me really anxious. I took lessons, but I don't have my full license. I've lived in cities with decent public transit since I moved out so I haven't needed to drive.

I very much like to drive, and I drive very well.

Unlike some others here, I don't listen to music when I drive. Being in the car alone is one of the few places every day where the auditory input is manageable. I cherish the relative quiet and solitude. Unless someone crashes into me, they're not going to be invading my bubble, either.

I also ride a motorcycle. I love the feeling of the heavy gear, and the helmet surrounding my head.

I wonder if some people posting in this thread, are more fearful of accepting the independence and responsibility of driving, and the responsibility of interacting with fellow drivers on the road, rather than the motions of operating the car?

I consider my driving privilege to be about the most important part of freedom to me. I learned to ride motorcycles first, and at one time, didn't think I'd need to have a car. However, when I was about 17, I was riding with an (adult) friend, and he pulled over and told me I was driving back. I was already fine with traffic and safe driving habits from a couple years on motorcycles, so basically I just sat in the seat and drove without any trouble. I learned a stick shift just as easily... I didn't want to be taught, and I already understood the clutch from bikes. I bought a Subaru Brat, and just got in and taught myself the stick shift. 25 years after that now, I still prefer a stick shift to an automatic; feels like I have just a bit more control of the automobile.

Charles

Me too! I have a set of properly-fitting Alpinestars 1-piece leathers. I prefer those to pants & jacket. Only problem/reason I don't wear them for every ride, is I need help to get them off.

Charles

My mom had a Brat for years! What a cool little car.

I prefer stick shifts, too. They make me feel more engaged with the road. If I could afford a second car I'd have one for that reason.

I have been driving for over 9 years, and I enjoy it.

so do i. i can't stand a car making decisions for me.

I have a license and a spotless driving record. I only get stopped for the occassional infraction, like not wearing a seat belt, which I do at all times these days. Driving is a lot of fun, especially while listening to music. It's my favorite passtime, like some sort of meditation.