Driving

Post Reply New Topic

It's really not that bad once you do it for a while. At first its pretty tricky, doing multiple things at once... but it becomes all most subconscious. Plus it really only matters when acclerating, so once you get up to 4th or 5th gear you just keep it there and go. The hardest part is getting a "feel" for the clutch, its a much more sensitive pedal then the accelerator. And working both feet, thats something that takes some time. I used to play the drums a bit so that helped with getting my feet coordinated .

But with practice I think most people could get it. Now whether you actually like to drive manual or not is a completely other matter.

Driving is a big issue for me these days. It's strange because it nvever used to be so bad. I learnt to driver a tractor when I was 10. One of red Fergusons. I drove it a lot. I used to have to stand up to jump on the clutch to be able to change gears.
When I got my learners permit, my dad took me out on some dirt roads. We lived in the country by the way. He just freaked me out so much that I was shaking like crazy. I ended up asking him to just tell me what to do and let me practice in the paddock on my own. This worked out heaps better. I didn't get my licience until years later when I was 26 although I drove anyway. Which cost me a few driving unlicenced fines.
I really used to like driving in the country. And I used to drive an hour and a half to the city twice a week.
When I moved to the city when I was 23 I didn't have a car anymore. Not again until I was 26.
Any way to the strange part. When I was about 25 I developed this weird thing that I can only discribe as WAY to SENSITIVE to G-Forces. In cars and elevators and buses and trains and anything that goes faster than I walk this happens.....my musles and body start going tought and rigid and curl up, I can't breathe and intense pressure builds up inside my body but can't get out. And I feel like I'm going die. I leaves me weak and shaking and exausted. This is very EMBARRESSING to have happen on a public bus. I'm 33 now and have some control over it. But it can sneak up on me just when I think I'm over it, and slap me round the back of the head with reality. I'm better when I'm driving, but I haven't had a car for a year now so I'm nervous about when I do get one.
I'm wondering if this is some sought of overload happening maybe. I've got to point out too that I am not panicing while this is happening. I'm not one to sit there and think about crashing or whatever, it's not about emotional fear. The only way to keep some control over it is to make sure that I do go in vehicles every now and then.
I am wondering if anyone else gets this problem with G-Force too.

ElfMan

If you have public transportation at all, you're better off than I was when I was in high school.



That happened to me, and the instructors seemed to be encouraging it. Took me three years before I could try again, and then only because Dad made me.

I failed my second driving test too, but only because of parallel parking. Third time was a charm.

I still haven't gotten my driver's license yet. Between my slow processing in the overloading environment of driving, and my really poor spatial judgment, I doubt I'll be able to do so for a while. I've come dangerously close to hitting a number of other cars, had my dad not yanked the wheel in the other direction when I was on the verge of doing so. Also, sometimes in my state of overload, I can't figure out what I need to do and just stop in the middle of the street.

And this is with an automatic transmission-- there's already enough to keep track of; a manual would be even worse!

I posted this thread a while back on the same topic:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... pic&t=1462

I don't drive either. I am still learning to drive and it going to take me a while to get it. Will probably be using public transportation when I'm on my own.

I used to do that a lot. Then I got an electronic Yahtzee game, and have played that ever since. Greatest fun time-waster I've ever found - even got a second, "traveling" one for doctor's offices, etc.

I'm probably going to start Driver's Ed within the next few weeks...exciting...

I have posted a lot of my driving issues on the previous thread. I do not have my license yet, though I am 21 years old. I took driver's ed at 17, but never filled the amount of hours needed to take the test.

I get disoriented when cars pass by me at high speeds (ie. Highway driving).

I get hyperfocused, and can only see one thing at a time when I am driving, so I will become fixated on a traffic light, for example, but I will miss any cars turning into the lane, or pedestrians crossing the street, or the road that I am supposed to turn into, etc.

The noise of the cars around me really disorients me, as well. It's much easier when the windows are rolled up, but if they are down, it's impossible .

My vision sometimes tends to "white out" when I am driving, especially after trying to watch the road ahead of me for awhile. Things get very pale and distant, like a veil is drawn across my vision, and I feel like I can not "see" things.

Like Codeman, I have also just stopped in the middle of the street when I did not know what to do.

I really hate driving, and have been practicing every summer, but have not gone for the test yet. My parents are impossible to drive with, so I plan on taking a course for adults this summer when I go home, and will hopefully get my license that way, as it is a necessary evil.

You said it all. That is how I feel. When I am on my bicycle on the road I feel like i am being pushed around. Here in Maine , bikers must obey the same traffic laws as automobiles, but we dont get the same privleges. When I try to use the McDonalds drivethru which has faster service they tell me to get out of the way and go inside where the service sux. If I am trying to turn left out of a driveway or road and a car comes up behind me they beep at me until I move. I usually hold my ground, but one day the guy got out of his car walked up to me and said "you're holding me up, get out of the road. I said "I have a disability that prevents me from driving, I use a bicycle of transportation. Under Maine law I have the same rights as you do so shut up and return to your car and be patient!"
That felt good, I am usually very passive but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Another problem is those traffic lights that have sensors they will only turn gren unless they recoginze the wieght of a car. I leave for school at 630 in the morning. If there is no traffic the light keeps skipping my side and i have to wait as much as 10 minutes until a car comes. This light is right infront of the police station. A friend of mine was held up at this light, he gave up and ran it on his bike, the cops saw him and gave him a 50 dollar ticket. It is not easy being a biker.
If you bike, hoding your ground is the best thing to do to show these car nazis what is what.

My Rant is Done Thank you.