Driving

[teehee100]

So, I know I'm supposed to learn how to drive, but I'm really uncertain about it. Part of it come from that fact that when my oldest sister was learning how to drive she and my grandmother got into an accident. From that point my grandmother's life went down hill until they day she died. The accident essentially gave her a chronic bladder infection and later on she broke both her hips. One then the other. I'm afraid for the responciblity that comes with driving, in that you hold people's lives in your hand when you get behind the wheel. Any suggestions or tips? Please.

[Kitty279]

Oh, I am sorry about your sister and grandmum! That had to be hard for all of you.

My idea would be to inquire about the best driving teacher (not sure how it is done in your neck of the woods, here we have licensed teachers for that), and have a chat with the possible choices and make sure he understands your insecurities and can help you there, not getting all snappish and annoyed if you are uncertain. Hopefully, he'll then give you time, maybe make sure you can do the first few times somewhere with little traffic until you feel a bit more secure.

But all in all, it is not necessarily bad to learn to drive. Even I did, and I am deaf! Accidents can always happen, some people are driving that you can't help but thinking that their driving license is more of a weapon license, and I've wanted to throttle a few idiots over the time - badly! I don't know if your sister was at fault or another driver, but in any case, that's not something that happens every day. Just try to be attentive and concentrated, but try not to be too nervous.

Good luck! *hugs*

[eskimoRock]

I'm really excited to learn to drive! I have four or so months left until I can apply for a learners permit. I like the idea of the freedom, and my mum said she'd take me out for practice between driving lessons.

I know it's quite common to be scared about driving- my grandma never learned, because she had a dream when she was younger that something terrible would happen to her driving. She just decided not to learn after that!

[teehee100]

Thanks kitty. Send hug and virtual chocolate from Belgium. My sister was fine and another driver hit them. The sucky part was that they knew it was coming, but couldn't get out of the way. It was a red light and a five car accident. I will keep our advice in mind. Thanks again.

[Kitty279]

If it was another driver, then at least she doesn't need to feel guilty, that's good I guess there are always situations when even an experienced driver can't do anything, never mind a beginner, so I hope she's not still suffering from it.

Thanks, I love chocolate Glad I could help a little bit to make you feel better. Again, good luck, and don't worry too much!

[fantasy]

I never wanted to learn how to drive, but I had to get my learners. So back in 2009 I got my learners and I only did two hours of driving with my dad before refusing to drive. Then, with less than a year left before my learns ran out, my Papa took me out driving and I willingly went.

When it comes to learning to drive, start small where there is next to no traffic and the speed zone is like 20 km to 50 km. Then, once you have mastered the basics, slowly start to go out into traffic and faster speeds, at least that's what helped me. It also helps if you have a good driver. I found that my grandfather had a lot more patience than my father, which made it easier for me to drive.

I've only had my P's for two months and I still ain't keen on driving, but eventually you will find out how you like to drive [for example, I can't have the radio on or the windows down] and hopefully you will be able to become calm and learn to avoid some of the idiots on the road [i'm dealing with at least one everytime I go driving].

[MySecretSecondChance]

I only got my Learners last week and it was terrifying the first time i got to drive, there wasn't much traffic around but I almost crashed it to one of my best friends house going round a roundabout and it really didn't help that I had my little brother and sister in the back joking and screaming that we were going to crash.

[Kitty279]

To be honest, I don't get what these two were doing in the car, to have younger children in there was only serving one purpose - to distract you. No driving teacher here would allow that!

[MySecretSecondChance]

My Dad was was letting my drive the car home after going to lunch and back to school shopping for for my my sister(17) and Brother (14).

[Kitty279]

That's something I can't wrap my mind around. If he did that here, he'd face legal actions, because that's highly illegal.

[MySecretSecondChance]

Really ? its perfectly legal over here Where are you from?

[Kitty279]

I know it's legal in some countries, but I never was comfortable with it. Here in Germany, we have special schools for that, certified instructors and special cars where the instructor has gas petal and brakes, too, so they can interfere if the newbie does something wrong. Any driver without license caught in a private car would be in heavy trouble - as would the owner of the car for allowing it.

[MySecretSecondChance]

wow Germany's strict with that kind of stuff then. here in Australia we have driving schools with those special cars too you just get to choose whether or not you want to learn from your parents or from a professional or both (Plus you need to do 100 hours and hold your learners for a minimum of 1 year before you can take a test to be allowed to drive by yourself.) and the driving school are way expensive.

[eskimoRock]

Yeah, here in england too driving lessons are ridiculously expensive. If you choose to be taught by an instructor, they take you out on the roads themselves, but as long as you have a permit and the person you're driving with has a full licence, they can teach you. I know a few people who have just been taught by a parent to save money!

[Kitty279]

Here there are only these professionals, there's no learning by parents. And yes, it can get rather expensive, but there's no way around it.