For those who cannot do more than one thing at a time, but succeeded in driving

[Spiller]

LOL. I do roundabouts every day. Hard to avoid them coming home. Gets a little tricky if two or more cars are entering at the same time though.

Parallel parking* ? Piece of cake.

(* If I was Pinnochio right now my nose would have just left the solar system.)

Hey Wyv...what about those cars that are supposed to do it by themselves? That intrigues me. A little...not a lot!

Oh I was beeped once, but hahaha didn't give fig; no embarrassment at all and my husband kindly informed me that drivers were looking at me angrily and I just thought: so what? I want to be a safe driver and thus, they have to get used to it. I thought that because the kind of car that I would be driving, has a speed max of 40ks and it is obvious it is a special car, that the French would be accommodating and apparently and I saw for myself, that they are the opposite and in actual fact, one did not even indicate until the last moment!!!

I love driving, but it is a skill that has to be improved through experience for safety though, oddly (certainly in the UK), modifying your skills would probably also be a driving test failure.. the lessons and test here are mostly about taking your money though.

Roundabouts can be a problem, especially if turning lanes aren't marked as people in a hurry seem to go for the shortest queue, even if it's the left lane and they're turning right and so cut across everyone else (UK - driving on the left).. my rule is - go for the middle or the slow lane, go round slowly and watch your wing mirror for anyone trying to beat you to your exit.. then floor it!!.. Just kidding, slow and steady wins the race.

Never trust indicators! Lots of people don't bother with them, use them too late, use them wrong - especially on roundabouts, or forget they're still going after their last turn.. recipe for disaster! I always wait to see their car slowing or moving into a turn before I move off.

Ya gotta keep practicing all those manoeuvres - reversing round a corner, parallel and reverse parking.. I take some pride in being a careful and considerate driver - I've learned from a lot of accidents in 20 years, never had one that was my fault though. I find keeping up with the skills maintains my confidence in my ability.
A friend of mine has a citroen picasso (big family car they're nervous of parking) that has parking sensors, they said it's a bit unnerving watching your car park itself - it works the wheel, you do the pedals.. I wonder what happens though if one of the sensors is dirty or faulty and you're parking next to something expensive..

 

[Suzanne]

Just to add, yeah, I get my first proper driving lesson on the 16'th of this month! They specialise in teaching ones who want to drive a car without license ie automatic. I feel ok about this, because I was thrown in the deep end, as you all know, yesterday!!!

 

[Suzanne]

Way to go Suzanne! I was happy & excited for you when I saw this update! How are you feeling afterwards? I'm wondering if you felt good later, after it's all over ... for having expanded your boundaries & done something which took so much effort & courage? I think you should be so proud of yourself! I agree with all the other comments that driving is not easy, but like any difficult skill you will improve with practice. And there is nothing wrong with having your passenger be quiet - except for communicating real time driving tips - so as not to create further distractions.

Anyway, BRAVO!!!! This deserves a virtual celebration!

You know, Tia Maria, I did indeed feel good later and even better today and read my latest and you will find I get another chance!

 

[Grimbor]

You could also think about getting a driving simulator so that you can practice some of the techniques without having to be in a car

 

[piney13]

Well done !
Yes there is hope, I have broken approximately 60 bones, 7 concussions and several sew ups...
But I learned to ride a bike, kayak and to ride a motorcycle...swimming was the hardest, with a near drowning I accomplished this in my teens..so, yes you can lean..

 

[Spiller]

Well done !
Yes there is hope, I have broken approximately 60 bones, 7 concussions and several sew ups...
But I learned to ride a bike, kayak and to ride a motorcycle...swimming was the hardest, with a near drowning I accomplished this in my teens..so, yes you can lean..

..Er.. either you're a really slow learner, or you're into the more extreme stuff

 

[piney13]

I learn quickly, it is the applying what I learn is the hard part.
Most of this was many years ago when I was a teen and my 20's.

 

[Spiller]

Sounds like you enjoyed the learning process.. for the most part piney13

 

[Suzanne]

Well done !
Yes there is hope, I have broken approximately 60 bones, 7 concussions and several sew ups...
But I learned to ride a bike, kayak and to ride a motorcycle...swimming was the hardest, with a near drowning I accomplished this in my teens..so, yes you can lean..

Thank you so much for your imput and whoa are you the veritable sewing machine lol?

 

[Judge]

Funny to think of how I had a terrible time trying to learn to drive a manual transmission until I truly understood exactly what a clutch does.

Of course learning not to ride the clutch came a bit later...with time and a clutch. Or two.

 

[piney13]

Suzanne, you can learn, the question is what price are you willing to pay ? I was a bit to stubborn about my abilitys. I was at the time unaware of my AS, A high school guidance counselor made mention of Aspergers work to me in 1975...she was working to be a Pshy. In 1994 I was diagnosed as having a high probability of Aspergers. It was then I learned about why I was the way I was and that helped me stop breaking bones (for the most part) and hurting myself.
Your aware of who you are and what issue you have and to overcome them, that will go a long way to helping you , best of luck !!

 

[Suzanne]

Funny to think of how I had a terrible time trying to learn to drive a manual transmission until I truly understood exactly what a clutch does.

Of course learning not to ride the clutch came a bit later...with time and a clutch. Or two.

The kind of car I will be driving, the BRAKE acts as a clutch.

When I tried at 18, I could not get my head around,when to change gear. Sadly, if I had stayed with it, I probably would be a driver today, but I gave up too quickly.

I had to re read your "joke", until I recalled to mind, the expression: riding the clutch and then, understood: a clutch or two lol

 

[Suzanne]

Suzanne, you can learn, the question is what price are you willing to pay ? I was a bit to stubborn about my abilitys. I was at the time unaware of my AS, A high school guidance counselor made mention of Aspergers work to me in 1975...she was working to be a Pshy. In 1994 I was diagnosed as having a high probability of Aspergers. It was then I learned about why I was the way I was and that helped me stop breaking bones (for the most part) and hurting myself.
Your aware of who you are and what issue you have and to overcome them, that will go a long way to helping you , best of luck !!

Sort of the same with me, accept for body parts . I did not know I was an aspie, when I first tried to drive at 18. So, the first hurdle seemed to shout out: driving is not your forte and yet, the very few times, I have done a bit of practice, it feels natural.

My work ons are: speed. I have an awful tendency in going fast.

Regulating the excellerater. Learning to not be so heavy footed.

Not panicking when a car indicates.

I seem to be ok with indicating, once I caught on the left and right and actually, really easy to use. I also found that my right mirror helps to know the distance between the car and curb.

I want to learn how to start moving the car smoothly.

Wow, have this burning desire to get in a car and practice lol. So must be a good sign hehehe

 

[Datura]

This is a bit off topic, but does it bother anybody else that cars have asymmetrical seating? I often wonder why they didn't put the driver's seat in the middle. There is a lot of vehicle off to the driver's side, and having the same amount on both sides would make it easier to judge where the vehicle is, in my opinion.

 

[Suzanne]

This is a bit off topic, but does it bother anybody else that cars have asymmetrical seating? I often wonder why they didn't put the driver's seat in the middle. There is a lot of vehicle off to the driver's side, and having the same amount on both sides would make it easier to judge where the vehicle is, in my opinion.

Not off the topic, just a deviation within the topic I see what you mean: from having experienced it myself, there is a "blind spot" which is pretty dangerous. But perhaps if the driver's seat was in the middle, wouldn't that change the whole mirrors idea?

Because the way it stands now is that, the left mirror, you get to see the car a short distance away and when it overtakes you. The right mirror is to see how far you are from the curb and the wing mirror is to see long distance. Of course, please correct me if I am mistaken, but this is what I gathered.

If the drivers seat was in the middle, then the left mirror would be obsolete and have to transferred to the middle, but I have a feeling would be impractical and then, what about the seating? There would then be two passenger's seats and all costs money.

I actually think it is more practical for the driver to be to the left or right.

I think they should evaluate the "blind spot" for that is highly dangerous, as cars can sneak up on you.

 

[Datura]

I suppose the seat position isn't a major gripe for me. If I were one of the innovators in the early days of automotive production though, I would push for a symmetrical design. I am sure if it were the standard and someone were to suggest the driver sit off to the side people would find the idea very strange and awkward.

 

[Spiller]

This is a bit off topic, but does it bother anybody else that cars have asymmetrical seating? I often wonder why they didn't put the driver's seat in the middle. There is a lot of vehicle off to the driver's side, and having the same amount on both sides would make it easier to judge where the vehicle is, in my opinion.

I understand that the driving position is towards the middle of the road so it's possible to see oncoming hazards around the vehicle in front sooner - try driving a left-hand drive car in the UK, or a right-hand drive in Europe or the US.. because your position is near the curb it's harder to see anything.
Central seating is fine - it works with bikes.. but where do you put the rear-view mirror?
I always wondered why the steering wheels are at the front when the car is so much more manoeuverable in reverse - try parallel-parking in a tight space forwards and backwards, it's only possible in reverse.

 

[Judge]

The kind of car I will be driving, the BRAKE acts as a clutch.

When I tried at 18, I could not get my head around,when to change gear. Sadly, if I had stayed with it, I probably would be a driver today, but I gave up too quickly.

I had to re read your "joke", until I recalled to mind, the expression: riding the clutch and then, understood: a clutch or two lol

My father was an engineer. He first tried to teach me to drive on a manual transmission, but never bothered to truly explain to me what a clutch was, and how it works. (Go figure.) Ultimately he lost his patience trying to teach me...and my mother stepped up to finish the job.

Yeah, if you ride the clutch, you can wear it out very fast. But after paying for a new clutch, it helps as incentive not to do it any more!

Yet fewer and fewer people drive manual transmission cars in this country. To date, I've never owned an automatic. Presently drive a six-forward speed sports car:

 

[tachyon]

I suppose the seat position isn't a major gripe for me. If I were one of the innovators in the early days of automotive production though, I would push for a symmetrical design. I am sure if it were the standard and someone were to suggest the driver sit off to the side people would find the idea very strange and awkward.

Yep - put the driver in the middle, discard two of the wheels, the doors & the windscreen & you have my preferred vehicle