to find it a little bit pathetic when grown women say they won't drive long distances

[emkana]

of more than 30 (!) miles because they are scared of the driving and navigating.

Is it really that hard, am I missing something here?

[Jasonthunderpants]

shocking

[nymphadora]

I know loads of people who won't drive on the motorways/ bigger A roads but quite happily drive through the narrow country lanes which are much more difficult due to lorries/ tractors/ animals etc

[HecateQueenOfWitches]

It is a bit odd.

I do wonder why it is that more women than men are like this. I have never come across a man who is afraid of driving - through a city, on a motorway, at night....

Yet I know quite a few women who restrict themselves so much.

I can't explain it.

[sanfairyann]

my uncle won't drive on motorways or long distances. don't think it's just a woman thing.
i don't like driving into cities I don't know cos I'm crap at navigating and get lost when I turn around.

[MmeLindt]

Often it is lack of practice as the men automatically get in the driving seat when they go on long trips with their family.

[MogTheForgetfulCat]

Blimey.
Maybe they're the same ones who drive a small Renault Clio as if it were a Hummer or similar tank-sized vehicle...

[SparklyJules]

My friend has been driving for 8 years and has never driven on a motorway!

My mother seems to think that any long distance driving is solely for my father to do and don't even start me on MIL - she likes to be chauffeured everywhere.

[Alouiseg]

I met one once, her dh asked me to bring the dc home as she "doesn't like to drive". Tough shit! I don't like other peoples dc cluttering up my car!

[Alambil]

wow really? I've never met a woman who won't drive far...

I had to do a 60 mile round trip to get to uni so got used to big roads rapidly! I much prefer country roads for leisurely drives/avoiding peak traffic but motorways are so much more convenient at the right times, unless it's the M25 in which case there's rarely a right time!

[curlymama]

YANBU. These silly women are the ones tat make the rest of us look incapable. They shouldn't have driving licences if they can't drive.

[Alouiseg]

Hate it when women play the "little woman" card, so manipulative, gives all women a pathetic name.

[muggglewump]

My Aunt won't, yet she has travelled all over the world on her own and with my three cousins when they were young.

[SandStorm]

What I hate is the people (men and women although mostly women IME) who drive in normal every day life but won't do the long trips. I had a friend who drove over an hour to work every day but when they came to see us she would always make her husband drive.

And then to cap it all she wouldn't even have one glass of wine at lunch, made him drink water when he would have loved to have a beer or two with my OH and then made him drive home! Pissed me off no end.

But I also hate those women who drive to the station of an evening to pick up hubby and then get out of the driver's seat so he can drive home!!! What's that all about? If you want a lift home, you sit where you're told! If you want to drive, take the car and pay the carpark fees in the first place!

[fluffles]

i have had a bit of a driving phobia (after a big crash) and mostly kept it secret but would admit so some friends that i hated driving - i had to force myself into the driving seat with racing heart and sweating palms and was utterly drained afterwards.

i hope those i did confess to weren't as mean about me behind my back as you lot are being

i am sure it has affected some men too but they would probably be even more secretive about it as it's considered 'unmasculine' for a man not to love driving.

[Minxie1977]

YANBU to think it's a bit pathetic. My friend has never driven more than 20 miles in 20 years. When I asked why, she just said she wouldn't know how!?! Surely the same way!?! Kinda glad she doesn't, thinking about it!

[fluffles]

oh, and i have almost got over the phobia (except country roads at night - the accident was when somebody drove into me head-on with full beams on a tiny country road) but i am still far less experienced driver than OH who drives for work so if i drive we go slower, more carefully and take more breaks.. he gets impatient so he drives.

[Kathyjelly]

It's not just women. My BIL, a grown man in his forties won't drive more than about 20 miles for no reason that I can see.

[strawberrycake]

Um, I somehow passed my test despite being absolutely shit at driving. Really was shocked he passed me. I never improved easier, plus my husband always takes the driving seat which means as we drive to work together I probably drive once every 3/4 months a short distance as I just don't have the need. I'm secretely terrified of driving as I have a complete mental block as far as cars are concerned. I shouldn't have a licence but because I do I get pressed into driving occasionally and am a complete wet blanket when I do. IT doesn't help everyone else thinks I'm hopeless too!

Weirdly though I love my motorbike and have picked up speeding tickets on it and will go anywhere on it...

[prettypurpledaisy]

I have been driving for 15 years but am very nervous of motorways, I am not a silly woman but I find driving really scary, I have had panic attacks when driving and it pisses me off when people criticise me and judge me. I am as tough as old boots just not when driving.

[charley24]

Wow, I was going to post my driving phobias but don't think I will bother.

Some of us can't drive long distances or are nervous drivers. I passed a driving test, that doesn't mean I have the confidence to do long drives alone.

Bully for all of you who can get in the car and drive anywhere, for some of us it's very very different.

I drive to work, to the shops, to the in-laws but my husband drives the majority of the time because he has more confidence and also more experience.

[undercovamutha]

YANBU.

I know women who have told me they won't do some (or all) of the following:

Drive anywhere they've never been before.
Drive in the rain.
Put petrol in their car.
Go in a car wash.
Drive in the dark.
Drive if their DH is in the car.
Drive on the motorway/dual carriageway.

Like you say, these are ADULTS.

[FrameyMcFrame]

what a mean spirited thread!

I hate driving long distances because I have had a panic attack on a motorway and there was no way out of the situation.

It's not pathetic, you have no idea what reasons other people have for the way they behave.

[BelleDameSansMerci]

fluffles I think your reason for not driving is pretty understandable. I had a bad accident in the snow this year and it's knocked my confidence generally although, oddly, not for driving in non-icy conditions.

I do find it slightly baffling that people (not just women) are hesitant about driving either long distances or on motorways (where it's easier anyway) but, really, it's best if people only drive where they feel comfortable.

I used to drive approx 30,000 miles per year (pre-child, in old job) and you see some very frightening things out there...

[FrameyMcFrame]

'silly women'
ffs, thats sisterhood for ya