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Original poster

Do you enjoy driving?

113 replies

TheChronicalTales · 11/02/2022 13:50

My friend recently passed her test and is a nervous driver. She asked me at what point I started to enjoy it and come to think about it… I don’t.

I don’t mind driving to Tesco or other shortish (under an hour) routes that I am familiar with but apart from that I don’t enjoy it and find it a panic. Obviously I do it because I have to and being able to drive was almost a necessity due to where I live but I much prefer my DH driving.

So, do you enjoy driving? Am I just odd?

OP posts:
SmellyWellyWoo · 11/02/2022 17:05

I like cruising along a quiet motorway and sometimes get an adrenaline rush when merging onto motorways from speeding up. I hate shitty small busy roads though with loads of pedestrians and parked cards

Marchingredsoldiers · 11/02/2022 17:07

In general love it (although it does depend on the city).

LondonQueen · 11/02/2022 17:11

I enjoy driving a fast car but if there's any traffic at all it ruins it for me.

LadyFlumpalot · 11/02/2022 17:13

Yes. I love driving and I love my car. I regularly go to car shows and the highlight of last year was getting to park outside the pits in Silverstone at Japfest with thousands of other beautiful motors. I've known that I loved cars since I was but a wee dot and would pick up the free AutoTrader magazine at the supermarket and spend my evening picking out my dream garage.

Bloodybridget · 11/02/2022 17:19

I often like it and am very glad I learned (not until my 30s so have been driving c. 35 years now), I live in inner London and can manage city driving very well, but I really dislike crowded motorways now, and bad weather on them when you can hardly see for spray. Country roads are lovely when not too tiny . . I'm possibly going to be doing the whole way home from northern Lakes tomorrow afternoon and I'm not looking forward to that.

sanityisamyth · 11/02/2022 17:37

I love it and always have done. I was working with someone last week and had to go in her car. She was terrified and such a bad driver because of it. Nearly caused two accidents but totally unaware. If people don't enjoy it they shouldn't be on the road if they are a danger to others.

Comedycook · 11/02/2022 17:40

I love it

headintheproverbial · 11/02/2022 17:57

Hate traffic, love driving. Love the feeling of freedom it gives. Love the idea that if needed I can drive away, drive towards something, escape, rescue.

Have never understood nervous drivers but each to their own!

SuitcaseOfWhine · 11/02/2022 17:59

I wish I was like the posters on here who love driving, but I don't. I learnt to drive in my thirties and passed the tests first time and enjoyed the lessons, but it all went to bollocks when I passed. I'm anxious and will really beat myself up over small mistakes though. It's my personality unfortunately. I've had treatment for driving phobia that didn't work much, but getting in an auto did help. It's utterly crazy how it's panned out as my experience of learning and passing the tests was very positive. I plan o get my kids on the road as soon as they are old enough, as I feel if I learnt when I was younger I would have been much better.

I don't drive much at all as I WFH and think if it wasn't for the pandemic I would most likely be over it now. I do get to town, supermarket and can take my kids to a few interesting local places, but hate fast roads and don't drive on motorways. As a pp has written, I don't have much time for going for drives to get over my fear and the pandemic hasn't helped too, so it hasn't got much better. As my kids are a bit older and it is lighter in the evenings hopefully I will have time to tackle my fear this year.

Grenlei · 11/02/2022 18:04

I passed my test late (in my 40s). At first I loved the fact I could drive to the supermarket after 20 years of carrying my shopping like a packhorse. But I had a small and pretty useless car, and as even with my foot on the floor it could only get up to 65mph downhill, I was reluctant to drive it on motorways or even busy dual carriageways. So I avoided those and was very much a local driver.

A few years later I had a family emergency which necessitated me doing a 200 mile journey. I'd never driven more than 30 miles. I did it, 400 miles in a day (albeit in a family member's newish car, not my old heap) and although I was absolutely exhausted after, I realised there was nothing to motorway driving, in the right car anyway.

I have a better car now and do those journeys once a month on average. Being in my car, music on...just wonderful. Last time I had to do 4 hours in torrential rain which was less fun, but overall my only regret is I didn't start driving sooner.

SuitcaseOfWhine · 11/02/2022 18:08

I think I need to take some inspiration from you Grenlei. The worst thing is I know I must be an ok driver to pass first time on an average amount of lessons, but my confidence is letting me down. Agree that having an old crappy car doesn't help. My first one stalled easily (partner also drove it and had the same) which really set me back.

FAQs · 11/02/2022 18:09

Love it from the first time I drove a car. Sometimes just jump in the car for a drive.

FAQs · 11/02/2022 18:11

I’ve also driven round Europe and some states in USA.

Grenlei · 11/02/2022 18:18

Ah @SuitcaseOfWhine the car really is key. I never thought I could do motorways and I was actually happy just being able to drive at first, but mastering motorways just gives you so many more options. It took me 3 years - plus the 20 odd years that I procrastinated about learning to drive in the first place.

But if you're not confident in your car, that will make you more anxious...then you'll drive worse, and it'll be a vicious circle. My current car isn't fancy and is 10+ years old but it's a mid size family car (my adult DC refuse to drive it as it's a typical 'mum' car apparently and not cool) and has no problem on motorways. The only downside is I didn't notice til after I'd bought it that it doesn't have cruise control. That's on the list for my next car!

Topseyt · 11/02/2022 18:19

@Foxyloxy1plus1

The older I am, the less I enjoy it and the more I stick to local and familiar routes.
Me too.

I'm quite happy pootling about locally to where I live, and on routes I know well. I prefer to take the train when I need to make a longer journey. Much more relaxing and lets me sit and read my book.

Don't even get me started on driving at night. I don't think I have the best of night vision and I've always strugged with the glare from other cars' headlights. Particularly oncoming ones. Not sure I'll ever drive at night much again.

I do like having my own car because it does give me the freedom to go out and about locally and that is all I really want or care about (we live quite rurally, so not many buses).

G123454321 · 11/02/2022 18:20

Absolutely hate it with a passion. Passed my test first time 6 years ago and never drive.
I panic, hyperventilate and make mistakes.
I’d rather jump out of a plane than get behind the wheel.

nannybeach · 11/02/2022 18:22

Hate it.so many morons on the roads
You come out of our drive,to the junction at the end of the road, only a few yards,99.9 people turn right into here on the wrong side of the road. Went shopping yesterday, only a couple of miles,5 different people just walked out in front of us.

ivykaty44 · 11/02/2022 18:26

I have no issue with driving, have driven in the U.K., through to Portugal and Italy and drive up and down the M6&5

But there are far better modes of transportation I do actually enjoy

A car is such a bind in many ways, parking, other traffic etc so I don’t find it enjoyable

Dogmum40 · 11/02/2022 18:26

I think I have a love hate relationship with driving! I love the independence and freedom but dislike everything about the road network from other drivers to traffic and road works! I will and do drive all over the country but I have serious internal road rage! I mutter and whinge to myself so much about everything when I’m driving Grin

ivykaty44 · 11/02/2022 18:29

I would also add the worst drivers I ever came across were in Australia, they seemed to be terrible IMO I’d much rather drive in France round Paris than Australia 😳

llansannan21 · 11/02/2022 18:31

I only ever have a hire car on holiday sometimes, and no I don't. Largely because of the bad planning of roadworks and the people who in my opinion should never ever be allowed behind the wheel.

willowtree66 · 11/02/2022 18:32

I drive emergency vehicles for a living, it's the best part of the job!!

gettingolderandgrumpy · 11/02/2022 18:33

Yeah I quite enjoy it , I miss it when I don’t drive like when I was wfh . I like the independence though and I’m quite a confident driver . I do get a little anxiety on occasion about driving somewhere new but I tell myself it will be fine and it is what’s the worse that can happen you take wrong turn . When I have drove somewhere completely new I feel pleased as that’s the point of driving and why I spent all that time and money learning. No way would I spend all that time and money to pass to barely drive . I always say confidence is with experience so more you drive the more confident you are . I’m sorry but those who are very nervous driving you aren’t ready for your test and should just keep up with the practice.

Blossomtoes · 11/02/2022 18:35

Love it. Especially on a sunny summer day.

LemonDrizzles · 11/02/2022 18:42

Since I was 5. Every arcade opportunity I wasted most money on those rac car race games with fake gears and steering wheels