To really hate cars?

[toptramp]

Ok I can see why some people like their vehicles as they are convenient. Some cars are quite cute such as the mini cooper and beetle BUT generally imo they are dangerous, expensive, smelly, lazy-making killing machines and penis extensions that are killing the planet.
I cannot read the recent coverage of the motorway crash that recently occured. Such disastours are rare but I just can't believe that people are so into them when they are so dangerous and so bad for the planet. I wince every time my dd goes near a road.
I am really pissed off that the cuts have affected the local bus service and I live in a rural place so many non-drivers are suffering.
I actually find driving quite good fun give or take the odd panic attack attack! I am currently learning to drive (still) I have found it an expensive, drawn-out process. I started at uni when I preferred to spend my cash on going out, travel and new clothes than driving.
It is only now I have a dd and I am in the country that I have finally put in for my test. I just can't get excited about the prospect of owning a vehicle.
I am glad that they are there for those who love them but if I didn't feel so stupid and inept for not driving I wouldn't bother.

typos!

I also used to be a road protestor and regularly visited local beauty spots that were about to get tarmaced over. Sadly car culture encourages tarmac rather than lush, green meadows.

What gets me is that smoking is so socially unacceptable, yet everyone merrily puts up with cars belching out lethal fumes. Car pollution kills - you can actually measure the increased death rates near busy roads (especially diesel vehicles - all those particulates). Thousands of deaths every year, and that's even before you get to crashes.

I was hit by a car that was just pulling out and it did real damage. Was scary to see how far a car that is barely moving can throw you. (Driver's fault, not mine, btw, I was on the kerb waiting to cross, he was too busy looking for a gap in the traffic to watch his ruddy steering.)

Well that's it isn't it? I totally understand that they are necessary and essential even but it dosn't mean I have to like them.
I walk to work myself. Not many people work in the place that they live anymore though. One incentive I have for learning to drive is that when it is pissing it down I can see why a car is warm and dry and that is one bonus.

We are so relaiant on cars in our culture. " But how do we get to work?" is a standard reply. Er bikes, buses, walking or alternatively buy a mule!

I see your point but for me life would be very difficult without a car.

Having a suitable car has meant we have a world of opportunity. We can travel to work, go out for days as a family, visit relatives and friends.

We still walk places when possible but having access to a car means we aren't restricted by public transport or geographical distance.

Why do you have a problem with an inanimate object?

The problem is the person driving them.

Goldie Looking Chain put it best: Guns (cars) don't kill people, rappers do.

I do agree that good drivers are safe (I am not a good driver yet) however the driver can do little about the fumes being belched out.
I do realise that most families need a car but I just can't get excited. Mabe I will feel differently if I got one.

I remember Goldie looking chain.

Im ambivalent. I HATE our crap car. Its uncomfortable, unreliable, and doesn't feel particularly safe. Driving it is almost painful. Its kaput at the minute and DP thinks I ought to but a replacement. I'm reluctant to as I don't want to spend a wedge on a car, and at the minute its only 1 day every fortnight that there's a clash and we need two cars.

Conversely, I LOVE our good car. Beyond the point of reason. Its refined, comfortable, stealthy, practical, understated, sleek, safe, I could go on. Driving it is a dream. But then it did cost 10x more than Crap Car.

buy*

The driver can do an awful lot about the fumes, toptramp, by keeping their car well maintained and choosing more eco-friendly models, for example.

I love my car, and get immense pleasure from driving it. I drive at a sensible speed (although I do love being legitimately allowed to do 100 on the bypass) and keep my car in good working order - clean carbs, healthy exhaust blah blah blah.

It's not the car's fault it's driven, or been invented, or manufactured. People did that.

I'm not criticising drivers; I'm going to be one eventually. I would like to read some research on modern car emmissions (what fun!) to see how clean they really are. It's just the whole oil thing though too and the wider implications although to be fair oil is used for heating etc which I wouldn't be without!

Thanks purple! That's cheered me up!

here

My car is yellow. Therefore it is awesome.

Hurrah for logical and deep argument!

YANBU. I did some driving lessons almost half a lifetime ago and rather unwisely once wondered out loud when I was going to make use of the skill as I lived in central Bristol at this time. My driving instructor said: "Well you won't always live in a place like this, you know!" At that moment I made up my mind to never live anywhere where I would have to be car-dependent, a decision that has made my life much easier over the years. I junked the expensive driving lessons and started doing Reclaim the Streets not long afterwards - wish I had had the balls to become a road protestor, OP!

'I remember Goldie looking chain.'

I try to forget them.

I like cars. They help us move around the planet.
A bus is just a big car.

I hate driving and gave up after a few lessons and a failled test at age 17. But I live in a city. I would never live in the country as a non driver. Impossible to get around. Hate motorways too. Luckily my dh is a good driver!!