WWYD...... friends driving is crap/dangerous.

[Letsnotusemyname]

So a few months ago we (DW, me, friend and his DW) went out for a walk.

We drove there, a little un-nerving as I'm not keen on tailgating cars at 70 mph or sudden lane changes. To be honest I was frightened on the way there. Not aggressive driving but more incompetent.

Nice walk. But then we had to come back........ One or two emergency brakings in urban traffic and the same tailgating, sudden changes etc.

Puzzled, when home, I looked up the spec of the car - that model has automatic/emergency brakes. It decides that you are too close/ driving too fast behind another car and IT puts its brakes on for you because the driver hasn’t. He doesn't know his car has these - but doesn't seen inquisitive as to why the brakes went on seemingly by themselves.

Decided I didn’t want to go out in a car with him driving again.

We are going out on Thursday for a walk in the Chilterns. I offered to drive but was told it was no trouble for him to pick us up on the way to our walk. “But its our turn” - “ It’s no trouble and we don't need to take turns”

I can’t quite say you’re a crap driver /slow down / drop back a bit etc but I’d like to survive the week!

WWYD? (and not risk friendship)

Thanks

Say you’re running an errand before/ after and will meet them there?

YANBU. I would just say you prefer to drive yourself and he's welcome to a lift if he wants one.

Never ever put yourself in a dangerous pos6kust because you're too polite! Just tell him his driving scares you. If he's a twat he'll take offence. If he's a friend, he'll ask why and try and improve his driving.

dangerous position

I can’t quite say you’re a crap driver /slow down / drop back a bit etc but I’d like to survive the week!

You absolutely can. I have said to someone before that as much as I liked them I would not them drive me anywhere again as I would like to remain in one piece and not be terrified whilst getting there.

I am a rubbish passenger, still get car sickness in my 40s, I have a friend who is 'speed up then brake ' type of driver rather than driving more smoothly ( if you see what I mean) . If you want to be tactful can you say you get travel sick easily and would rather drive