To wonder why people think everyone should drive

[Sunnydays999]

Tried several times in my 20s .My dyslexia means I find some aspects hard . I also have anxiety and driving made this worse .
My husband drives . He has always driven on holidays and days out .
It surprises me on here and in real life how shocked people are that I don’t drive . I just wondered why ?

It’s just a useful life skill, a bit like being able to tie your shoes laces or make food to eat.

I think it totally depends where you are. Round here (suburban Greater manchester) public transport is just shocking so you wouldn’t really get anywhere easily if you didn’t drive. Most households are two car families as two people need to get to (different) workplaces. In London it would be far more usual to not drive.

I think if you want to and are able then driving is a great and useful skill, and it can open doors.

If you have anxiety, and you find driving difficult etc then absolutely don't. This would put yourself and other road users at risk. I wouldn't be shocked if someone said they didn't drive due to anxiety.

It surprises me too. Seeing as so many people in their next breath bang on about the environment.

I can’t. Terrible coordination and concentration. I also literally struggle to tie my shoelaces.

It would be quite frankly irresponsible for me to go out and drive (if by some fluke I passed a driving test). There are enough bad drivers on the road without me adding to it

Like others have said, it’s a useful life skill and I find it odd that people don’t prioritise it but if you lived in central London I wouldn’t be so surprised.

I don't drive but I think so many people do that it's probably just surprising when people don't. It's nothing like making food as that is essential to live. No one has to drive, I manage just fine.

My Mum doesn’t drive and one of my best friends doesn’t drive (she’s has dyspraxia). Not a big deal at all.

Because it becomes a drain on other people. It's great for the person that doesn't drive, they get to chill out and be driven everywhere, they can drink on nights out too and without a licence you're also limiting employment options amongst many other things

Yes I’ve noticed on here that people just assume everyone’s drives, I’ve posted threads on here before and the comments have been like “just drive there” “just take the car” etc

You say your husband does all the driving. So clearly you find it useful .......

I have always thought it as a optional life skill. It’s never negatively affected me , so I don’t see the point . I can’t see what I would gain from it now .

I don’t know anyone that drives either and I’m a single parent so no driving partner so I don’t expect anyone to ferry me around

@Sbowiegirl

I can’t. Terrible coordination and concentration. I also literally struggle to tie my shoelaces.

It would be quite frankly irresponsible for me to go out and drive (if by some fluke I passed a driving test). There are enough bad drivers on the road without me adding to it

Are you dyspraxic Sbowiegirl? Struggling to tie shoe laces and poor coordination are pretty typical (my ds is dyspraxic)x

Personally I'm just always shocked at how people are willing to be so reliant on their partner.

I'm the driver in our house, DH doesnt drive due to severe (tbh, debilitating) anxiety around it. I understand but doesnt stop me from getting wound up about always being the one that has to drive, whether that's going to the shops, going on a UK holiday and driving cross country, picking up and dropping off etc. Public transport isnt great round here either. Not terrible but not great by any stretch.

He does other things that balance this out but it gets really bloody tiring and it wears thin.

The DVLA wouldn't be very happy if I did.

No issue at all with anyone who doesn’t drive, as long as they don’t constantly expect lifts etc (obviously excluding emergencies / short term issues). Adults need to sort their own transport out.

@evouk. It’s really not a drain on other people for most non drivers. I either walk or get the bus most places. DH drives, so if we go out as a family then he will drive.

It would be useful to drive, that I would say. But the risk of killing someone with my terrible driving is not something I could live with

@JayAlfredPrufrock yes it’s good for holidays etc but I catch the bus or get a taxi at other times.

I'd be fine to drive if there was no other cars on the road and no cars parked... I am a terrible judge of speed and distance... Therefore I choose not to drive as i would consider myself an accident waiting to happen...

I'm not shocked, I dont drive because every single time I get behind the wheel I feel like I could kill someone. I take that as a sign to just not do it.

Has not caused me any issues. (now 56)

I don't care about people not being able to drive as long as they don't expect me to do it for them. I learnt the hard way that non drivers can get very irate if you're not willing to drive 30 miles out of your way to take them somewhere (for free) and then let them drink whilst they are there whilst you nurse a glass of water. Never again.

@evouk

Because it becomes a drain on other people. It's great for the person that doesn't drive, they get to chill out and be driven everywhere, they can drink on nights out too and without a licence you're also limiting employment options amongst many other things

Don't be ridiculous. Not everyone is a drunken freeloader or wants to be a lorry driver.

When you live in the arse crack of nowhere like I do you need to be able to drive.

My DM doesn't drive and back in the 80s it dictated a lot of our lives growing up. My dad drove, but worked and worked away from home in the week. When they bought their house it had to be walking distance to local High school and primary school. It had to be walking distance to the city centre. Public transport in the area was woeful. Relying on taxis was a pain in the arse in pre-mobile phone and Uber days. The big shop happened once a week.

As soon as I could drive, I learned. It just gives you an independence and freedom. You don't need to worry about relying on someone else. Or having money for a taxi. If I want to do something, I just go. Granted, life is easier now with the Internet, online shopping etc. But I still remember how hard it was without a car.

It is a life skill. You have a husband that drives so clearly you enjoy the convenience that being able to drive affords you.