why don't people drive??? I am surprised at the number of mnetters who can't drive..why don't you?

[brimfull]

genuinely would like to know

1. Can't afford to
2. Don't see the point

Most people will say they can;t afford it.

ditto FAQ
occasionally it would be useful but not enough to outweigh all the costs

also I did have a few lessons and I really didn't enjoy it

to get to places with much less hassle
for emergencies

I had a few lessons a couple of years ago, didn't really enjoy it and tbh quite glad I didn't continue - even though I'd progressed far enough to be drivign on Dual Carriage roads LOL.

didn't really enjoy it?

is that because you were too nervous?

I often meet my friend in Morrisonss for coffee after we've done the school drop-offs, it's about 10 minutes walk from here, and she parks her car near my house.

I'll walk, she'll take her car. We generally arrive there at the same time.

no wasn't nervous, just couldn't help thinking there were better things I could have been doing with my time and money

I live in a city with (mostly) v good public transport. Cars are taking over the world and I don't feel the need to help this process. And I am sure I would be crap at driving if I tried.

Cant afford to.

I couldn't do the school run and work if I didn't drive. There is no way I could be on time using public transport.

I have a licence but choose not to drive, the main reasons being:

• there are too many idiots on the road nowadays
• life is stressful enough without having to get stressed about the aforementioned idiots
• there are too many cars on the road as it is, no need to further contribute to congestion or worsen air quality
• walking/cycling/using public transport everywhere keeps me cellulite free
• I save loads of money by not having a car.

We do have one car in our famly which DP drives everywhere so I like to think that I'm making up for his excessive use and balancing things out.

I have noticed that not driving is a bit of a pain since moving out of the city centre, but that just means I have to get more inventive with public transport and walk/cycle an extra km or 2.

I can drive
But i don't because XP took the car when i kicked him out (he can't drive )

My sister has kindly offered to buy me a car though(I wouldn't be able to afford one) and i am weighing up the odds ATM.

1. can't really afford my own car
2. can use my parents car when I need to! Only have to ask.

stupid, moi????

I had a provisional license before I had the children and was about to look into starting lessons (used to drive round the empty supermarket car-park before that!) but then my now dh and I were involved in a very serious accident. It was a dark, November night and basically we ploughed into the side of an articulated lorry that was attempting a u-turn on a small, unlit road Had to be cut out of the car, helicopter arrived etc so that kind of put me off!!! Fourteen years later and with two dc's I would love to be able to drive as I feel so trapped compared to my friends but finances don't allow. Maybe one day.....

1. Can't afford to. By the time you've paid out for the car, the MOT, the tax, the insurance, and parking charges you don't have enough money to go anywhere anyway.

1. Don't need to. I don't live out in the sticks so everything I need is either within walking distance or accessible via public transport.

1. Walking is the only real exercise I have time for.

I'd like to say that it's purely for environmental reasons but that would be a lie. That aspect is a bonus rather than a genuine reason why I don't drive.

mum2oj-what a bastard,did he sell it?

I have a driving licence.
But I haven't driven for more than 10 yrs.
I stopped driving when I was living in central Milan, it would have been impossible keeping a car there. I didn't drive even when we moved to the UK. So now, I lost my confidence, and I panic behind the wheel. Plus, I don't really need my car in my day to day life. When we were in the UK everything was at a distance of 5 mins walk. Now we are back in central Milan, there is no need of driving in town.

ggirl, no its just rotting on his grandads driveway, its the second car he has had and was supposed to learn to drive, the first one rotted away until it was finally scrapped (his mum had also paid for 2 years ins for him but he never used it)

sorry for my incorrect english

To add to Franca's reasons, anyone who'd want to drive, or even just park, in Milan needs their head examining.

Can't afford too. Its around £25-£30 per lesson here.

I don't need to drive. I walk. I cycle. I use public transport. My children are fit and healthy and believe, as I do, that excessive car use is damaging to the environment. My DH DOES drive but as little as possible - we would always choose to walk unless we were going further than two miles or so.
The next generation will be reaping the consequence of our addiction to personal car ownership.

I've lived in central London for nearly 10 years and never needed to drive - walk everywhere or get the bus/tube. I do have a driving licence but would be too scared to drive without a refresher course! If we do go anywhere long-distance, DH drives which is by far the best for all of us cos he is a terrible back-seat driver!