First time my brother took our mother’s car out: “I’m taking the car out.” Literally 2 minutes later he comes back: “I had a car accident up the street.”
Another guy who didn’t have the right of way crashed into him. Nobody was hurt but the car was totalled. He was super sorry and apologised profusely to my parents.
They were glad. The car was old and the money they got from the insurance was much more than they would ever have gotten from selling the car.
that’s why i’m terrified of driving, even if you’re the perfect driver there will always be some asshole on the phone who misses a sign and just slams into you at full speed. This thought paralyses me to the point where driving is close to impossible to me, the anxiety is just too strong
You’d be surprised how much defensive driving (which you should be taught by a good instructor) alleviates a big portion of this problem. I was lucky my Dad made it clear to me early on, before I could drive, that people make mistakes constantly, but predictably so. Was the other poster’s brother to blame? No, but is it predictable that someone would ignore a right of way? Yes, but you need experience to anticipate that, which his brother didn’t have.
Upvoted because I think this is a common perspective. My comment below is for anyone else out there who may feel the same way as you do.
Being a passenger may cause less anxiety, but if safety is your biggest concern, driving yourself is the safest option to get around currently (besides bus/train transport or walking).
Driving is all about strategy. I’ll be transparent and say that it is not a “safe” activity, but I’ll also say that riding in a car driven by someone else is likely less safe than educating yourself on good driving strategy and taking your safety (and the safety of your passengers) into your own hands.
Driving defensively and using good vehicular communication will put you as a driver above 9/10s of the other drivers out there. That 1/10th leftover could hit you as a driver or passenger, but as a passenger, you have no recourse when you see them coming.
First time my brother took our mother’s car out: “I’m taking the car out.” Literally 2 minutes later he comes back: “I had a car accident up the street.”
Another guy who didn’t have the right of way crashed into him. Nobody was hurt but the car was totalled. He was super sorry and apologised profusely to my parents.
They were glad. The car was old and the money they got from the insurance was much more than they would ever have gotten from selling the car.
The guy would still avoid them years later.
that’s why i’m terrified of driving, even if you’re the perfect driver there will always be some asshole on the phone who misses a sign and just slams into you at full speed. This thought paralyses me to the point where driving is close to impossible to me, the anxiety is just too strong
If it makes you feel any better some asshole behind the wheel can fuck up your life forever if you’re a passenger or pedestrian too.
You’d be surprised how much defensive driving (which you should be taught by a good instructor) alleviates a big portion of this problem. I was lucky my Dad made it clear to me early on, before I could drive, that people make mistakes constantly, but predictably so. Was the other poster’s brother to blame? No, but is it predictable that someone would ignore a right of way? Yes, but you need experience to anticipate that, which his brother didn’t have.
Upvoted because I think this is a common perspective. My comment below is for anyone else out there who may feel the same way as you do.
Being a passenger may cause less anxiety, but if safety is your biggest concern, driving yourself is the safest option to get around currently (besides bus/train transport or walking).
Driving is all about strategy. I’ll be transparent and say that it is not a “safe” activity, but I’ll also say that riding in a car driven by someone else is likely less safe than educating yourself on good driving strategy and taking your safety (and the safety of your passengers) into your own hands.
Driving defensively and using good vehicular communication will put you as a driver above 9/10s of the other drivers out there. That 1/10th leftover could hit you as a driver or passenger, but as a passenger, you have no recourse when you see them coming.
https://youtu.be/K11S1S4C1qA?feature=shared
I’m glad he learnt to avoid your relatives since.