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I hate driving.

TheAppleCore

TheAppleCore

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Joined
Jul 14, 2007
Messages
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It seems like a crime to put my tender and fragile body in a giant hunk of steel hurtling across the surface of the earth at high speeds, while belching toxic gases that eat away at our ozone layer.

Seriously, everything about driving sucks. I hate the idea, I hate the experience of driving itself, rude and impatient drivers, the fact that I have to stare at endless stretches of what once was the natural world, paved over by atrocious black goo. It's hard to run out of ways to criticize DRIVING.

My parents, and culture in general, put pressure on me to drive. I am young and naive, so indulge my curiosity. Can I in some reasonable way avoid this wickedness? How many of you guys share the same sentiments?
 
TheAppleCore said:
It seems like a crime to put my tender and fragile body in a giant hunk of steel hurtling across the surface of the earth at high speeds, while belching toxic gases that eat away at our ozone layer.
Click to expand...

There are no chemicals from a car exhaust that eat away the ozone layer (yes I just wanted to make this point).
 
Hm. OK. Then I suppose I'll criticize car exhaust for making the air stink, and creating a smog that destroys the natural beauty of the earth.
 
i love driving. it can be a lot of fun.

if you dont like driving ride a motorbike, ride a pushbike, walk, get public transport.... etc. invent a teleporter
 
I am unable to drive and there is a really easy way to get around the "necessity" of a car. The Bus. Also, my legs and feet. If I'm desperate I bum a ride from a friend who can drive. :D
 
every time i get into my car i think that i'm playing Mario Kart.. OOO Question Mark box!! :D
banana peel -.-
 
TheAppleCore said:
It seems like a crime to put my tender and fragile body in a giant hunk of steel hurtling across the surface of the earth at high speeds, while belching toxic gases that eat away at our ozone layer.

Seriously, everything about driving sucks. I hate the idea, I hate the experience of driving itself, rude and impatient drivers, the fact that I have to stare at endless stretches of what once was the natural world, paved over by atrocious black goo. It's hard to run out of ways to criticize DRIVING.

My parents, and culture in general, put pressure on me to drive. I am young and naive, so indulge my curiosity. Can I in some reasonable way avoid this wickedness? How many of you guys share the same sentiments?
Click to expand...

I do. It terrifies me. I am not responsible enough to take control of so many other lives. I also drink a lot, so it's just easier for me not to bother. I have a bicycle, and used to have a skateboard and longboard. I lived close to were I worked. College IDs get you great discounts on public transportation. I know how to drive in case of emergencies (I think it's important to know how to drive, even if you don't. ) but I staunchly avoid driving at all costs. I also have a boyfriend who drives/has a car, and he puts up with driving me places if I can't get there on my own.
 
i felt the same way and didn't get my license till my thirties, but i could get away with it by moving to within walking distance to work. this all changed when i got my bmw. i still walk to work, but now driving is as much a pleasure as riding a motorcycle was when i had one of those.
 
I'm in the opposite boat to most people in this thread: I actually *want* to drive, but have always been in a near-panic attack state the few times I have. I am determined to conquer it, though. Societal pressure, sure, but a car to me is not just for going anywhere--I have no problem, say, riding the bus to work--but the option of going places otherwise cut off to me. I'm not going to visit Sunset Crater or Voyageurs National Park in a Greyhound or hitchhiking, and more than one road trip with friend-drivers less bold than I (and believe me when I state that's saying something) have left a bad taste in my mouth. I can almost convince myself I'm Mad Max until I step outside and see the goddamned thing in the driveway, lurking like Calvin's bicycle...

Yes, it will take some time.
 
I really do not like driving. For all the above mentioned reasons and because of a slight lack of depth perception. Sometimes it is tough for me to tell exactly how far away something is, and this can be troublesome while driving at speeds higher than 30 MPH. Thankfully it is only really bothersome at night. I still choose to bike if it's under ten miles to my destination though.
 
if i lived somewhere that had decent bike lanes/public transport, i would happily give up my car and use something like zipcar when i need a car. unfortunately, i live in a sprawling metropolis and need a car for work.

but most major metropolitan areas have groups of people dedicated to using bicycles. try looking to see if you city has a bicycle co-op or volunteer group that can offer you suggestions on alternative transportation options.
 
Add me to the list of those whose lives somewhat necessitate driving but dislike to so do.

I have an awesome little 1995 Toyota that I picked up at an excellent price. There is a bus stop near to both the places I call home, but it is unreliable, and in one place, it does not run on weekends or late evenings. I received my learner's permit at age 15. I spent many years living in a major city where it would have cost me ~$350 US per month to even garage my car, and there's excellent public transportation, so I didn't own a car. I used a carshare service, borrowed a vehicle from someone (with permission, sillies ;)) or bummed a ride from a friend.

I take public transportation or walk when possible.

Just as with you, TheAppleCore, I received pressure from my family to just "shut up and drive" recently. The result was a severe panic attack. I am under treatment for that; my father was backseat-driving the entire way (30 miles, to an appointment with my psychiatrist of all things :/) and it made me quite nervous.

I remain optimistic that a day will arrive when I again enjoy driving. Despite my fears and the fact that I am not good with directions in the car (hence why a GPS is a necessity for me!), I'd like to drive without that paralytic fear. I am sound to drive and in 15 years of having my full license, I have not had an at-fault accident. I maintain full coverage on my little car.

Ironically, I was able to beat my fear of flying through studying aviation and have always taken a liking to the water... so perhaps I should get my pilot's license and boating license in addition to a couple more sturdy pairs of shoes. I love to walk. :)

I'm still driving :) Carrying on, indeed. TheAppleCore, I'd advise taking a defensive driving course from an experienced instructor.

Hope this is helpful.
 
I love driving except when there's traffic. There's something really relaxing about driving in the countryside, and I love going on road trips.

But as far as driving around town to do stuff I do agree with you, it is very annoying. I prefer to walk, ride bike, or bus it if I have the option.
 
In the last 2 places I've lived, Portland and San Francisco, unless you are a delivery truck driver, there is no need to drive. Due to traffic and lights and lack of short cuts, most in-town trips under 5 miles are faster by bicycle. 5 - 10 miles take about the same amount of time by bike as they do by car. I haven't driven in 10 years for several other reasons as well. Oil wars. Bad for the environment -- green house gases, etc. Other ethical and political reasons. Who profits every time you buy gas? How rich are the big oil companies? How about the Oil Arabs who fund Islamo-fascist groups? Not only that, but my job PAYS me to ride a bike to and from work every day (15 miles).
Rip up the asphalt and plant green ways and these cities will be better places.
 
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You won't regret it. :D
 
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