Do you dislike driving?
#51
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Why would I? I'm in no rush to get to the next red light faster. I'm not sure if maximizing the amount of time spent at red lights is a 'thing' or not, but it seems that most drivers go way out of their way to sit at as many red lights as possible. At least I can't think of any other reason for people to speed to the next red light. When I'm biking or walking, I constantly see people actively (and often aggressively) accelerating toward a red light. It's amazing that I can cruise down a road on my bike at 15-18 MPH and keep up with traffic that goes 25-35 (peak) MPH... Sure, they get to the light faster, but before it turns green, I've caught back up to them and then they outpace me to the next light and I catch up again while it's red, over and over.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
#52
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I'm afraid that's exactly the situation here in Spain, too.
Last edited by Ekdog; 10-31-13 at 04:50 PM.
#53
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Why would I? I'm in no rush to get to the next red light faster. I'm not sure if maximizing the amount of time spent at red lights is a 'thing' or not, but it seems that most drivers go way out of their way to sit at as many red lights as possible. At least I can't think of any other reason for people to speed to the next red light. When I'm biking or walking, I constantly see people actively (and often aggressively) accelerating toward a red light. It's amazing that I can cruise down a road on my bike at 15-18 MPH and keep up with traffic that goes 25-35 (peak) MPH... Sure, they get to the light faster, but before it turns green, I've caught back up to them and then they outpace me to the next light and I catch up again while it's red, over and over.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
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#54
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I like having a car for emergencies, camping with the kids, & lumber hauling. I prefer my bikes for ANYthing else. It just feels good, keeps me in shape... while having fun. I will always prefer bikes until my body can no longer pedal.
#55
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In the city, I loathe it. Outside the city, on a country highway headed for a big city, I can be on top of the world. Driving is fun, it's the stopping and other cars that ruin it.
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I still own my beat up old car, and I've found that I've come to really dislike driving. Maybe it's partly due to the condition of the car, but I think a big part is also that I hate the way I feel when I drive. My blood pressure seems to go up, I begin to lose my temper, and my patience decreases noticeably. It takes real effort to try to remain calm when my wife's in the car with me.
I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Experiences, please.
I'm sure I'm not alone in this. Experiences, please.
#57
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I can't really add anything unique to this thread, but I don't like driving at all anymore. I used to love road trips with a stack of tapes or CDs to listen to.
I'm lucky (?) to live in the desert so, aside from heat & wind, there are very few bad riding days. My spouse needs a vehicle and it really causes me stress when something is wrong with the car and all that entails getting it looked at & repaired. I'm a self-sufficient bike mechanic but cars $care me because they are made to be out of reach to the average home wrencher.
A friend recently asked why I enjoy getting around on bike so much. One thing I told him was that I was always going just as fast as I wanted to go. Never stuck behind anyone, and I can alter my route at any time. As soon as you get into a car, you're going to get stuck behind someone.
I'm lucky (?) to live in the desert so, aside from heat & wind, there are very few bad riding days. My spouse needs a vehicle and it really causes me stress when something is wrong with the car and all that entails getting it looked at & repaired. I'm a self-sufficient bike mechanic but cars $care me because they are made to be out of reach to the average home wrencher.
A friend recently asked why I enjoy getting around on bike so much. One thing I told him was that I was always going just as fast as I wanted to go. Never stuck behind anyone, and I can alter my route at any time. As soon as you get into a car, you're going to get stuck behind someone.
#58
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Car repair is certainly not rocket science and with the internet, anyone can repair their own cars and save thousands. Why pay someone $1500 to replace a clutch when the part is $100 and it will take you at most 2 afternoons on a weekend to do? All it is is unbolting stuff and bolting back on. Simple. Those 2 weekend afternoons would have cost me 3 weeks of working at my job to pay for had I taken it to the shop.
#59
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Ever wonder why we "drive" cars and "ride" bikes? Shouldn't we use the opposite words? Our bodies propel our bikes, so that's driving.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Why would I? I'm in no rush to get to the next red light faster. I'm not sure if maximizing the amount of time spent at red lights is a 'thing' or not, but it seems that most drivers go way out of their way to sit at as many red lights as possible. At least I can't think of any other reason for people to speed to the next red light. When I'm biking or walking, I constantly see people actively (and often aggressively) accelerating toward a red light. It's amazing that I can cruise down a road on my bike at 15-18 MPH and keep up with traffic that goes 25-35 (peak) MPH... Sure, they get to the light faster, but before it turns green, I've caught back up to them and then they outpace me to the next light and I catch up again while it's red, over and over.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
Sure, they're going '30 MPH', but since I'm sitting right next to them red light after red light it's quite apparent that their average speed is the EXACT same average speed as mine. Of course, they're destroying the Earth, destroying their health, and destroying their finances, but it seems that most people are quite happy to do so...because, you know, they're going 'faster'.
#63
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In any case, use of such stilted language in public forums does not help get them any positive consideration in the U.S.
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#65
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That isn't stress. what you've described is a phobia. You should share that with your doctor.
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As a psychologist, I'm going to have to say that you're both wrong. Based on the info we have here, let's just say he feels anxious and leave the diagnosis to a professional who has performed a thorough assessment. And I'm not saying that he needs to see or should see a professional!
Or... are you saying this is something that is best left undetermined? The OP is obviously uncomfortable. Whether a person deals with their fears in conventional ways... or with medical intervention... ether way fear is fear.
Last edited by Dave Cutter; 11-02-13 at 06:45 AM.
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So adult onset anxiety is something he should mention to his doctor.... or something he should withhold from his doctor? In your professional opinion.
Or... are you saying this is something that is best left undetermined? The OP is obviously uncomfortable. Whether a person deals with their fears in conventional ways... or with medical intervention... ether way fear is fear.
Or... are you saying this is something that is best left undetermined? The OP is obviously uncomfortable. Whether a person deals with their fears in conventional ways... or with medical intervention... ether way fear is fear.
Not sure if it's been posted before, but the video at the bottom of this article is relevant.
https://www.chron.com/cars/article/MI...as-4591501.php
Last edited by GodsBassist; 11-02-13 at 08:20 AM.
#69
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"I've come to really dislike driving........ I hate the way I feel when I drive. My blood pressure seems to go up, I begin to lose......"
Unexplained changes... whether it's changes in a warts color... or an unexplained fear great enough to cause physical changes (like in blood pressure). Is most certainly something I'd take to my doctor. My God man.... who lives in such fear... and accepts that as normal?
#70
Sophomoric Member
I am an older person.... I know a LOT of people. I don't know a single soul who finds driving to be particularly stressful... with the exception of a couple people who have always experienced stress when driving. The OP posted he/she apparently recently experienced new physical and emotion problems associated with this "normal" activity.
"I've come to really dislike driving........ I hate the way I feel when I drive. My blood pressure seems to go up, I begin to lose......"
Unexplained changes... whether it's changes in a warts color... or an unexplained fear great enough to cause physical changes (like in blood pressure). Is most certainly something I'd take to my doctor. My God man.... who lives in such fear... and accepts that as normal?
"I've come to really dislike driving........ I hate the way I feel when I drive. My blood pressure seems to go up, I begin to lose......"
Unexplained changes... whether it's changes in a warts color... or an unexplained fear great enough to cause physical changes (like in blood pressure). Is most certainly something I'd take to my doctor. My God man.... who lives in such fear... and accepts that as normal?
My more frivolous thought was that somebody would go to the doctor complaining of anxiety while driving. The doctor would give him a prescription. When he got the pills, the poor guy would find a label on the bottle: "Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication."
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#71
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It has been proven that driving is stressful whether people realize it or not. Stress affects different people different ways, and different people deal with stress in different ways. Just because one person reacts a certain way to a particular stress situation doesn't necessarily mean that they need to see a doctor. I know one guy that has nerves of steel when it comes to just about everything... but the sight of his own blood, for some reason it totally freaks him out. Funny thing is he works an a Paramedic... go figure.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
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#72
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But your right! Almost everyone has some irrational fear [AKA phobia] of some sort that they drag with them into there adult behavior... left over from childhood fears. It is perfectly normal!
However.... an adult developing a new fear [phobia]... independent of rational thought? Yes it does happen! I've known two people to develop such phobias. Both ended up completely house bound before they decided to seek help.
If it's OK... acceptable... to shun driving because of a new irrational and untreated fear.... does the OP give up bicycling next week due to a fear of dog bites? When does enough... become enough? The OP is desperate enough to post here on this public forum. I think he knows this is progressive.
#73
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And no... I really don't know anybody who feels particularly anxious about driving, or flying, shopping in stores, or walking down streets.
#75
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I got all of my driving lessons from alcoholics and crackheads, but over time I got decent at it. I'm still nonplussed when I (rarely) do it in cities. Way to big.
The car I used to get my license in only had 1 mirror hanging off the side the rear doors and windows didn't move, the passengers front side wasnt far behind and there was no turn signal. Eventually you had to crawl in if you wanted to be a passenger.
The car I used to get my license in only had 1 mirror hanging off the side the rear doors and windows didn't move, the passengers front side wasnt far behind and there was no turn signal. Eventually you had to crawl in if you wanted to be a passenger.
Last edited by plustax; 11-02-13 at 09:00 PM.