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Drive, Driving, Drivers = Fear
I lived in the UK for 30 years and have driven with Brian all over that country happily enough - London, Glasgow, Liverpool you name it we’ve driven there but since returning to NZ and settling in a small (pop 4000) town things have changed - or have they?
A while ago we had to drive into a city here is what I wrote at the time…
"We returned from the city a few hours ago and I’m tired. I’m tired having travelled a good part of the way there and back with my fingers gripping the armrest and my right foot braced hard against the floor.
My eyes are tired from trying to read signposts before we flashed past the turnoffs and the crick in my neck and almighty headache is from trying to burrow my head into the headrest.
I’m not saying Brian is a bad driver, most of the time he is steady and I feel safe with him at the wheel. At other times, especially on long trips it’s a different story…
If there are cars ahead of us he wants to catch them up and travel as close to them as possible. On the other hand if they are behind us he wants to be as far from them as possible. Unfortunately the only way to achieve both is by keeping his foot flat to the floor. Don’t get me wrong he stays within the speed limit - that is as close to the upper speed limit as is possible without going over but sometimes he terrifies me.
This morning I swear I could actually see fear in the blue eyes
of the driver in front of us.
“Do you want to climb into his boot Brian” I asked quietly…he slowed down slightly.
Luckily there are many places along the route where we can be the only car on the road for miles and miles and in these places he drives along quite happily and I can relax until another car appears that is."
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As I've been driving for 50 years, I guess you could call me an experienced driver. As I've only had one accident when somebody ran into the back of me, I reckon that I'm a safe driver. I have always been a naught boy, because I've always speeded when it seemed safe to do so. I got my first speeding ticket a couple of years ago, one of these automatic radar things, that's a foul, lol. Ok, you've had good run for your money, now start being a good boy and I've not speeded since. Its not as if I'm in a rush to go anywhere.
I've lived in London, Paris, and Berlin, and driven in most Western European countries. But with the accumulating years I'm getting more nervous about it. I notice that my reactions have slowed down a bit, I make mistakes that I never used to and such. The result is now I have to have a very good reason to go somewhere that I don't know and its thank everything for GPS! Could be that years are making you nervous, my Dear :D. |
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You are probably right. I think he became so used to "bumper to bumper" traffic in Europe he misses it lol...nuts! |
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I've lived my whole life without driving. People think I'm very strange but when I was young and tried to drive, it scared my, now I'm older and used to a lifetime figuring out public transport I'm kinda glad I don't drive...............now that evey one is concerned about their carbon footprint its quite fashionable not to drive. But I remember how scared of the traffic I was and admire any one who spends their life driving on these mad mad roads. |
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never brace your feet. If you do crash your legs will break. You want to be like putty. |
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Easier said that done.
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very easy, while others drive you drink. After 5 good drinks you'll be fine. |
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lol! pardon my laughing but I think maybe your Brian and my husband may be somehow related. :) I live in the country and use the rural roads as often as possible....even if it may take just a little bit longer to reach my destination. less stress and better scenery. |
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I hate city driving, I mean I know what I'm doing it's everyone else you want be careful of :) |
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lol! me too! is today your Bday??? ♫ Happy Birthday !!♫ |
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Yes on the 20th which off course is what it is where you are I guess while it is already the 21st here (NZ), time sure flies, :) |
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oh yeah....i forgot about the time difference! did i miss your birthday? :) |
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It's never too late to wish someone |
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so true! and more reason to celebrate!! |
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happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear kwikaaaaaaa happy birthday to you ((((hug)))) :) |
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Thank you Nemo and please call me Bev if you like:) |
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Can't count the candles but I'm sure there are too many lol;) |
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yeah but my eyes ain't what they used to be i didn't want to drop it :) |
So many of us, me included, have trouble driving. I hate being tooted at and then to react badly....traffic just seems to bring the worse out in many of us.
(sigh)