[hamster-bamster]

Got the key from my car back yesterday. Will drive in the city tonight. Afraid of highways. Have not driven the car since summer 2009. Tomorrow will need to drive to work and T.

you won't need luck Hammy...you got special sense

you will be okay

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

you won't need luck Hammy...you got special sense

you will be okay

Oh, thank you! I will be the only driver in my town who has not been driving since 2009, I think.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Oh, thank you! I will be the only driver in my town who has not been driving since 2009, I think.

..then you won't have all the bad habits them other drivers have got...

supremely alert! ... you will be

[Doxie mom]

Good luck. It's just like riding a horse.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Doxie mom

Good luck. It's just like riding a horse.

I wish I had both!

[Ladyzero]

Good luck, H.B. How exciting ! Freedom awaits. You'll be fine, and your confidence will come back.
Why have you not been driving ?
Whatever the reason, it's great that you're taking it up again.
Good luck, and best wishes from afar. Be safe, and enjoy your new found freedom.

[BlueInanna]

Good luck, I think you will do it fabulously. Should be some exciting new freedom too.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Ladyzero

Good luck, H.B. How exciting ! Freedom awaits. You'll be fine, and your confidence will come back.
Why have you not been driving ?
Whatever the reason, it's great that you're taking it up again.
Good luck, and best wishes from afar. Be safe, and enjoy your new found freedom.

2009-2012 because my driver's license was taken away.
the rest of 2012 because ex husband used my car after his became beyond repair.
DL was taken away shortly after the suicide attempt when then H let me GP know that he is fed up with me and would not drive me to doctor's appointments any more, she freaked out and decided that I would be an impulsive driver and told the DMV to revoke my DL. Then I tried to responsibilize her and she expressed some shame and wrote to the DMV that I am OK, but they said "nope, we won't listen to a GP, need a p-doc's note" and then it took time to convince p-docs because nobody wants to take responsibility.

In reality, I am a very conscientious driver and when I was considering the plan for the suicide, I ruled out OD'ing and driving on a highway until I would fall asleep because I did not want an innocent person or innocent people to die via colliding with me. So, normal empathy with strangers. Nothing impulsive.

BlueInanna, true, I hope you are right and I will feel that I am regaining a lost freedom!

[sugahorse1]

All he best - I'm sure you'll pick it up straight away!

[hamster-bamster]

The clock in the car does not work. The dashboard does not light at night. I can drive during the day but the car is not safe for driving in the dark. I think ex should have returned the car in a better condition. Last time I rode in this car, the clock worked. He filled the gas tank which was nice of him, and the car is clean which is also nice of him, but it is not safe for night driving. I will inquire about why there is this problem with the dashboard.

Driving did come back to me but I did some really weird things today. Once, I stopped on the stop sign and was just staying there until I realized that I was expecting the light to turn green! As if it were a red light and not a stop sign.

Or, vice versa - stopped on the red light and had a desire to start driving again, as if it were a stop sign. But did not do it, just registered a weird desire.

I found a route to work that does not involve the highway.

But tomorrow I will need to take highways driving to p-doc.

you deserve a car that works all the time

[hamster-bamster]

Thank you, DM! And even the clock. I realize that not having a working clock is not a driving hazard, but... YOU NEED TO KNOW THE TIME WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING!

[manicminer]

Put that hammer down and give it hell! hahahah

But seriously good luck. Just remember the basics: frequently check your mirrors while driving, always check all your mirrors and your blind spot before turning or changing lanes, follow the traffic signals, and pay attention to your surroundings. Watch out for the crazies

[~Christina]

Glad you did well driving , The dashboard needs to light up of course as its needed in the dark, could be something as simple as a burned out fuse .. as far as the clock,,, just check the time on your cell phone for now.

[Victoria'smom]

That's so exciting that you get to drive again. You'll remember things soon enough.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by manicminer

Put that hammer down and give it hell! hahahah

But seriously good luck. Just remember the basics: frequently check your mirrors while driving, always check all your mirrors and your blind spot before turning or changing lanes, follow the traffic signals, and pay attention to your surroundings. Watch out for the crazies

Have been doing that!

Yesterday: Costco to pick up milk, paper towels, carrot juice, and other goodies, Trader Jos's to pick up Merlot, my grocery store to get rolls of quarters for laundry, semi-empty highways just for practice, ... and even drove by the remote business park's parking lote where I OD'd and was found by security four years ago. Today: took donations to Goodwill.