I'm a slow driver. Please don't hate me.

I like that sticker with "The closer you get, the slower I drive" one, because it's basically my boyfriend's driving motto. If someone's tailgating him, even though the driver clearly cannot hear him, he'll say something like, "Get off my *****, buddy! Back off or I'll go slower!"

I am generally a fast driver, but that's not in areas with traffic lights, more on the highway...so when someone tailgates me (esp when they could go around), you better believe I slow down...slower...slower
Kudos to your boyfriend.

Well, maybe I shouldn't say this but.....
When I was first learning (had passed the test, but that is just the start of it), I got annoyed with the same sort of thing...I kind of made a point to an extent...Go to radio shack and pick up a switch that is only in the on position while holding it...Find a place to put it in your car, where you can get to it to hit it, without taking your eyes off the road, and you can easily pull it out (don't want it there when it gets inspected). Run wires from that switch, to the same wires that short when you hit the brake (the stop light switch wires).
Now, someone gets too close to you rear end, keep foot on gas, but hit the rigged switch..Break lights come one, guy behind most likely SLAMS on there breaks, you keep moving at the same speed, so now you put some distance between you, place put the fear of God in him........

Interesting, RedBarchetta!

*giggle* I like that fake brake idea.

Sorry to hear that you get thrown in the deep end lovebird. In Australia learner Drivers have to log 200 hours of supervised driving in all weather conditions before going for their P plates. They have to produce a log book. Yup, get more practice in hun.

And the L plates and P plates are a good idea. Its nice to know to give that person more room to move. Mind you most P platers are fine because they have had time driving.

I don't hate slow drivers, I think they're taking their time cuz they need to.

My way to get tailgaters off my asphalt involves my truck's windshield washer fluid. If I'm being followed too closely, I start washing my windshield with a LOT of fluid and wipers going full blast. The car behind me will get misted and make a mess unless they back off. I don't know if this works at slow speed, but it works on the freeway. It's funny to see the expression on their face (rearview mirror) when their windshield starts getting cloudy, and they have to wash theirs, too.

I'm a new driver too. Here we also have a graduated licensing program, so I passed my learner's stage and am considered a 'new' driver (I wear an 'N' sticker on the back of my car when I drive, and my next road test will give me my full driver's license). I got my license through driver's training, through a private instructor, and it has not alleviated my fear of driving. I live in a city and I'm terrified of driving here. I'm a slow driver because I have barely had any driving experience and have zero confidence behind the wheel. Plus, people are crazy. Nobody stops at stop signs, nobody does the speed limit, they honk and cuss at people who do...madness. I don't blame you for being scared.

I've figured out that part of the fear is what I'm only partially aware that I'm telling myself.

"When you're driving, you can't make mistakes. Ever. Because any mistake you make can be deadly."

It's true that mistakes can be deadly, but if I'm paying attention, I'm not likely to make one that big. But it isn't true that there is no room for mistakes. Missing an exit is a mistake, but it probably wouldn't do any more than inconvenience me.

True. I'm actually really glad I stumbled upon this thread because it's helping me get out of my crippling perfectionism and at least consider the possibility of getting behind the wheel again, soon. I have a longtime friend who just bought a manual-shift sports car and has offered to teach me how to drive manual and then to practice and log some hours that way.