It's weird. Now that I have my license and can drive myself anywhere I want to, I seem to have developed a fear of driving alone. I have an appointment on the 11th, and I'm sure I'll be expected to drive myself, since the point of getting my license was so people wouldn't have to take me.

I was supposed to go grocery shopping by myself, for a few staple items. Then I essentially started having a panic attack. I might have worked up the courage, but my daughter didn't want to wait and see, so she went instead, even though she isn't feeling well today. Hubby just called from work, right before I started this post, and when I told him I had a panic attack about driving, he said, "Yeah, don't do that." I asked him what he meant. Don't have a panic attack while I'm driving, or don't drive while I'm having a panic attack? He answered, both. I guess I did the right thing then.

So I ended up making two laps around the neighborhood, to build up courage for driving myself to that appointment. Sure enough, for a small stretch there was this one guy riding my bumper and honking because I was slow and hesitant. I know people do a lot of griping about how they hate slow drivers, but I can't help it. I'm new at this. AND it's raining.

After I got back home, I went online and double checked the speed limit on that road where I was being honked at and tailgated for about a block. Sure enough, although I was a little pokey coming off of a stop sign, I was doing the speed limit which happens to be pretty slow around here. The guy riding my (ahem) basically wanted me to move out of the way so he could speed. I did pull over and give him room to pass. If he wants to speed in the rain, that's on him. But it got me thinking of various "pet peeve" threads I've seen, including here, where people cite slow drivers as one of their biggest angry-makers.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid I'm going to be a slow driver, at least until I gain more experience. As a passenger, I've heard many a driver complain, and I've seen the sentiment expressed in online forums: "If those doggone slowpokes don't know how to drive, they should just get off the road." Well, if I should just get off the road, how am I going to improve?

According to my driving instructor, that bit about going too slow being just as dangerous as going too fast, applies to the freeway, not to residential areas. And you can bet your sweet asphalt (second time in these forums I've used that line; I kind of like it) I'm going to stay off the freeway until I'm more confident. I'm sticking to neighborhood roads. But apparently I can still be tailgated and honked at where the speed limit is 25, even though that's exactly the speed I'm doing.

I've never heard a baby yelled at while learning to walk. Nobody complains that the baby is too slow, and "if you can't walk, just sit down and get out of my way." If only new drivers were afforded the same patience.

[ECHOES]

New things take time to feel familiar.
Your confidence will grow with time, and driving will become second nature to you.
Tailgaters are so rude, but you can signal a turn and pull over so they can pass. People expect to be able to do the speed limit, plus some. Actually the speed limit is the upper limit and not the minimum

Keep practicing, that's a great idea. Maybe go out during times when there are not many cars on the road, keep your cell phone nearby to remind you that others are easily contacted.

[jesusplay]

Buy a prius. If you drive slow you get amazing MPG. I drive slow, I never go over 65 MPH even when it's in a 70-75.

Plus the prius is one of the most green car you can buy, greener than a fully electric car even. Virtually no carbon emissions.

[Maven]

I was slow when I started driving my boyfriend's car (when he broke his foot, so I had to drive), after about 20 years of not driving! I didn't drive because I moved in with him those many years ago, and he had a car and I didn't, and he didn't trust me to drive his car...until he had to. And I didn't wreck it, I'd like to add!

I got faster as I got used to the car and my driving skills increased. Don't feel so bad about being slow. In most cases, the car can pass you. I've seen the lights flashing around a school, saying you need to drive 25 mph, but even when I slow down, cars are still going at more like 40 mpg.

[possum220]

When I got my drivers licence I tended to drive slow. That was years ago. Now i can drive at the regular speed limit. However, no matter if I am doing the allowed limit there are always heaps of drivers who will pass me. They are speeding. Not my problem.

As you get more confident things will get better and driving will be second nature.

Thanks for the support. One question. When I come across a Pet Peeves thread somewhere, and someone says, "I hate slow drivers," how am I supposed to feel? I've also seen similar criticism of slow walkers--and I have mobility issues and can't help that either.

Originally Posted by Lovebird

Thanks for the support. One question. When I come across a Pet Peeves thread somewhere, and someone says, "I hate slow drivers," how am I supposed to feel? I've also seen similar criticism of slow walkers--and I have mobility issues and can't help that either.

Remember that you have pet peeves too?
There are worse annoyances when driving than slow drivers... someone honking the horn and tailgating you when you're doing the speed limit has the problem, not you.

[Timgt5]

Originally Posted by jesusplay

Buy a prius. If you drive slow you get amazing MPG. I drive slow, I never go over 65 MPH even when it's in a 70-75.

Plus the prius is one of the most green car you can buy, greener than a fully electric car even. Virtually no carbon emissions.

Hate to burst your bubble on the last statement, but that is not quite true. While the Prius has very low emissions at the talepipe and gets great gas mileage, one has to also look at how it is made.

The electric motor draws power from a nickel hydride battery, which comes from a large strip mine in Canada, then shipped on a diesel powered boat to Japan, where the Prius is actually built. Then the Priuii have to be shipped from Japan to America all of that involves a lot of carbon from boats. Lastly when the battery expires it has to be disposed of somewhere, and nickel hydride is a rather toxic substance.

The Prius does not make a lot of sense from a value perspective either. In terms of real world transactions. The Hyundai Accent for example is about six thousand dollars cheaper and gets nearly 40MPG. Factoring in the upfront costs, you would have to drive a Prius nearly a decade to make up for the difference with gas savings, plus if you own the Prius long enough the battery pack will have to be replaced, at an additional cost of 2000 dollars or so, not to mention the extra maintenance costs along the way for hybrid specific components.

[Britneigh]

I'm sorry (and I don't mean to sound like I'm criticizing you because I'm not! I respect that you go slow) but I dislike slow drivers. But never would I honk or tailgate them, I just generally will pass when safe. I wouldn't ever complain though if its like a village type area, more just on back roads and on highways. I find that incredibly rude when people honk or tailgate. Thats my pet peeve. There are times when I'm a stickler about going the speed limit, but most times I'm guilty of going 10 over.

I will say though, I applaud you for driving at all, and a certain gesterous finger to the people who think their bums are hats for beeping and tailgating. That's just rude and obnoxious and nobody likes obnoxious people

[Fresia]

It was nice that you pulled to the side and courtesy is important, good awareness and nicely done! Most accidents are not caused by slow drivers but by driving too fast, not paying attention, and road/weather conditions. I would rather someone drive slower and be safe than drive too fast. As mentioned above, in time you feel more comfortable as your confidence builds and the more you drive, the better the chances are that that will happen. Do what works best for you to be safe on the roads first and foremost to become comfortable, and remember to take deep breaths. Again, congrats on your license! (((((Lovebird))))))

An Australian friend told me that in their country, someone with a learner's permit will have an L on their license plate. After passing the driving test, they will then get a probationary (or provisional) license and have a red P on their plate for the first year, and a green P for two years after that. This way, everyone can see this is a new driver, be patient. I think that's a great idea. When I was taking lessons, driving the school's car, the vehicle had the words "instruction car" written on the back. Any driver's ed car will have that, or "student driver" on the sides. But there is no way to know from anything about my car that I just got my license, so please bear with me. I wish there was.

[Maven]

You could put signs on your car proclaiming you're a "New Driver." Some people won't care, but some people will be more understanding. When I was first learning to drive, I drove in an area where there weren't a lot of cars, but the block I drove around took me to one road that had some cars on it. I was driving too slow, and a jack*ss screamed out something offensive to me (he was so loud, I couldn't even understand him!). I was scared, but at the same time, I was thinking, What an a**hole! Don't feel bad, you're not the only one who gets drivers angry at you.

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by Lovebird

But there is no way to know from anything about my car that I just got my license, so please bear with me. I wish there was.

First of all, CONGRATS!! YOU PASSED!!

I think here in Canada people have a large N posted in the back window to mean New Driver, but also a lot of people make a sign with the words New Driver and put that in the back window. I hate it when people are going slow on busy roads without signalling what they are doing. What, are they drunk? But if they have a new driver sign, I am very patient, and I think most other people understand. You could make a sign, even if no one else in your area has done it that you have seen.

I may do that. I wouldn't want it to block my vision, so instead of a sign in the window, I'm thinking more of a bumper sticker that says, "New driver, please be patient." I wonder if they make those? Or if I can have one made?

(googles) Yes, they do.

[Maven]

I don't know if you can have just one made, but you can get bumper stickers made. If you have a printer, you can get sticker paper and print out your own. I think Staples has sticker paper, although it's not high quality.

Thank you Maven.

Now I'm feeling a little bit triggered again. I was investigating where to buy these bumper stickers, and I stumbled upon a comment from a young man who said, "Trust me, you don't want one of those. Whenever I see 'new driver,' I always mess with them." He said it was like wearing a sign that reads, "Please rape me." WHY, WHY, WHY are people like that?

because people can be idiots...feel bad for him for being so ignorant (for about 30 seconds). Don't worry about the stuff you read, try and read around it. These people aren't worth your time or worry! And most people DO NOT respond like that!!

My husband, who just came home from work a few minutes ago, thinks enough people do act that way, that maybe it's not a good idea to get one of those bumper stickers. I'm thinking too of the book "Games People Play," Dr. Eric Berne, 1964. He said that if a man is wearing a sign on his back that reads, "please don't kick me," people are going to find it almost irresistible to kick him. That has to be the one thing I detest most about human nature.

Originally Posted by Lovebird

My husband, who just came home from work a few minutes ago, thinks enough people do act that way, that maybe it's not a good idea to get one of those bumper stickers. I'm thinking too of the book "Games People Play," Dr. Eric Berne, 1964. He said that if a man is wearing a sign on his back that reads, "please don't kick me," people are going to find it almost irresistible to kick him. That has to be the one thing I detest most about human nature.

You should get another sticker...like, "If you can read this, you are definitely too close."

Before my daughter sold her car, she had a sticker on it that read, "The closer you are, the slower I drive." I like the one that says, "Tailgate me and I'll flick a booger on your windshield."

Ha ha, I love that booger one and the other is great too. I need a good bumper sticker!

I like "Make love, not war...now back up off of my bumper so we can avoid the second, please." All in happy bright colors with smiley faces and peace signs.

[Timgt5]

If I may, a suggestion. Take an advanced driving course, with a licensed proffesional instructor. What passes for normal drivers ed in this country is frankly a joke. I think though if you get exposure to how vehicle dynamics work, you will feel much more confident behind the wheel.

I agree that driver's ed in the US is a joke, especially for someone learning to drive as a middle-aged adult. For teenagers there is classroom instruction involved, but for us older people, it's "OK, you're in the driver's seat--now pull out into that traffic there, and let's go." You're pretty much expected to already know how to control the car before you even have your first lesson. The only safeguard is that in a driver's ed car, there is an extra brake installed on the passenger side for the instructor to use in case of emergency. I've seen comic strips where there is also an extra steering wheel on the passenger side. At first, the student is only going through the motions while the instructor is doing the real driving, and gradually the student does more and more controlling the car. But those are only in the comic strips. In my experience, it was like teaching a kid to swim by picking him up and tossing him into the water.

[jesusplay]

Originally Posted by Timgt5

Hate to burst your bubble on the last statement, but that is not quite true. While the Prius has very low emissions at the talepipe and gets great gas mileage, one has to also look at how it is made.

The electric motor draws power from a nickel hydride battery, which comes from a large strip mine in Canada, then shipped on a diesel powered boat to Japan, where the Prius is actually built. Then the Priuii have to be shipped from Japan to America all of that involves a lot of carbon from boats. Lastly when the battery expires it has to be disposed of somewhere, and nickel hydride is a rather toxic substance.

The Prius does not make a lot of sense from a value perspective either. In terms of real world transactions. The Hyundai Accent for example is about six thousand dollars cheaper and gets nearly 40MPG. Factoring in the upfront costs, you would have to drive a Prius nearly a decade to make up for the difference with gas savings, plus if you own the Prius long enough the battery pack will have to be replaced, at an additional cost of 2000 dollars or so, not to mention the extra maintenance costs along the way for hybrid specific components.

The Prius is extremely low-maintenance because it is mechanically simpler than a regular car. The hybrid system and battery is covered by a bulletproof 8 year / 100,000 mile warranty. It's surprisingly roomy for its size.

It's not a performance car, it's geared towards fuel economy and practicality. As long as that's what you need (i.e. you are not looking for a sporty car to burn rubber), it's a good car to consider.

Those who think the Prius costs a lot of money to maintain obviously knows nothing about the Prius. Ditto those who think all that matters is recouping the cost in gas savings.

The Prius costs LESS to maintain than a regular car because:

-no oil change for 10,000 miles.

- Its Power Split Device transmission has just one planetary gearset, no gear-shifting wear-and-tear. No clutch, no hot-running torque converter, no CVT belts. This simplicity means it is very durable and very low-maintenance. How the PSD transmission works: http://www.eahart.com/prius/psd

- The Prius uses electric regenerative braking (i.e. converts the car's forward momentum into storable electricity), which saves brake pad wear tremendously. The Prius brake pads do not need to be changed until well after 100,000 miles. (Not a typo.)

- The Prius has no timing belt, no alternator, no starter solenoid or motor to wear out and need replacement.

- Since the Prius gasoline engine isn't running all the time the car is in operation, it experiences less heat stress, consequently its coolant does not need changing until after 8 years. (again, not a typo).

All these low-maintenance technologies means I don't have to take the car in for servicing as often as a regular car, which is why I am NEVER going back to a regular car.
ignorance is bliss. I'll have this car 10 years Plus because it will last....

[RedBarchetta]

As far as speed goes - I think you will find some roads like that in any area - just around here, without thinking hard at all - there are 4 where the speed limit is 25, but do less than 40 on them, and you WILL get hit in the ***** - even police in marked cars are doing about 40 without audible siren or emergency lights flashing.
And some of the highways - well, stay in the right lane and your fine, go left, forget 65, it's more like 75-80 or more. (once kept a fairly steady 90 and still had people, including one cop, pass me).
But the more you do it, the less of a problem it is - but no do not try to keep up with that if you are just learning essentially! - Those people have been driving for years, and are unaware you have not.