Yesterday I drove on a semi-busy road and went pretty far. I can't believe I did it. I was sorta numb and just said "do it" and I did it. I still can't believe it!!! Then later I drove again to pick up meds (I have a terrible sinus infection). Then I drove again, stopped by my friends house and then drove home...IN THE DARK!!! I missed our house...drove right by LOL!!! but went around the corner and came back. I am getting more comfortable, but it is not a natural thing yet. It so funny because in my head I know I can do this...it really is a confidence thing. .

By Mrse on Saturday, August 7, 2004 - 10:32 am:

Good for you! I have not been on line for a while so I missed alot, computer was down, but I am assuming that you just got your licience? Keep going drive as much as possible.

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, August 7, 2004 - 10:34 am:

Keep it up! You can do it!

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, August 7, 2004 - 09:44 pm:

Yes, it is a confidence thing, Jayne. Having come late to driving (1996), I do understand. I had to just keep on driving, being careful, and planning trips to new places carefully.

I learned that if someone honks because I don't make my left turn quick enough or get out from the light quick enough, I just let them honk. And if someone is tailgating me because the speed limit is 55 and I am going 60, I try to move into the next lane and let them just pass. On regular streets if someone is tailgating and it is clear s/he thinks I am just going too slow (and I drive the limit or up to 5 mph over the limit in town), again, I just pull over. I don't want to be near that driver when s/he has the accident that is inevitable.

I am still not terribly comfortable on high speed roads and try to do those trips when it is not rush hour or the last day of a holiday weekend.

By Fionadeassis on Saturday, August 7, 2004 - 11:05 pm:

I am a new driver too!!! (got my license at 34)..so I have been driving for about 2 years...

I am still really nervous when I have to drive in areas that are new to me....I still haven't driven on really busy roads.....

I only drive once in a while-usually in the evening to go do some shopping or visit my mom.

When I was late in my pregnancy I didn't drive at all-just didn't trust myself..I was to flaky and 'out of it'..

So I know how awesome you must feel right now!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fiona

By Momaroze on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 09:48 am:

Driving is freedom! To me anyway. It gets so much easier and is about confidence. I still get a little uneasy before I go out to drive in the city, but once I'm there "piece of cake". I've been driving already for 8 years!

Congratulations!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 10:58 am:

I agree, Lynn, driving is freedom. You and I have been driving for the same period of time. I learned to drive because my mother insisted, saying that she felt that in a few years she would have to stop driving. Had it not been for her I wouldn't have learned, and I bless her for it every time I get behind the wheel. It is a joy to be able to get to the train in the rain and stay dry, to go the store when I want to and not when I can get a ride, to not have to measure the volume of my purchases by what I can carry on the bus. It is a relief to know that in an emergency I don't have to wait for a cab (which can take a looooong time), that I need not beg rides from friends or allow an extra hour or more to get somewhere because I am taking public transportation.

I still take the train to work because it is idiotic to drive into downtown Philadelphia and pay parking, but at the end of the day I can go the library, the mall, the supermarket or home without regard for walking distance or bus routes. I agree, it is freedom.

By Jayne2 on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 08:43 pm:

Thanks gals. I drove today to my parents campground. I did make a horrible booboo when making a sharp right off an off ramp into traffic and I went onto the grass...no one got hurt...I cried...I was so embarrassed. Rob made me continue...I really didn't want to but I did and I cried and drove and now I can laugh, but it was awful at the time. How 'bout sharing some of your booboos when you first started driving to help me fell better...Thanks

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 09:13 pm:

Well, to start with, it took me five tries to pass the driving test. And I think the only reason the tester passed me is that I had to get mom out of the car and into her wheelchair and take her to the testing office before I could start the test.

The first time I took the test I turned onto a road where the sun was right in my eyes and thank goodness it was a country-type road. I threw up my hand over my eyes and hit the brakes, and then just pulled off the road and sat there for a couple of minutes.

By Tink on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 09:39 pm:

The first time I took the test I was driving in the center lane of a three-lane, one-way street. A fire truck came up behind me with its siren going and there was a huge group of cars pulled over to the right of me and I never thought to pull over to the left since it was one way traffic. I blocked the engine for several seconds while it pulled around me. Needless to say I failed and the tester said I could have been arrested for it if I had done the same thing with my driver's license.
The first day I got my license I took my mom's minivan to youth group and locked the keys in the car. One of the group leaders jimmied the lock with a wire hanger. Thank Goodness.
I also ran out of gas the first week I had my own car. Luckily, I've learned from each of these mistakes and never made them again.

By Feona on Monday, August 9, 2004 - 06:13 am:

Definitely takes alittle while to get used to driving. But little by little the terror goes away.

By twxk0l1@altavista.com on Sunday, August 6, 2006 - 05:14 am:

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