Do you like driving?

[Mightymags 1,053]

I enjoy driving if I don't have to do the same route a lot. I don't mind driving to the city or around town, different places, but I got annoyed with driving when it was just to school and back every day or to the store because my parents didn't want to go. I stopped driving if I didn't have to because I just didn't want to. Once I moved away from home the joy of driving came back. I love long drives where I can just blast music, especially out on country roads where there isn't much traffic. Sadly though my car broke and I'm stuck to walking and relying on others for rides, I absolutely hate it. I would love nothing more than to drive across the country with someone, if things work out. 

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,298]

I'm thirty-two, disabled, and have neither a vehicle nor a license.  I never really learned to drive properly and would be a danger to anyone on the road.  If the thought of mowing down pedestrians pleased me, I might like driving.  But it doesn't.  So I don't.

[Lektra Bolt 2,337]

I live in New York City, and we're lucky enough here to have an excellent and widely used public transportation system (the subway). There are still plenty of cars about, but it's a far lower percentage of the population than other places, especially because of the immense traffic. I've never much cared about driving - although I was raised in Minnesota, where it's quite inconvenient not to drive, my parents didn't like driving and in fact never owned a car. As a result I have no real interest in it; I never got a license because it would be a pointless hassle. Cars are expensive, reasonably dangerous, and most cause a great deal of pollution (though cleaner electric cars are proliferating, and supposedly safer computer-driven cars are on their way). In essence, I don't mind the action of driving - it's a bit fun, which is why there are plenty of video games about it - but I see no need to bother, and there are plenty of reasons against driving in real life.

As for freedom? At least in NYC, I can get the same amount of freedom by walking (and, if I want to, taking the subway) to anywhere I want in the city. And there's enough to do here that I don't feel restricted.

Besides. We have "teh internetz".

I completely agree with my bud here. I would also like to add a couple of things.

1. In most of NYC we have almost constant traffic even outside of Manhattan, so here having a car or vehicle that has to adhere to traffic signals is usually detrimental.

2. In the immortal words of Spider-Man in the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon. "This is New York. Who needs a car?" Public transportation is rampant. Here, the only people who drive are those who want to, and believe me there are many. I just fail to understand their motivations for causing traffic or adding to it.

Edited March 26, 2015 by bronislav84

[Lateon 588]

I find driving a very enjoyable and relaxing experience, despite having an old beater of a car (262k miles on a 2001 Subaru Outback). It's a very...physical thing - I feel in control, and I'm always considering the inherent physics behind whatever I do behind the wheel, because it helps me focus and enjoy the act of driving. The car is less a tool at my disposal and more an extension of my awareness, which is why I'm much more nervous about driving my mom's pickup truck, for example.

 

Sure, things could happen, and I as a 21 year old can't really say that I'm very skilled, but I'm confident enough on the road and understand enough of the underlying mechanics of what I put into the car to feel safe whenever I drive.

[KatonRyu 1,026]

I usually like driving, although I absolutely hate driving in crowded cities which often predate the car and so have narrow streets and crazy bends that make a driver's life hell. Long stretches of open highway are ideal though, especially at night, without streetlights, with the radio on.

 

I don't care much for cars, though. All my knowledge on them comes from Top Gear, which I watch only for the hosts and the challenges.

 

In short, I prefer the car for longer trips but when I stay in the city I prefer walking or pubic transport.

[CaptainDoubloon 856]

I've never bothered to learn to drive or tried it because I wasn't interested like everyone else in high school. I'm also a little afraid to get behind the wheel. I prefer to be a passenger where I can just stare out the window and zone out.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,801]

I have my license...but I'm a super nervous driver. Not so nervous to the point where I'm a bad driver or anything...just to the point where I scream going around every corner (But I maintain my speed LIKE A BAWSSSSS)
I guess you could say I'm indifferent but more on the "Oh god this is terrifying" side of things.

[HunterTSN 1,444]

Well I live in the center of a college town so almost anything I need is within walking or biking distance. I should have gotten my license quite a while ago, however since I've never really had a good reason to I just always put it off. Whenever I need to go somewhere far away I can usually find a carpool anyway.

Edited March 27, 2015 by HunterTSN

[Jeric 46,835]

@Unikitty, I merged your post with the original one just lik e it, but I kept your poll since it was well thought out.

[Admiral Regulus 2,769]

I live in New York City, and we're lucky enough here to have an excellent and widely used public transportation system (the subway). There are still plenty of cars about, but it's a far lower percentage of the population than other places, especially because of the immense traffic. I've never much cared about driving - although I was raised in Minnesota, where it's quite inconvenient not to drive, my parents didn't like driving and in fact never owned a car. As a result I have no real interest in it; I never got a license because it would be a pointless hassle. Cars are expensive, reasonably dangerous, and most cause a great deal of pollution (though cleaner electric cars are proliferating, and supposedly safer computer-driven cars are on their way). In essence, I don't mind the action of driving - it's a bit fun, which is why there are plenty of video games about it - but I see no need to bother, and there are plenty of reasons against driving in real life.

As for freedom? At least in NYC, I can get the same amount of freedom by walking (and, if I want to, taking the subway) to anywhere I want in the city. And there's enough to do here that I don't feel restricted.

Besides. We have "teh internetz".

It's not the same, though. When you're walking, you don't get that feeling of pressing down on the accelerator pedal, and then the force of your back against the seat. You don't get that pleasant roar of the engine; you don't feel the grip of the tires. Never when I'm walking have I wanted to scream, Powahhhhhhhhhh! Hoooorahhhhhhhh!

[Unikitty 1,211]

@Unikitty, I merged your post with the original one just like it, but I kept your poll since it was well thought out.

 

Oh, cool. I did have a look for a thread like mine but came up empty. Glad the poll stayed.

[Duster Dawnhorse 247]

I used to be absolutely petrified of driving. Like hyperventilating in the driver's seat when the car is not even on terrified. It took a lot of practice to overcome that fear.

 

Now if I have my iPod hooked up or a talk show going I'm mostly okay. Still really anxious on long drives or drives to somewhere I have to rely on a GPS to get to.

[Finesthour 7,284]

Driving is absolutely terrifying to me. How do you see where you are on the road. What if I hit someone. What if I die.

All of my nope-a-cola.

[gone~ 614]

I'm in the process of getting my license, so I've only been driving a little bit. I think that simply driving is alright, but not something that's all that fun. I do remember when my brother drove around with me, though, while we were blasting loud music, and that was pretty fun ^^

[Trickilee 139]

I kind of hate it. But I have to, for the sake of my little witch. I never wanted to get my licence, but after you've become a father..

 

Well, things change. You step up.

[Tameless 979]

I have a license, but I dislike driving. (Been in accidents that were not my fault)

 

Have my own transportation as well.

[Attack of the Pwns 894]

I'm a huge car guy, and as such I LOVE driving in it's proper context. I think a lot of the reasons that people "hate driving" are caused by out-of-context driving on a regular basis.

 

Before I continue on rambling, let me make this point clear: I love cars as an art form. I don't push for people to drive because I think it's necessarily the most amazing experience they'll ever have, I do it to keep the concept of personal and customizable transport alive. A Triumph TR6 is beautiful. A public transit bus is boring at best. Let's not turn our roadways into communist states.

 

So, without further ado, I give you my checklist for the proper way to drive:

 

1. The car itself. First off, the average driver needs to know more about their vehicle. Is it Front Wheel, Rear Wheel, or All Wheel Drive? Front wheel, whilst by far the least safe, efficient, or fun, is also sadly the most popular by a wide margin. This should not be the case, but thanks to uneducated consumers and car conglomerates looking to cut costs, they are. The people that grow up with these vehicles around are far less likely to ever care about their own car, leading to a vicious cycle. Rear wheel drive is preferable for any form of spirited driving. Rare wheel drive cars range from the smallest Miata to the largest Bentley, but all share one similarity- they have a preferable feel to their Front Wheel drive competitors.

 

Another important part of the car side of the argument deals with the body style of car you drive. You will much more enjoy driving if you agree that you look good doing it. I can't tell you how much more of a treat it is to jump into my 2006 Mustang than it was to drive my -1995 Toyota Corolla sedan. If you think your car is part of the reason you aren't excited about driving anymore, buy something out of the norm. Go get yourself an E30 BMW or an F-Body Camaro if you're looking to get into something that's more fun off the road. If you're stuck in traffic, try something like an old Cadillac or Imperial as you'll find the added comfort of the all-leather seats to be a welcome addition to your commute. If you find yourself hauling lots of things or people, try any old station wagon or small pickup (I.e. 70s-90s Datsun, Toyota Chevy LUV, Ram 50, Subaru BRAT/Brumby), you'll be suprised how much fun you can cram into one.

 

Most importantly, I recommend you buy something old and cheap. You will have 10x the fun in an old "beater" of a car than you will in a shiny new model. More inside jokes, less hoots given about maintenance and potential damage. That adds up to lots and lots of good times and positive memories.

 

2. The Road. If you've never been out of the city to drive, seriously, go out and find yourself a quiet country road this weekend. I don't care where it is on a map, it will be pure nirvana from behind the wheel. Don't believe me, go and try it once. You've got nothing but some gas money and a few hours to lose but probably more than you'd think to gain.

[Tom Snyder 4,111]

Never.. I will never do it. I prefer mountain bikes over cars anyway; in cars you don't get any exercise. You can get just as far on a bike as you can a car; done it once and enjoyed it. If people complain, then don't do it.

[PoisonClaw 8,153]

Nope, I'm terrified of driving. I was already in two accidents before I was 10 (one of which was my fault) so I don't plan on getting my license anytime soon. 

[AccountNoLongerUsed 741]

I am  always afraid I might mess up some how and end up getting someone hurt. 

[Sommar 1,289]

Driving is quite enjoyable; it's an entertaining pastime to me. Currently I'm 18 and I don't have a license (thanks mom for not letting me enroll in driving school at 16!), but I will be getting one soon enough. Whenever I practice driving, I use my dad's car. It's very small and it drives very well so I like it. I can't wait to get my own personal car soon!

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,306]

Sadly I have way too much anxiety to drive. I do like driving in video games oddly enough, like long treks in GTA V or Forza 5 for example, but in real life, it is not something I can do honestly.

[Guest]

Driving is like therapy to me. I go out on drives at night sometimes to get away from it all.

[Clover Heart 978]

I'm an American living in Japan. I drove when I lived in the US but I can't drive over here. Even if I could, I don't have a vehicle to drive, anyway. To local places, I take my bicycle. Farther away places, I take the bus and the train. And to places the train doesn't go or if we're going together, my partner drives me. I'm 27 but I haven't driven in about 5 years.

 

I've never liked driving. It's extremely nerve-wracking for me. I'm a poor judge of anything spacial, so it makes me nervous to drive. I'm also a poor judge of my own movements, so making judgments for myself while driving is quite difficult. I'm fine if everything's going smoothly, but if there's a lot of traffic or there are assholes or unaccounted factors, I have a lot of trouble. In particular, I'm no good at making snap-judgments. I tend to make bad judgments when I don't have time to think. I can't focus well on the big picture and can only really factor one thing at a time. So, yeah. I don't like driving. Though, I do have to say, a lot of it is other people. Yes, it's my fault that I can't make these kinds of snap-judgments. And if it's a situation nobody can do anything about, that's on me. But if someone's just being inconsiderate, that's their fault. And there are a lot of inconsiderate jerkasses out there. Ugh, I just don't like it.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Clover Heart

[Stalliongrad 982]

As a bus driver i have to enjoy driving. The thing about driving is tho .... its a chore. You may enjoy it now but trust me when i say that will wear off. Its interesting how everyone can be taught to drive the same way tet everyone does it differently. Driving is one of the most hazardous things people do. According to OSHA Bus Drivers face more personal risk and hazards to health than Police Officers.... Driving requires you to fight the inate human urge to divert your attention elsewhere and focus on one thing for a long time. Even a slight break in that concentration can cause an accident. I do enjoy driving, theres nothing like having a machine that does exactly what you want it to do, but im all too aware of people who txt and drive and do other distracting things behind the wheel.