Nervous when driving

Fazda said:
Are you mad?? :wtf:

That must be THE most stupid thing that I have ever heard.

OP, please ignore this post!
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If he keeps it up at around 6500 revs it should actually work just fine.
He must also be sure to grind a gear.
 
YingYang said:
I'm more interested in why you weren't driving up until now. Didn't you have a car?
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I did not have a vehicle back then but had to get my license nonetheless, because it seemed like the right thing to do if I ever wanted to drive :)
 
Just go for random drives in quieter areas till you feel comfortable.
 
drive in your area and get familiar with your car. Try and practise as much as possible and do it at OFF peak times so you don't get stressed by traffic etc.
 
I get nervous when I drive in areas I very seldom go to. Otherwise I am fine.
 
Make sure you leave your phone in your pocket, use your indicators, check all your mirrors often and check blind spots too when changing lanes.
 
I know how OP feels. All my driving "experience" came from lessons. Don't know how I managed to pass the test.

After I passed, I didn't drive for a year. Ended up at a job where I needed to drive. I was fortunate enough to make a good friend there, so he gave me advice, etc, when we were driving around.

How times have changed...
 
Edelweiss said:
I get nervous when I drive in areas I very seldom go to. Otherwise I am fine.
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Apparently a couple shots of whiskey helps with the nervousness. Try that?

...actually no, don't ever try that. I meant brandy.
 
I was lucky that I got a job for mounties when I started driving.
They got students from varisty and technikon via Student wise.
We drove small red unos or red nissan bakkies from bank to bank collecting cheques to deliver to a processing centre.
I learned to drive like a boss.
 
Mr_M said:
Mornin' chaps.

I received my drivers license a few years back and did not do any driving till a week ago. I recently received a new car and started to drive but it was more difficult than I anticipated. Most of my issues involve stop/start at intersections and inclines, and driving slow with clutch only to get into tight areas and in/out of my garage and driveway.

Any pointers?
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Sure thing.

If drivers are hooting at you they are likely completely correct that you are doing something wrong. Not them, YOU. Turn off the engine and slowly start headbutting the steering wheel until the hooting stops.
Remember orange at an intersection still means go. If you're going fast enough, so does red.
Lane markings are optional guides, ignore them if they're cramping your style.
Similarly when you're parking if half your car is over the line it's fine, it's just a rough guide. Best way to use the space is by parking diagonally actually. If you're driving an SUV or 4x4 don't be a newbie - the paved area right by the mall entrance is your parking area.
If someone cuts you off it's because you were in the way. Stay out the way.
If a cop pulls you over before they even say anything just ask "KFC or Steers?" But remember that metro cops are not real cops, they're like mall security on the road.
If you see black cars with flashing blue lights in your mirrors, DO NOT let them past. They're decoys from the traffic department trying to intimidate drivers into breaking rules. Don't fall for it! Peg it at 30 and make your car as wide as possible.
Taxis must also be kept behind you at all times. You'll figure out why.
Cyclists can be viewed as skill improvement obstacles - aim to pass them as close as you can. They love it. If you should clip one, well you can't make omelets without breaking eggs right.
If you're going to stay the speed limit on highways, keep in the far right lane. You can help other people not speed by doing this.
If you have foglights make sure they're on at all times so people can see you. In fact all lights during daylight hours. Turn them off at night or you might blind someone and cause a crash.
If you're handy with wiring, switch your brake lights and reverse lights. Other drivers will enjoy trying to figure out your configuration.
Randomly hoot at other cars. If the drivers look at you in confusion shrug and point at the car next to you.
The stick on the side of the steering wheel that makes a clicky noise when you push it up or down should be left well alone. No one's ever figured out what it's for.
If you're approaching a backed up intersection but a turn-only lane is empty, use it! You can get all the way to the front in no time. No one cares if you turn or not.
If you see a motorcycle coming up behind you inbetween two lanes, pull over a bit and force him to pick a lane for his own safety.
If you've been drinking but you're SURE you can still handle driving, go for it.

Handy tip: If you cut out your seatbelts you can use them as make-shift tow-ropes.
 
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Mr_M said:
Mornin' chaps.

I received my drivers license a few years back and did not do any driving till a week ago. I recently received a new car and started to drive but it was more difficult than I anticipated. Most of my issues involve stop/start at intersections and inclines, and driving slow with clutch only to get into tight areas and in/out of my garage and driveway.

Any pointers?
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Get an automatic. All those problems will vanish.

Seriously, I started driving auto about 10 years back with my first Audi. Never owned a stick since - and won't again.
 
Was helping my uncle at his Fuji shop some odd years ago. I was 18 at the time with learners and horrible clutch control.

We were driving on the main road from Mowbray to Kirstenhof (Cape Town).

His back gave out in Rondebosch and I had to drive all the way in peak.

Needless to say after that day I never had problems with clutch control again. Sometimes being thrown in the deep end helps a lot.
 
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