How many parents here don't drive?

[Gordie]

In this post, waccoe said ...

I've been wondering for a while how many parents here don't drive (it's cropped up a few times in various threads) and if I knew how, I'd have done a poll !

So as she couldn't do it herself, I thought I would! (And I just kinda liked the idea of making a poll, since I've never that here before. )

 

Hopefully I've put all the options in that she wanted ... or perhaps I put too many in!

 

James

Edited July 13, 2005 by Gordie

[KarenT]

I'd never got round to learning to drive right up to the point when James was born. However, it was my intention to learn once he was born while I was on maternity leave, but my ME struck within a few weeks and I was never well enough after that. I've certainly regretted it, particularly as my husband works shifts and there's often a car parked at the door and James and I are stuck in the house with nowhere to go because we can't get out on our own. I'm sure things would be so much easier if I were mobile.

 

Karen

x

[lil_me]

I didn't feel the need to drive, until my ASD son decided that he would throw himself of buses on several occasions, he will jump off if there is a noise, if someone laughs, can be anything, but got dangerous so decided to learn to drive. Passed my test in October last year, no regrets.

[call me jaded]

The logistics of the school run and getting home to meet my son's bus mean I have to borrow a car if mine is off the road for any reason.

[Zemanski]

had a row with my dad about having two driving lessons for my 18th birthday - all I asked for, just so I could do test technique.

He saw it as an affront to his manhood and a slur on his ability to drive - he never actually had a test and I knew I was learning stuff that would fail me in a test.

 

funny thing is I only had 2 or 3 lessons with him because I ended up in tears every time so it was my mum who actually taught me!

 

so I didn't take the test and I stopped driving.

 

finally got lessons through the family fund last year (now I'm 41) - my test is in 2 weeks time

 

Zemanski

[sylv]

I never have learned to drive...alright...I had two attempts in Luxembourg where we lived before, only problem was the examinator(hope that is the right spelling). He asked my driving teacher what language I am talking in while sitting in the back. I was so kind and answered this question and said: "you may talk in luxembourgian with me please"...he didnt let me pass the test, because I didnt overtake a lorry which was driving like mad and in sinuous lines on the motorway. So I thought it would be too risky to overtake and that was it....

 

Anyway, I sometimes have the intention to try it again...but need still some encouragement...I guess.

 

Sylv

[Guest flutter]

i failed my test 3 times when pg with 1st child, he will be 15 soon

i can drive just cant pass test lol.

cos of other health issues i never went back to it

C x

[smallworld]

Aw, thanks Gordie !

I've just voted !

I think I'm onto something here ( another get out clause, and the excuse to keep my chauffeurs !)

 

cheers, wac

[kazzdt]

I could not, for one minute, imagine what it would be like if I did not drive. My dad taught me, and my mum and 2 sisters. Patience of a saint, my dad!

 

 

 

 

Kazz

[mandyque]

I found it a complete nightmare to use buses with my dd in her major buggy. I complained numerous times to the bus company and had blazing rows with people, drivers and passengers over vacating the disabled access areas on the buses for our benefit (not other disabled folk I hasten to add). There are notices on the buses stating that the spaces are prioritised for disabled people but nobody bothered to enforce them. More than once I was left at the bus stop because nobody would let me on with her and worse still, a physically disabled man with an electric wheelchair was refused the space one time and was left stranded in freezing cold rain

 

As time went on it became intolerable and I became too anxious and upset to go on buses so when I heard that Family Fund would help with driving lessons I jumped at the chance. DD was entitled to high rate mobility so as soon as I passed my test we were off to choose a fantastic car. That was 3.5 years ago and I've never looked back. I couldn't continue with the stress and the advantages of having the car have been huge, dd loves to go for drives and I find it 100% easier to get things done and have saved loads of time and stress.

[Lisajb]

Had three goes at it between the ages of 17 and 18, failed every one, always something different (was not a Maureen from Driving School who couldn't get the hang of the gearbox!), then gave up! Hubby says he would buy me whatever I like if I try again and pass (which would be a Toyota Celica) but still not quite ready to try again!

 

Lisa

[Jericho]

I've had lessons in the past but sadly I have absolutely NO sense of direction. People start off my assuring me "But it can't be THAT bad!" Minutes later they're in hysterics because even on foot I keep going the wrong way.

 

I think someone somewhere was having a bit of a laugh when they sent me two children who have an almost uncanny ability to remember routes etc.

[Amanda32]

I passed my test but have stopped driving as im a very nervous driver anyway. Out on the road im not that confident and it shows and not that keen going out walking alone either I get very anxious ALOT. Never say never not going behind the wheel but its been 2 yrs and hopefully I will get the courage to do it again and get my independence back. Goodluck to anyone that is learning at the moment or recently passed their test Good for you all, it doesn't matter whether anyone as a ASD your just as good as anyone else to get a licence. I just been invited to a birthday party this weekend but not looking forward to it. Id rather say to my hubby take the kids and I will stay at home. It's going to be very hard for me socialising as gatherings etc are not for me as want to get out of there...Sorry to go on just been worrying about it like I always do....

Take care all

Amanda

Edited July 13, 2005 by Amanda32

[Viper]

Right, the reason's I don't drive.

 

All of the above.

 

Yup, thats right I've tried it but didn't like it, several times.

 

No sense of direction

 

wouldn't trust myself not to get distracted with kids in the car.

 

Self diagnosed dyslexia, so left and right are a bit confusing when I have to think fast. Plus other implications, like map reading, sign reading excetera.

 

I'm already getting fat, so driving a car would mean less walking = more fat.

 

Can't aford two lot's of car tax, insurance and all the crash repairs I would run up.

 

It would cause so much trouble trying to find a car I have parked. I can never remember where my husband has parked so I would end up walking home anyway.

 

and I am doing my bit to stop global warming.

 

To sum up, I just can't do it.

 

Viper.

[Gordie]

And to sum up the voting, it looks like it's roughly 50/50 among the parents here! Half are driving, and half aren't!

 

So there's your answer, waccoe!

 

James

[smallworld]

trouble is, I now have some pretty convincing reasons NOT to drive !!

Need to mull this over further.......

Actually, thinking about this poll, what is the percentage of adults that do drive ?

Going on the people I know, it must be 80% or more ?

thanks again for doing this poll, it's been fascinating

 

wac

[CarerQuie]

I'm glad that I'm a driver.the car went in for some work recently and relying on the vagaries of local public transport was a nightmare.xx

[niki]

no offence intended to the driving population as a whole but, there are enough pillocks on the road without me adding to it!

[smallworld]

I think you've summed up my feelings there Niki !

This topic could run and run (as fast as our pedestrian legs can carry us !) or at least until everyone has posted, and then we'll have some firm statisitics to further excuse my inability to drive.

The trouble is my huge guilt factor tells me I should try to learn so I can drive my dad around when he no longer can, and also so I can provide a taxi service to my kids once they are teenagers ! (in which case, I only have a year to get my act together, arrrgh !

[lorryw]

Ive just discovered that motability will pay a grant towards driving lessons. We use my sons motability allowance to lease a car and it is under my name. However, I dont drive, husband does. Sometimes I worry that if for any reason husband could no longer drive we would be completely stuck.

To be honest though Im a complete woose and the thought of driving is pretty scarey. I was looking forward to the days of self driving cars (as seen on Tomorrows World may moons ago) where you just programme in where you want to go and off you go!!

Anyway just thought Id let anyone else with a mobility vehicle know about the lesson grant scheme.

Loraine

[Zemanski]

just failed my test - drunk walked out in front of me on a round about

 

didn't get him though

 

zemanski

[nellie]

Oh dear! Maybe you will get him next time!!

 

Have a drink to drown your sorrows.

 

Nellie xx

[TuX]

My parents don't drive,because they're too stingy with money to bother buying a car,not too bad though as there are trains,buses,trams,and planes to be used for public transport in the local area.

 

just failed my test - drunk walked out in front of me on a round about

You were failed because of someone elses fault? ridiculous.

It shouldn't be the drivers' fault if a pedestrian just decides to walk out in front of the car,giving no time to stop.

[Suze]

, Don,t give up Zemanski keep up and re-apply for another test ,

[Minxygal]

I passed my test only three months ago.

 

I started having lessons five years ago with BSM but to be honest when they were telling me I was ready for my test I fell to pieces, I think there was so much going on with the boys at the time that I really couldn't handle taking it, so I didn't.

 

I started lessons again about 5 nmonths ago. I booked my test before I took them and although the instructor said I was ready I still didn't feel that confident. I worked myself up into a frenzy before the test and failed. I put straiight back in for it and passed three weeks later with flying colours.

 

As I have said I've had my license for three months now and it's great that I can help out more with the school runs but even more great that one of us can stay at home with the boys while the other goes off shopping.

 

My biggest fear......I had nightmares before taking my test. I was really worried about one thing, not about crashing or hurting someone I was scared that with my new found freedom I would get in my car one day and just drive away and keep driving, away from my mad house and the constraints it forces upon me.-