Driving Problem

LegacyUser

Hi, a family member of mine is having a problem and I'm really at a loss as to how to comfort/advise her.
Basically she seems to have lost all her confidence as a driver. She's in her 40s, and had her own cars for about a decade, so not her whole adult life. She used to be fairly happy with long distance driving but now she drives to work and thats about it. She's had a few minor incidents with knocking into other cars and things like that, but nothing serious thankfully. Her attitude is completely changed now, she gets worked up over the smallest driving mistake she makes. It's really getting to her (she says things like she'll have to give it up) and it's hard to see. I've heard about Advanced Driving Courses, which are apparenltly good for brushing up on the basics and, more importantly, building confidence as a driver. I looked around the internet and while I saw plenty about advanced tests, there doesn't seem to be much detail about actual courses or seminars or anything like that. Dublin area BTW.
Does anyone have experience with anything like this, or know anybody who had a similar problem? I'd really appreciate any replies.
Thanks.

The_Conductor

I've done an advanced driving test- in an attempt to get much better insurance quotes, as I was tired of being ripped off just because I drive a large car. You should note that its an advanced course teaching you how to perceive other drivers and road users, and the potential risks and hazards they entail. The cert is mandatory for Gardai (though there are a massive number who have yet to do it), and recommended for other emergency drivers etc.

There are a number of "advanced driving courses" as oppossed to advanced driving tests out there. I got a leaflet in the door from the Irish School of Motoring a while back- I'm sure there are others.......

If you ring your own insurance company they normally have a list of suggested courses that they occasionally suggest to people.

qz

Might be better suited to the Learning to Drive Forum.

Madame Razz

Try nifast, they run advanced driving courses all over the country; have done two and they are defiantely worthwhile and do build confidence...I did the second course after an accident and it really helped!!

dudara

I'm happy to leave this thread in PI for now as long as posters focus on offering suggestions on how to help the person described become a more confident driver.

OP, has she become more retiring / less confident in any other aspects of her life, besides the driving?

Tony Broke

After driving an automatic car for a while and going back to manual, I have to say that an automatic car is much much better safety wise.Its just so relaxing.You put it into drive, take off and you have two hands on the wheel at all times, it even makes congested city driving a pleasure.

I would seriously urge your mother to try it out.

The_Conductor

Tony Broke wrote: »

After driving an automatic car for a while and going back to manual, I have to say that an automatic car is much much better safety wise.Its just so relaxing.You put it into drive, take off and you have two hands on the wheel at all times, it even makes congested city driving a pleasure.

I would seriously urge your mother to try it out.

To be totally honest- if the big issue is a few tiffs, rear-ends, car-park bumps etc, which I am guessing it is- an automatic may in fact be worse- as it can encourage complacency in drivers. Its lovely on an open road- as indeed is an intuitive cruise control function which you can get on some manual models- but neither make the driver inherently safer on the road.

Also if you ask around- its very much a matter of personal preference- some people would rather an automatic, others a manual gear shift.

Ps- Automatics tend to be significantly less fuel efficient than their manual equivalents.

Tony Broke

smccarrick wrote: »

To be totally honest- if the big issue is a few tiffs, rear-ends, car-park bumps etc, which I am guessing it is- an automatic may in fact be worse- as it can encourage complacency in drivers. Its lovely on an open road- as indeed is an intuitive cruise control function which you can get on some manual models- but neither make the driver inherently safer on the road.

Also if you ask around- its very much a matter of personal preference- some people would rather an automatic, others a manual gear shift.

Ps- Automatics tend to be significantly less fuel efficient than their manual equivalents.

All true of course, but it driving an automatic is so easy that it breeds confidence imo.You dont have to worry about gear changing and your two hands can remain on the wheel at all times, which will of course make for safer driving.

I just found automatics much more hassle free, thus adds confidence.

metrovelvet

smccarrick wrote: »

To be totally honest- if the big issue is a few tiffs, rear-ends, car-park bumps etc, which I am guessing it is- an automatic may in fact be worse- as it can encourage complacency in drivers. Its lovely on an open road- as indeed is an intuitive cruise control function which you can get on some manual models- but neither make the driver inherently safer on the road.

This is absolute bull****. I drive an automatic as does most of the US, and it does not encourage complacency, if anything you can focus on the road without the mechanics of clutching and shifting.

LegacyUser

dudara wrote: »

I'm happy to leave this thread in PI for now as long as posters focus on offering suggestions on how to help the person described become a more confident driver.

OP, has she become more retiring / less confident in any other aspects of her life, besides the driving?

hmm, hard to say. I wouldn't say so, but the driving thing is really a recurring issue. Thanks for the quick replies BTW

The_Conductor

metrovelvet wrote: »

This is absolute bull****. I drive an automatic as does most of the US, and it does not encourage complacency, if anything you can focus on the road without the mechanics of clutching and shifting.

If you read my post- I specifically mentioned minor tiffs and carpark prangs. Before you call my response bull****- please show that driving an automatic does not make these more likely. From talking to a US auto insurance accessor- she is of the opinion that like for like, you are 15-20% more likely to incur a small accident below excess levels in an automatic, than you are in a manual. I don't have industry wide figures- nor do I know where to find them- but calling my comment bull**** isn't really fair- unless you are in a position to dispute it with irrevocable facts.

Ps- I also pointed out how nice it was on the open road, along with the intuitive cruise control systems- but that its far less fuel efficient. I wasn't bashing automatics at all- I was simply implying that a string of minor accidents is likely to need remedial action, other than changing her car type.

Wibbs

metrovelvet ease up on the BS accusations towards other posters, even if you're correct. Keep it nice and all that.

Liam Byrne

OP - I wish more people were as conscientious as your family member. Most people who put dents and knocks in other people's cars don't seem to give a crap.

Tony Broke

You can get Parking sensors that are placed on the boot and make a little beep when you are getting close to a car or wall.

I drove a Rover 75 with one and they do help out.I dont know how much they cost, but they arent that expensive, maybe €200.

Edit:

You can get them on ebay quite cheap and fitting them shouldnt be that difficult.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/REAR-CAR-PARKING-REVERSING-SENSORS-KIT-FOUR-SENSOR-KIT_W0QQitemZ370100676451QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370100676451&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1308&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14