People over 30 who don't drive

Forest Master

I don't know why this bothers me slightly, but I have a few friends who don't drive - they're around 33/34 - it kinda baffles me as to why.
Why would someone, who can afford it, not want to drive? They still use public transport & moan about it - they're at the mercy of public transport routes & schedules. It would frustrate the hell out of me not being able to go directly where I want in my own time like an adult. There's something a little babyish about it - I dunno - like they still perceive cars to be for "grown-ups". I think one of them is actually afraid.
If they call over to my house, they have to text me what Dart they're on, and then I have to collect them from the station - WTF? The same people always need lifts to weddings down the country or weekends away, stags, etc. I'd feel so helpless bumming lifts all the time. These are grown men - I've been driving since I was 19 (32 now), and public transport really is lame.

Now I'm not referring to people who can't afford it, and I'm not referring to people in their mid-20's or younger who just haven't bothered yet, due to whatever reason they feel like - that's all fine - but these guys are nearly mid-30s and look like they'll never drive! They have kids too and their wives/girlfriends do all the driving. It strikes me as odd!

Just wondering if this bothers (maybe "slightly irks" is more appropriate) anyone else, and if anyone else has a few friends out of their group who just never learned to drive?

desaparecidos

Some people are just inferior to others, why we will never know

Captain Darling

I work with a guy in his thirties who has never learned to drive. His wife drives him around the place. He doesnt seem too bothered about it, but jaysus it has to be an awful pain in the hole for the wife.

phasers

I always thought that everyone wanted to drive, the minute I turned 17 I was begging for lessons. Turns out some people are afraid of driving.

Johnny Favourite

Weird just weird.

My brother in law is in his mid 30s and refuses to drive. My sister had to learn to drive and now she has to ferry the kids every where and he can do nothing. Nothing. Useless prick.

Einhard

Some poeple are born to drive, some people are born to be driven.

Like me! Driving oneself is for the plebian masses!








(Any chance of a lift into town later??)

Kasabian

I have a brother that refuses to learn to drive, he just has an irrational fear of it. He is fine as a passenger but won't for the life of him get behind the wheel of the Hiace.

Einhard

Johnny Favourite wrote: »

Weird just weird.

My brother in law is in his mid 30s and refuses to drive. My sister had to learn to drive and now she has to ferry the kids every where and he can do nothing. Nothing. Useless prick.

He's doing your sister!!:pac:

And with 2 kids already, his prick is far from useless!!:D

Proxy

Not everyone needs to own a vehicle. When i'm at home in the country I could drive, when i'm in Dublin city I have no need to.

Just cause you *can* do something doesn't mean you *have to*. A bit like buying a house where you could just rent.

Forest Master

phasers wrote: »

I always thought that everyone wanted to drive, the minute I turned 17 I was begging for lessons.

Exactly the same with me - it was like every boys dream when they were younger - the freedom it would bring - cinema, hanging around, smoking in parking lots, etc! I took a credit union loan when I was 18 so I could pay the extra insurance fees just to be a named driver on my Dad's car!

My brother in law is in his mid 30s and refuses to drive. My sister had to learn to drive and now she has to ferry the kids every where and he can do nothing. Nothing. Useless prick.

Yeah, this^^. It almost seems like an excuse to not take on certain adult responsibilities that go with driving: dropping off kids, school runs, groceries, dry cleaners, prescriptions - in fact - almost EVERYTHING! He gets driven around like a kid - it must feel so demeaning.

CreepingDeath

I've no problem with women who refuse to drive, it's for the greater good and all.

Men who refuse to drive, and are over 30 are strange.
I know a few indirectly.

I reckon they're either
a) lacking in basic hand-eye coordination
b) worried they will get too angry with road rage
c) afraid of doing it wrong and causing an accident

Up-n-atom!

I'm mid-20s, and just started driving last month - I'm getting there! I put it off long enough, really can't wait til I have my own car and a bit more independence. Speaking to people around my age it's surprising how many still haven't driven. Most of them have different priorities at the mo, though. I think there is a fear for people who have, for whatever reason, left it until later in life. Maybe they were put off by early attempts with cranky relatives in the passenger seat, who knows?

My mam can't drive either (well, she can but is quite nervous and 'chooses not to') so I think that set a precedent for me. If I ever have my own kids I'll be pushing them to drive as early as possible, I think it's best to learn when you're young and fearless.

Lux23

I don't want to learn to drive, don't see the point.

Agricola

I don't mind people in towns and cities who don't bother with a car. Often its an unnecessary luxury. What pisses me of is people out the country who don't drive. Friend of mine only bothered to learn how to drive at around 30, just because he could no longer completely rely on friends and family to chauffeur him around any more. He was basically forced into it. It was pure laziness. He of course saved alot of money on petrol, tax and insurance. Im sure that was a minor factor too!

I suppose some people value abit of independence when it comes to getting places. Others are happy to be passengers forever.

phasers

What if someday you'll need to get somewhere urgently and you can't get a lift?

whydoibother?

I know a couple in this age bracket. Neither of them drive (by choice - they both can) and both rely on public transport. Because it's both of them it doesn't really put an unfair burden on one. They have yet to have kids though. don't know if that will change their minds.

Alter-Ego

Car's are huge money holes. I'm 22 and I was going to get a car last year but its about 1K for the car then another 2K on Insurance then whatever the tax is on top. Then you have to Pay for petrol. The Insurance is the biggest killer.
I decided to rely on public transport and cycling.

Having said that, there is no excuse for a guy 30+ with a wife (who already owns a car) and kids who can't/wont drive. Anyone like that needs a kick up the funking backside.

mikemac

Forest Master wrote: »

If they call over to my house, they have to text me what Dart they're on,

Well there it is, he lives in a county with Bus Éireann, a dedicated bus service, luas, nitelink (soon to be ended?) and a train service.
Any county in Ireland would love these services

If you live in a city, a car isn't the best way to get around anyway.
A scooter is great fun too Though not so good with two children.

robinph

Passed my test donkeys years ago and until very recently managed to survive perfectly happily with just the use of planes/ trains/ buses/ taxis and a rubbish 50cc. The only reason I've now got use of a 4 wheeled vehicle is because I have been given one for free. Used to get most places I'd be traveling quicker by bus or 50cc than you would in a car, and cheaper as well.

Cheap Thrills!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQw6y96bJpo

kowloon

Got motorcycle licence at 17, never felt the need to get a car licence. May get one some day, but I'm set in my ways and can't understand how people can keep track of all that extra car on their left side.

ilovesleep

Not in my 30s. late 20s i am. the driving test system is a money making racket. when i started learning to drive i wanted to do it properly because learning how to drive was something i was going to once. i went from driving instructor to driving instructor to get the best for me. Then i spent a small fortune on weekly lessons. first driving test - nerves got to me. second i improved greatly but failed. third test - i failed by one or two marks. i really dont get how driving testers give you a list of faults and will not explain how and where you went wrong. how is one to learn from their mistakes? The driving test system is corrupt. But no surprise there considering the government we have. I really hope driving testers are struggling badly in this recession. I'd rather walk for life until my legs fall off me before I give another cent to the driving test system.

Captain Darling

feelingstressed wrote: »

Well there it is, he lives in a county with Bus Éireann, a dedicated bus service, luas, nitelink (soon to be ended?) and a train service.
Any county in Ireland would love these services

If you live in a city, a car isn't the best way to get around anyway.
A scooter is great fun too Though not so good with two children.

Its not really feasible in any part of this country to not have a car. The public transport is chronic here.

robinph

Captain Darling wrote: »

Its not really feasible in any part of this country to not have a car.

Yes it is.

niallb

CreepingDeath wrote: »

I've no problem with women who refuse to drive, it's for the greater good and all.

Men who refuse to drive, and are over 30 are strange.
I know a few indirectly.

I reckon they're either
a) lacking in basic hand-eye coordination
b) worried they will get too angry with road rage
c) afraid of doing it wrong and causing an accident

d) Unwilling not to have a few pints

ICE HOUSE

Maybe because they have seen how sh*te the standard of driving is here and prefer to live a few years longer than dying early of cardiac arrest from the stress of it. Also the'll have to walk to the public transport stops or stations which is also healthier.
They dont get hit with ridiculous Insurance premiums, tax, petrol prices, tolls, parking fees, ntc and so on.
They can enjoy a drink anytime and dont have to worry bout leaving the car overnight somewhere.
They are not causing as much damage to the environment.
I dont know just a few off the top of me head....

phasers

So how do all you smug non-drivers get to a far away area that isn't serviced by public transport?

Sprrratt

They're on drugs probably.

McCruiskeen

I'm 29 and have never learned to drive. I cycle everywhere. I could easily afford a car but...

1. I like the exercise and if I buy a car I know I will get lazy.
2. Cars cost a bloody lot to run and insure I would rather keep the cash for myself.
3. I feckin hate traffic
4. I can drink and drive - WAHAY
5. Feigned environmental concern

Maybe If i have kids in a few years a car might become a necessity but until then why the hell would I want a car.

Yawns

It could be down to this OP.


They don't want to?

I mean who cares if that guy is 33 and doesn't drive. Maybe he failed his theory test(s) and doesn't want to admit it as he'd be the butt of jokes down the pub, maybe he thinks the public transport is better and cheaper than a car. He'll be more right about this if FG get in and higher the vat and everything else...

Kasabian

Lux23 wrote: »

I don't want to learn to drive, don't see the point.

I recommend you learn to drive. It is freedom.

ilovesleep

Captain Darling wrote: »

The public transport is chronic here.

Bus eireann is dire. As far as i remember, a few years ago a bus company wanted to come in and operate in ireland but the government wouldnt allow it because it would have been a threat to bus eireann and CIE.

Yawns

phasers wrote: »

So how do all you smug non-drivers get to a far away area that isn't serviced by public transport?

There's trains, planes, buses, taxis, bikes or these funny two things called legs that funnily enough more of the population of Ireland has than cars.

Yawns

Kasabian wrote: »

I recommend you learn to drive. It is freedom.

But it's not free freedom. It's expensive freedom.

Yawns

When I was only 16 I used to go from Dublin to Cork, Galway, Kerry, Waterford etc with some friends. No driving ourselves. It was bus into city center, bus eireann or train. Then when we get to the station, we walked to where we were going as we couldn't really afford taxis, low budgets

Dord

I'm in my mid 20s and only learning to drive now. I live in the city and dony really need to. As someone mentioned previously, it's a luxury. Still can't wait to get a car now though.

Up de Barrs

I can understand someone not owning a car, I often thought it would be cheaper to rent a car for the weekends when you are going on a long journey and just rely on public transport and the odd taxi the rest of the time (I know there are places where that might not be possible). On the other hand never learning to drive just seems daft to me.

punchdrunk

I'm 29
I work in the city
I live about 20 minutes by bus from the city thanks to the bus lanes
if I drove i'd have to get up for work earlier and sit in traffic on the Malahide rd
I'd have to pay for parking
I can have a few pints after work and not worry about leaving my car in the city
I'd only get 2 days a week to actually go anywhere useful in the car,but since i work in retail i'm normally off work when all my mates aren't home so there's nobody to spin out to see on my days off
so basically I don't want to pay for a car for it to sit unused in the garden for 5 days a week costing me money

Forest Master

ICE HOUSE wrote: »

Maybe because they have seen how sh*te the standard of driving is here and prefer to live a few years longer than dying early of cardiac arrest from the stress of it.

That's a terrible excuse - just as many passengers, cyclists & pedestrians get killed as drivers. If it's because of "the danger", then they need to live in a marshmallow house and never leave.

Also they'll have to walk to the public transport stops or stations which is also healthier.

Yeah, and they also have the pleasure of doing it in all sorts of weather, followed by standing around. I drive - but I can go for walks too - when I choose to though - and when the weather is nice... and I also choose where to walk. Their route is to the bus stop. Hardly a 'perk'.

They dont get hit with ridiculous Insurance premiums, tax, petrol prices, tolls, parking fees, ntc and so on.

It costs money to drive - that's not a revelation. I did say that in my first post; that I wasn't including people who couldn't afford it.

They can enjoy a drink anytime and dont have to worry bout leaving the car overnight somewhere.

If I'm going out, I leave my car at home. Simple.
A car isn't a burden that you're attached to all the time, y'know? It gives you options - it's independence. I can drive to anywhere in the country right now if I wanted - non drivers don't have that freedom. I can rent cars when on holidays - they can't.

They are not causing as much damage to the environment.

That's true. But is that the reason any of them would give as to why they don't drive? Doubt it.

Your excuses are lame!

Aishae

i never had any burning desire to drive. i was happy getting around by myself and for the most part i didnt need lifts. i walked to work etc. but at 22/23 i said ill give it a go. no problem with anything until i took the test. nerves didnt help me. for everyy test after that they either didnt know i was deaf and didnt want to get in a car with me (despite me putting it on the form that i was deaf and had people ring to check they knew) thenb being failed for what seemed to be the instructors own discomfort i was in bits... the nbext time they finally got a bloody signing instructor. but i was a nervous wreck from all the sh*te by then. so i faile on a minor point. id spent a bloody fortune on tests and pretests and lessons. then i had to sell the car cos my sight just isnt what it was (peripheral vision) so i said eff it at least i live in dublin.

i miss my car. but i do save a fortune.. if everyone drove the traffic will only get worse

Crasp

Anyone who can afford a taxi to go places regularly has more than enough money to own and run a car/bike.



Public transport in Ireland is a joke. Anyone who has lived abroad for more than a week will know this.



If I had to commute into a city, I would take the motorbike. You would be mad to take a car, unless it's brimmed with things you need for work or filled with people car pooling.

Pauleta

My mother and father are in their 50s and cant drive (think my da has a forklift licence :cool:) Im 25 and have no intention in getting a car unless i have enough money for a serious car like a Lambo or a Ferrari. Getting the bus is a pain in the arse, mainly due to the type of weirdo's it attracts but i honestly have no intention or urge for a car. Maybe i was just brought up with the fact that nobody in the family drives so ive never felt the need for my own transport.

ICE HOUSE

Forest Master wrote: »

That's a terrible excuse - just as many passengers, cyclists & pedestrians get killed as drivers. If it's because of "the danger", then they need to live in a marshmallow house and never leave.


Yeah, and they also have the pleasure of doing it in all sorts of weather, followed by standing around. I drive - but I can go for walks too - when I choose to though - and when the weather is nice... and I also choose where to walk. Their route is to the bus stop. Hardly a 'perk'.


It costs money to drive - that's not a revelation. I did say that in my first post; that I wasn't including people who couldn't afford it.


If I'm going out, I leave my car at home. Simple.
A car isn't a burden that you're attached to all the time, y'know? It gives you options - it's independence. I can drive to anywhere in the country right now if I wanted - non drivers don't have that freedom. I can rent cars when on holidays - they can't.


That's true. But is that the reason any of them would give as to why they don't drive? Doubt it.

Your excuses are lame!

eh I dont care if you think its lame. I drive myself, I was merely giving a few reasons why people might not drive with a hint of sarcasm :rolleyes:

Forest Master

ICE HOUSE wrote: »

eh I dont care if you think its lame. I drive myself, I was merely giving a few reasons why people might not drive with a hint of sarcasm :rolleyes:

Apologies.

skyhighflyer

I think everyone should learn to drive and have a driver's licence, but whether someone actually goes and spends the money on a car or not is a matter for them.

I've had a full licence since I was 17, but now I live in the city it's far better for me to just rent a car if I need to go down the country for a weekend or whatever.

I wish they'd bring in a system like ZipCar or a car club like they have in the UK where you can become a member and then just pay by the hour to use any one of a number of cars dotted around the city.

Aishae

some people just dont want to DRIVE and dont feel a need to.
if you have kids then its a bit silly if neither of you drive. it'd help if someone does. but seriously, how do you think we managed 50 years ago - ireland was the same size then as it is now and public transport was worse then. even 20 odd years ago. my folks didnt drive - we didnt have the money and most people in the 80's didnt have a car. dad could drive since he was a teen but didnt get a car till 15 years ago. and we used to manage. trains buses etc. the congestion on irish roads can be a joke during the peak hours.

Crasp

Also, IMO, getting a driving licence is an essential part of life. One should not take to the roads, be it as a pedestrian or a cyclict or a driver, without knowing how to use them properly.


As human beings we should strive to educate ourselves in all fields. Sure, school is forced upon us. But there is so much that we, as intelligent people, need to know outside of school education. For example first aid. Political education. Sexual education. Nutrition and diet. These are things which arent taugh in schools, but we should all know about for life in general. I would include driving in this.

Gloomtastic!

CreepingDeath wrote: »

I've no problem with women who refuse to drive, it's for the greater good and all.

Men who refuse to drive, and are over 30 are strange.
I know a few indirectly.

I reckon they're either
a) lacking in basic hand-eye coordination
b) worried they will get too angry with road rage
c) afraid of doing it wrong and causing an accident

I didn't learn until I was 40 for all of the above reasons. If you saw the state of
my car I think you'd agree with me. Thankfully haven't hit anybody yet but I did run over a blackbird yesterday :-(

Must admit I do enjoy driving now which is lucky because I'm never out of the bloody thing with all the ferrying kids about.

anotherlostie

Some people have medical reasons like epilepsy or sight related problems but don't feel the need to tell everyone that's why they don't drive.

senorwipesalot

the right honourable cnut maggie thatcher once said any one who doesnt own a car by age 30 is a failure.

Forest Master

skyhighflyer wrote: »

I think everyone should learn to drive and have a driver's licence, but whether someone actually goes and spends the money on a car or not is a matter for them.

I've had a full licence since I was 17, but now I live in the city it's far better for me to just rent a car if I need to go down the country for a weekend or whatever.

I wish they'd bring in a system like ZipCar or a car club like they have in the UK where you can become a member and then just pay by the hour to use any one of a number of cars dotted around the city.

Fully agree.

Let me just re-iterate that my original post was about people not being able to drive - actually owning a car is their own business. Being able to drive is a skill that everyone should know in a modern society.