Why is driving and parking so hard for so many people?

[Anonymous]

I get that I've been driving for a while and learned to drive in this area, but don't understand why basic things are so hard for so many people.

If you're about to miss your turn, IT'S FINE. The world will not collapse if you miss your turn. Just continue going and turn around. Do NOT try to wedge yourself in or stop the lane of traffic that you're in.

Slower traffic keep right, on all roads with more than 1 lane in each direction. Unless you're turning fairly imminently (not in 2 miles).

Don't park straight or even? IT'S OK. Back out and try again or straighten. If you drive a giant vehicle, you should be parking further away if you can't comfortably and safely fit into a spot.

Crosswalks are not for decoration, especially at stop signs. You have to watch for people, not just cars.

Turn into the lane closest to you, if you're turning right or left.

Check your mirrors every 1-2 seconds.

I truly don't understand why driving is so difficult for so many - even the simplest safety norms and courtesies are difficult for an alarming number of people.

[Anonymous]

Some people actually suck as drivers, but most of the bad drivers just don’t care how other people feel about their driving. The only thing they care about is that they suffer the absolute least inconvenience possible, so yes, they will cut you off, turn left into the path of oncoming traffic, refuse to yield, ignore stop signs, whatever suits them.

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of severe learning disabilities. Depth perception was one that popped up when driving - realizing how much/little space was between me and the car in front of me took a lot more time than it takes others. Spacial awareness was also hard applied to driving - learning not to center my actual body in the middle of the lane, because I sit on the left side of the car when driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a lot of severe learning disabilities. Depth perception was one that popped up when driving - realizing how much/little space was between me and the car in front of me took a lot more time than it takes others. Spacial awareness was also hard applied to driving - learning not to center my actual body in the middle of the lane, because I sit on the left side of the car when driving.

With respect, if these are things (spatial awareness) you could not overcome, then you should not ever be driving until you fully overcome them. Spatial awareness is THE single most important skill to drive safely and responsibly. Not just underestimating, but overestimate space. Not everyone is meant to drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people actually suck as drivers, but most of the bad drivers just don’t care how other people feel about their driving. The only thing they care about is that they suffer the absolute least inconvenience possible, so yes, they will cut you off, turn left into the path of oncoming traffic, refuse to yield, ignore stop signs, whatever suits them.

I'm one of the ones who is just a bad driver. Trust me I hate that I'm that way - hence my apologetic wave after I do something stupid and cut you off on accident because I somehow didn't see you even though it was blaringly obvious.

I've gotten somewhat better over time, but I think the root problem is that it's just hard for me to focus on the world around me and always has been.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people actually suck as drivers, but most of the bad drivers just don’t care how other people feel about their driving. The only thing they care about is that they suffer the absolute least inconvenience possible, so yes, they will cut you off, turn left into the path of oncoming traffic, refuse to yield, ignore stop signs, whatever suits them.

I'm one of the ones who is just a bad driver. Trust me I hate that I'm that way - hence my apologetic wave after I do something stupid and cut you off on accident because I somehow didn't see you even though it was blaringly obvious.

I've gotten somewhat better over time, but I think the root problem is that it's just hard for me to focus on the world around me and always has been.

This is not normal.

You need to rely on a car driving service or use public transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people actually suck as drivers, but most of the bad drivers just don’t care how other people feel about their driving. The only thing they care about is that they suffer the absolute least inconvenience possible, so yes, they will cut you off, turn left into the path of oncoming traffic, refuse to yield, ignore stop signs, whatever suits them.

I'm one of the ones who is just a bad driver. Trust me I hate that I'm that way - hence my apologetic wave after I do something stupid and cut you off on accident because I somehow didn't see you even though it was blaringly obvious.

I've gotten somewhat better over time, but I think the root problem is that it's just hard for me to focus on the world around me and always has been.

NP. Sorry, but this is a BS excuse. You do realize that your inability to see other cars puts the burden on the rest of us to look out for you. Do you have an idea how difficult it is to drive around people like you?? If it's so hard for you to focus that you cannot sit other vehicles on the road, you need to stop driving. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some people actually suck as drivers, but most of the bad drivers just don’t care how other people feel about their driving. The only thing they care about is that they suffer the absolute least inconvenience possible, so yes, they will cut you off, turn left into the path of oncoming traffic, refuse to yield, ignore stop signs, whatever suits them.

I'm one of the ones who is just a bad driver. Trust me I hate that I'm that way - hence my apologetic wave after I do something stupid and cut you off on accident because I somehow didn't see you even though it was blaringly obvious.

I've gotten somewhat better over time, but I think the root problem is that it's just hard for me to focus on the world around me and always has been.

NP. Sorry, but this is a BS excuse. You do realize that your inability to see other cars puts the burden on the rest of us to look out for you. Do you have an idea how difficult it is to drive around people like you?? If it's so hard for you to focus that you cannot sit other vehicles on the road, you need to stop driving. Period.

+1000 PP you should not be driving at all. You are a risk to yourself and everyone around you every time you get behind the wheel.

[Anonymous]

People are in to much of a hurry. Heaven forbid they stay behind a car turning left or merge before the last possible minute.

[Anonymous]

It was a mistake to remove drivers education (classes and behind-the-wheel instruction) from public schools. We are paying for it by having more ignorant and unskilled drivers on the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was a mistake to remove drivers education (classes and behind-the-wheel instruction) from public schools. We are paying for it by having more ignorant and unskilled drivers on the road.

What year did this happen?

We definitely cannot rely on parents to teach their kids how to drive. Or instead, buy their son/daughter a "smart" car with all kinds of safety features, but don't actually teach their kids road etiquette and safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was a mistake to remove drivers education (classes and behind-the-wheel instruction) from public schools. We are paying for it by having more ignorant and unskilled drivers on the road.

ITA!

[Anonymous]

People that back into parking spaces drive me bananas. We’re all have to wait while they make three attempts at it, and their car is still crooked.

[Anonymous]

Driving's an incredibly complex activity and it's actually shocking there aren't even more accidents. You are controlling a huge extension of your body, the edges of which you cannot see, that is moving faster than you ever could in nature and doesn't stop all that well. While you do this you must also watch all the people around you, sometimes using mirrors to do so, and also watch road signs and think about where you're going next. It's culturally normalized to pull this off while also eating, listening to the radio, or talking to somebody in the car (let's not mention texting). And while yes you should keep driving if you miss your turn, in this area that could easily add 15 minutes and we're all scheduled in smaller increments than that and stressed about it. It's frankly not a realistic expectation for the average brain and motor skills.

But just try suggesting that we should close roads to improve walking/biking, or change literally anything about jobs/zoning to minimize driving, and people lose their minds. We really really like our cars here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People that back into parking spaces drive me bananas. We’re all have to wait while they make three attempts at it, and their car is still crooked.

People who back in are the same people who drive slow in the left lane, or slow down and stop in their lane, when the realize they're in the wrong lane and about to miss their turn or exit. Because it's all about them. Screw the rhythm.