If an emergency came up and the only choice to save a life was to drive I would even if I didn't have my license. I can actually drive. If we were doing an interstate trip and DH had a heart attack and we were in the middle of nowhere I wouldn't hesitate to drive to the next house/village. In all my years i have never "needed" to drive but I can drive. If a person gets injured or is desperately ill we call the ambulance, that's what they are for. So that argument doesn't really sway me.
Kim: I agree though it's a great skill to have. So if i do it I'll do it because I want to be as well educated as I can be in all aspects of life. I am a big believer in conquering fears.
Psychologically i have a barrier. It is the impeding other people thing. I was raised with humilation and shame at being a "ball and chain". My mother was very impatient. If I am in somebodies way i will do almost anything to get out of it. I get so incredibly nervous if i am in somebody's way because I expect attack. I am highly observant to this end. I will however stick up for the rights of my children. I know that my 6yo hates the heat just as much as I do and for HIM I would learn to drive.
Being a traffic educator in SA Police I always advise members of the public (young and old) of a few 'life saving tips'...I hope it doesn't come across that I'm typing stuff you already know, but this is just what I ramble on about at work every day .
This is just a shortened version.
1) Assume every other road user is an idiot (props to my Dad for teaching me this one, but I never really got the idea of this until I was driving a Police car at high speed with lights and sirens to distract every other road user ). In these days it is safe to assume other drivers are on drugs or alcohol - I have SA stats to back this up. But how do you know someone else driving near you is fatigued, under the influence (even on certain over the counter medication) etc? You don't. I tell ppl to imagine that if the car in front is going to slam on its brakes - would you be able to stop your's in time?
2) Just because you have a green light - you should still make sure the intersection is clear before entering it; you never know who is on their mobile phone or not paying attention for whatever reason.
3) Watch for cars and trucks that are carrying loads or towing. By law not one load should move AT ALL whilst being towed. I have been to many crashes where loads have shifted etc and ended up flying at the cars behind them. If you're driving near one such vehicle, keep extra safe and increase your following distance from them.\
4) If you've been abused or harrassed by another driver - pull into a service station or fast food outlet. Most of these places have video surveillance and / or are very busy, so much safer to go to (as opposed to driving into your own driveway and showing the person where you live).
5) Is your vehicle roadworthy? Check tyres for legal tread and brakes pads too. You could be the safest driver in the world but without these vitals in working order you leave yourself open to crashes.
6) Observations, observations, observations. I look at the wheels on cars stopped at intersections to make sure they're not moving at all; I look under cars parked on the side of the road to make sure I can't see a little pair of legs waiting to cross the road - kids are unpredictable at times; If the car behind me is too close, I take my foot off of the accellerator so they back off (brake lights tend to make ppl angry lol).
As for kids screaming in the back, if its disturbing you to the point you've gotta take your eyes off the road - pull over to the curb before sorting the issue out. Safety first. I've been to hundreds of crashes, some real tear jerkers too.
Be confident in yourself and your driving ability. Not sure if in your State they have defensive driving courses? But if so that may help you with your confidence too.
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