Safe Speed Forums

What do you like about driving?

On the face of it a pretty simple (and probably absurd) question, but nevertheless one that I found fairly hard to answer when I was asked earlier today.

I like the following:

• The sensation of control and mastery. The more precise and far-reaching the control the better. I plan to take control of all the traffic around me too.
• The usefulness of being able to go anywhere, anytime, in comfort with goods and/or passengers
• The sensations of cornering and acceleration.
• The involvement and concentration.
• I think I enjoy the respite from all of life's other little responsibilities. Because driving is important and immediate, "other stuff" - perhaps like paying bills - is entirely off the menu.
• It's stimulating to have a constantly changing scene. I enjoy being a passenger in a car and hardly ever become bored. If asked to sit still in an empty room I'd be climbing up the walls with boredom in five minutes flat.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Paul,

I almost find it theraputic sometimes such as a drive on a quiet back road on a summers night where you seem to 'lock' into the car and all your concentration is 100%, not going at the speed of light of course just spirited progress. Usually by the time i'm set in good progress and enjoying it a boy racer appears on my tail intent on (killing himself) going as fast as he can achieve on each corner.

I also like learning new stuff and learning from mistakes, there's always a surprise round every corner...literally!

Andrew

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It's a scam........or possibly a scamola


Homer Simpson

I don't know what it is, but I love it. I'll drive anything from a ride on lawn mower to a £160K combine harvester.

I do like the noise a heathy engine makes under load as well. I'm a world class worrier and I can get in my car, put the Chilli Peppers on and every thing seems better. It's not unknown for me to spend 12 hours on me tractor then go for a lap of M25 to ease the stress of the day (it's a good road late at night).

Me too.

I passed my test at 17. Owned three cars before my 18th birthday!

There has never been a time since then that I have not had at least one car to drive. I have always had at least one "project" on the go.

I have built cars (including a chevy powered model T) Built drag racers, built circuit racers. I work in the automotive industry.

Now I have extended this to motorbikes.

like I say "if I had to try and explain, you wouldn't understand"...

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Speed camera policy Kills

OK guys,

I confess. I'm another one that's done a lap of the M25 for the hell of it.

We love driving and we don't know why. Suddenly the question becomes much more compelling. I reckon we owe it to ourselves to understand much much better.

What is it about driving that we love (or like)? Why do we love (or like) driving?

What about the list I gave in the first post? Does that gel with anyone?

Perhaps driving appeals to our ancient hunting instincts?

Perhaps there's something in our subconscious that "likes to be kept busy"?

Perhaps we love to tame the beast?

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I feel a bit of an outcast here... in that I can take or leave driving.

I've never rallied, never had a track day, never owned other than standard saloon/estate cars (ok - getting progressively gruntier and faster as I go through life, but still not a sports car).

I hate queues. If there is likelihood of traffic jams June drives. My temperament won't cope readily.

Another possible point for Paul's list...

The search for unattainable perfection. You can drive for a lifetime and never stop learning - however close you might strive to come, you will never actually make the "perfect" drive. Thus it reflects the very best aspects of life, whilst simultaneously presenting us with a challenge that lasts a lifetime.

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CSCP Latin for beginners...
Ticketo ergo sum : I scam therefore I am!

So do I - I plan to take remote control of all the traffic around me! Seriously, I'd enjoy it more if I could just tell the car where to go and let me up when I'm there. That way, I could use the time to read books, drink wine and watch telly!

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I stole this .sig

You could always use public transport... You can do these things on the train.

Or in the drivers seat if you are a rep...

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Speed camera policy Kills

It was the mid '80's. I was a passanger in my dad's Audi Quattro - I'd have been in my early teens at the time. We were travelling on the twisty, tunnelled section of the A7 autostrada that joins Milan with the Mediterranean coast of Italy.

We spotted two cars up ahead - obviously disguised prototypes (the sort of thing you see in the spy shots section of 'Auto Express' magazine). I got out my camera and my dad accelarated to get a better look.

When the 'prototipi' saw us approaching (in a white Audi Quattro - apparently the best known spy shot photographer of the time was a German chap who also had one!) they took off like the proverbial bats out of hell.

What followed was some of the most thrilling motoring moments of my life. If anyone knows the road they will know how challenging it is to drive at +120mph, not mentioning the proximity of the tunnel walls and the backdrop of the Appenine mountains!

Turned out the cars we were following (nay, pursuing - and eventually caught) were Ferrari engined Lancia Thema 8.32's out on a test run.

It's my favourite 'car culture' story.

I enjoy riding my Bike a whole lot more than I enjoy driving. Driving enjoyment for me depends on the journey and traffic situation. Yes I gain satisfaction from driving well and am always looking to improve but I cannot comprehend taking to the M25 just for the hell of it, even if it were quiet. On my bike traffic is never a problem except for the numpties on dual carriageways hogging the outside lane. The road is more of a challenge, from the surface itself to the camber to the shape of the bend. Whilst these are important in a car they take on a whole new relevance on a bike. To make the point I work 16 miles from home (Oakham to Wittering) with a nice mix of A roads and a short stretch of A1. In the car I travel 16 miles, on the bike it is frequently 40 to 50 miles. even in the wet ( And no I don't get lost) On a bike you feel much more alone and much more aware of your surroundings because of your vulnerability but also because there are No Distractions no Mobile phone, no Radio, no kids, no wife (That you can hear anyway .)

Just my take on it!

Max

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Tailgaters - Please Pass
You have an Accident to go to!

Er ... do you mind us asking, but how many did you sell on, and how many did you trash?

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Keep right on to the end of the road ...

Have always enjoyed driving and often go places as much for the drive as the destination.

Even though i enjoy watching motorsport - rallying in particular, driving has never really been about speed for me, and in fact as my cars have got more powerful my speeds have come down. Looking to improve each time i go out, taking bike test recently i have been inspired to try for ROSPA car test.

My journey to work from Oakham to Stamford, so same roads as Max Wilson, without the regular hold ups on A1. Much as i like driving i can't say that a lap of M25 appeals to me either.

got a big un planned for the xmas period. Southend, over the Humber Bridge and back to Southend in a day. Rekon there's time?

Did 104 miles on the C90 one day last winter!

SCE what car / bike do you use?

Me, i'm in a white Honda Accord, A Silver Ford Fiesta or the love of my life My Aprilia RSV Mille. (Silver)

It's a great road plenty of overtaking opportunity (not that I do much in the car, just tend to sit on the conveyer belt unless it's quiet) fantastic views over Rutland water what more do you want. The thought of a daily commute on the M25 sends shivers down my spine

Max

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Tailgaters - Please Pass
You have an Accident to go to!

Max Wilson

Car is silver Mondeo, Bike a green Bandit - not using it for commuting at moment, waiting for warmer weather in spring, but do try and get out on it most weekends.

View over Rutland Water are fantastic, especially when a touch of light mist and frost around.

Oakham-Stamford road is very good, wide road, wide verges, long sightlines and often not much traffic. Pity the council seem to be putting up those little speed camera signs on every straight, make the countryside look untidy.

Yes they often park those vans just down from barnsdale and after the last bend before Stamford, nearly got caught by that one but fortunately it was looking the other way! I too tend to take the 'cage' in the foul weather!

Max

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Tailgaters - Please Pass
You have an Accident to go to!

I loathe driving on our roads now. I used to be interested in improving my skills, but sisnce the crackdown on anything over 40mph in Norfolk and Suffolk, its just a boring trudge, usually following lorry after lorry, causing constant rolling road blocks.

The only Time I get any sense of satisfaction is when I'm on my Bike, but of coarse us bikers are demon spawn, and must be slowed down for our own safety.

For me, our roads are just a method, (and a shit one at that) for getting fro A to B.

Jules

This is just about the most depressing post I have ever read. It appears that the anti motorist lobby have pretty much won in your area.

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Ross

Yes I'm a hoon, but only on the track!!!!

Yep I'm with you on this one.

We can drink ourselves to death
We can smoke ourselves to death
We can eat ourselves to death
We can attempt suicide
All legaly

But when it comes to bikes we are the target fo all the f*ckwit do-gooders. Every now and again they come up with another ill-concieved safety initiative.
Let those who ride decide

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Speed camera policy Kills