Phobias

[Wuppertal]

I really want to drive on the motorway!

I passed my test last year and using the family car am allowed to go wherever I want on my own, to the other end of the country if I want, anywhere...as long as I don't use the motorway. This is incredibly annoying as everything takes much longer. I appreciate the dangers, but the limit on dual carriageways is 70mph too, so what's everyone's big issue on motorways (or should I say, lack of, on dual carriageways)? Are they not simply motorways with two lanes? And a few motorways only have two lanes anyway, coming to think of it.

[Angela Woodford]

Wuppertal, when I admit to being terrified on the motorway, I mean ditto scary fast dual carriageways and huge multi-laned roundabouts too, I'm ashamed to say.

Two years ago, I worked in a big hospital at Junction 10 of the M20. I actually made my husband draw a diagram of this nightmare roundabout and studied it for two days before doing a trial run at an unearthly hour of the morning! But I did manage it! Even in the rush hour!

Scared driver's friend - white van men! They must be able to look down and see my petrified ashen face in their mirror. Smiles and waves. Being called "darling" from their open window. Most helpful.

Munch

[sejintenej]

so what's everyone's big issue on motorways (or should I say, lack of, on dual carriageways)? Are they not simply motorways with two lanes? And a few motorways only have two lanes anyway, coming to think of it.

Quite often there is an intangible difference. Motorways are used by professionals - truckers, long distance drivers etc by preference so they can often be crowded. Dual carriageways were (and still quite often are) relatively quiet. Surprisingly there is a major difference between the M1 from London to past Leeds and the A1 (parts of which become A1(M) which goes from London to past Leeds. I promise you the A1 is far easier and less frightening to drive on (and I do the whole length many times a year).

If you go at 50mph on a motorway you will have cars and lorries 6 inches from your rear bumper flashing you to get a move on - far less common on dual carriageways.

The other difference is that ordinary dual carriageways have entrances and exits at frequent intervals; if you are getting tired / hungry / thirsty / need the coinveniences you only have half a mile or so to the next exit.

[Liz Jay]

Hi Munch

Must be a North/South divide thing as white van men are scary up here, but not as bad as black or silver Mercs and Audis with tinted windows and a habit of zooming close up behind whenever one is daringly overtaking (and already exceeding the speed limit!). They then flash their lights signalling go faster or get back in the inner lane, even though they must know that neither is possible for a diesel Berlingo already overstretching its capabilities and in mid-overtake with a vehicle on its left!!!!

I do a lot of driving both on and off motorways on my way to and from dog shows and have learned to fend for myself a bit. Best tip I can give anyone is to try to keep your speed up enough NOT to be in the slow lane as it's easily the most stressful place to be! Especially in the 500 yards before or after a junction or a service station. And to know EXACTLY which junction you need to be off at so you don't go sailing merrily past.

If I had a Merc or Audi I can see I would become a fast lane addict, mostly they have it to themselves don't they?

Love

[Angela Woodford]

but not as bad as black or silver Mercs and Audis with tinted windows and a habit of zooming close up behind... They then flash their lights signalling go faster or get back in the inner lane,

Exactly, Liz! How well you have put it! Somewhere in the family map collection there is a diagram by my husband telling me how to navigate home from Manchester. (Never again). He has achieved a sort of scroll down effect and at the bottom of the page -









South Africa
This Vonderful Country!
You have come a bit too far now

How can one man have the whole of the universe in his head in maps?? I know it's wonderful to be such a good navigator, but I just don't understand how. Yes, the thought induces panic, so perhaps I do have a phobia after all.

Munch

[icomefromalanddownunder]

Munch, have you checked out Google Maps, as indicated by Mary V?

It's excellent for a laugh, but please don't try to navigate from my home to my daughter's via Google's route. It doesn't take into account freeway exits and such like.

Love

Caroline
who never did quite master navigating Hyde Park Corner, or maybe it was Marble Arch. I used to manoeuvre myself into a position behind a black cab, stick close to their bumper, and go wherever they went, regardless of the exit I actually needed.
And whose scariest driving moment may have been when doing 80 kph in an MGB with articulated trucks infront, behind, and on either side of me. I'm reasonably sure that the only one of the four drivers who knew I was there was the one behind.

[AndrewH]

Hi Munch

Must be a North/South divide thing as white van men are scary up here, but not as bad as black or silver Mercs and Audis with tinted windows and a habit of zooming close up behind whenever one is daringly overtaking (and already exceeding the speed limit!). They then flash their lights signalling go faster or get back in the inner lane, even though they must know that neither is possible for a diesel Berlingo already overstretching its capabilities and in mid-overtake with a vehicle on its left!!!!

I do a lot of driving both on and off motorways on my way to and from dog shows and have learned to fend for myself a bit. Best tip I can give anyone is to try to keep your speed up enough NOT to be in the slow lane as it's easily the most stressful place to be! Especially in the 500 yards before or after a junction or a service station. And to know EXACTLY which junction you need to be off at so you don't go sailing merrily past.

If I had a Merc or Audi I can see I would become a fast lane addict, mostly they have it to themselves don't they?

Love

A tap on the brake (enough to turn the lights on, not to actually slow down) usually casues them to retire....

[icomefromalanddownunder]

A tap on the brake (enough to turn the lights on, not to actually slow down) usually casues them to retire....

Hmmmm, my son used to subscribe to this philosophy. Before he began driving.

The standard of driving in South Australia is very poor - no lane discipline, little understanding of how to negotiate a roundabout. Indicators? Should be fitted as optional extras.

I have had people so close behind me, while driving at 110 kph on the freeway, that I cannot see their headlights or the front of their bonnet. I doubt that they would see my brake lights.

If they are a little futher behind, rather than tap the brakes, I flick my head/tail lights. Irritates the hell out of the people in front, but sometimes results in the tailgater falling back a little.

I have been rear-ended twice. On both occasions I was stationary, and at a level crossing. People are a little more aware of the dangers of queuing across railway tracks since a bus was hit by a commuter train, resulting in 5 deaths. The truly sad aspect was that no-one who drives through that crossing was surprised by the accident, as we had so often seen buses and cars straddling the very busy lines.

It really wasn't a good idea for me to get started on this topic, as it's 6.30pm, and considerably past home time. I'm studying at Adelaide Uni's agricultural campus - in the suburbs, but up on a hill overlooking the city and southern suburbs, then out to the gulf. Beautiful. Until I try to exit the road which bisects the campus onto a major through route which turns into the freeway a few hundred yards further up the hill. People turn right from the left hand lane. Actually I have done it too, but only when there is no-one in the right hand lane - you debate whether or not there is any chance of turning right, decide not, position yourself in the LH lane, and then a rare gap in the traffic materialises .......................
People get fed up with waiting to turn right, so turn left from the right hand lane.
People turn left, then do a U-turn. People with faster cars than mine scream out into the oncoming traffic - woe betide any cyclist who happens along.

Oh dear, I need some bravery pills

[blondie95]

Balloons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqtdVAalQY0

I have a friend who hates balloons emphatically. I also shared a flat with a girl who had a thing about pigeons - she thought they were too turgid and might explode on her. Fortunately she didn't live near Trafalgar Square. That would have made for very serious treatment!!

I hate pigeons (rats of the sky) so much, hate how they fly up at you not away from you but at you

[midget]

Miss Pye-Smith, Biology teacher at Hertford, was terrified of birds. It seemed the logical thing for a new girl to take an injured bird to the bio. teacher, but I was there when it happened, and the poor woman was nearly hysterical.

[englishangel]

When we lived in the US I was reading the paper when my children came in in funereal preocession and the oldest (about 6 at the time) dropped a dead bird in my lap, it had probably been dead about 3 days!!.

I very gently told them to find a shoebox so we could bury it, and while they looked for a shoebox I locked myself in the bathroom and had the sreaming habdabs.

[blondie95]

i have yet to motorway drive on my own (having passed test in Jan) done it numerous times with the bf normally go down to his parents on coast at folkstone! Am yet to do M25 but i think people make it out to be more scary than it is!
I'm just not so hot on joining the motorway

[Angela Woodford]

Well done passing your test Amy! Brilliant.

Birds seem to score highest amongst the phobias. Driving seems to be more of a completely rational fear, especially of other motorists and modern road conditions

Funny - there are several things I would really love to do!

Experience white water rafting
Fly away somewhere on holiday - loved being on a plane
Sail on a boat on a rough sea

You think I'd be nervous to do these activities!

Ah well.

Love, Munch

[blondie95]

i have to admit my biggest fear was hill start-but having done the new drive to work every day that involves as my sister put it a ski slope of a hill start i have no problems.
Now what scares me is other drivers-some really should not be allowed near a car

[cj]

Now what scares me is other drivers-some really should not be allowed near a car

My rule of thumb for being on the road as a driver, passenger or pedestrian is never trust anyone else, especially on the motorway. There are people driving vehicles who shouldn't be in charge of a wheelbarrow, imho.