I absolutely love to drive. Short trips, long trips, road trips, as long as there are no traffic backups, I love them all. One of my jobs in college was as a delivery driver for a bakery. Waking up at three in the morning, I'd drive around delivering bread, donuts and cakes to area restaurants. I once drove from New York to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida straight through. As a senior in high school I drove from Connecticut to St. Louis stopping at every major league ballpark along the way. I am a driver, and a good one.
On the other hand I am a horrible passenger. The worst. I hate being in a car and being a passenger. I can count on one hand how many people I feel comfortable with driving me around. It's really bad. I hate being a passenger.
I once had a girl break up with me because I didn't want to be in a car with her when she was driving. A week later she wrecked her car in a crash. My phobia is not without merit.
When you get in a car with someone, you are literally putting your life in their hands. That takes a big leap of faith. I guess I just don't trust that many people with my life. I'd rather drive.
One of the few people I feel comfortable driving with is my father. He learned to drive in New York City and I feel extremely comfortable with him driving. The one exception is when he comes down to Atlanta. When he comes down here, I drive all the time. Why? I think it has to do with a lack of familiarity with Atlanta streets. Even though I'd trust him to drive me into Times Square in New York City through the maze of taxi cabs, I wouldn't want to get in a car with him driving through midtown Atlanta.
Being familiar with where you are driving is very important. I remember when I first moved to Atlanta I drove my huge UHaul truck down Spring Street. Unfortunately I was driving the wrong way down the one-way street. A very kind Atlanta police officer pointed me in the right direction and let me go on my way with a warning.
The lesson was learned. A lack of familiarity with streets and surroundings can make a great driver, a dangerous one.
I was recently asked for driving advice by a mother who's son is about to get his driver's license.
I shudder to think of the time when I have children and they are old enough to drive. Before they get behind the wheel I am going to make sure they are very familiar with the streets that they intend to drive. Knowing their roads and routes back and forth can go a long way to making sure their travels are safe.
But, even when I have children that are of driving age, trust me, I'll be the one driving.
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