Have you noticed any changes in your driving as you've grown up

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TheBarbarian88@reddit

I drive slower and try to stick to pass left, cruise right. When I am with my kids, Ipoint out the asshats who speed pass and wind up at the next traffic light with me.

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MaximumJones@reddit

I take my time going anywhere and I don't piss people off in traffic.

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Motor_Struggle_3605@reddit

I hate when I have to drive to Detroit. You were definitely thrown in the deep end.

I find myself asking myself one question when considering driving aggressively - Is getting there a little earlier worth dying for? The answer is always no.

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tanhauser_gates_@reddit

I bike way more than I drive now. Way less steessful getting around.

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grateful_john@reddit

I don't drive as aggressively. My 92 year old neighbor likes to brag about driving aggressively.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

I drive pretty much the speed limit no. However every stop light is still a drag race. Gotta keep up on my reaction times. Other than that pretty much the same.

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I’m way more patient and careful. I used to drive like a maniac, Then I had kids. Three little monsters in car seats would shriek “mo-om” every time I hit a bump or turned to fast and jostled them so I just slowed down.

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ExtraAd7611@reddit

I really can't turn around to look out the back window when reversing anymore. So I rely on the crutch of a rear view wide angle camera and try to pull through so I can exit a parking space forward, to minimize ever having to drive in reverse.

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sane-asylum@reddit

Yeah, my car is faster😄

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kermitsfrogbog@reddit

I’m more patient. I did my share of stupid things in my early 20s.

Speeding and weaving is selfish and dangerous. No, you are not a “good” driver. Knock it off.

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automator3000@reddit

Just the basic “I don’t do dumbass shit any more”.

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trUth_b0mbs@reddit

yeah - I dont want to drive anymore! lol

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HammerMeUp@reddit

I'm more defensive now. But the biggest change for me, and I was thinking of asking this subreddit if this is something that they now do, involves parking lots. It makes me anxious as hell. I think I'm either going to hit someone or going to get hit by the fuckheads that think it's okay to drive fast. Unless I have no choice, I pull through spots so that I can go forward when leaving. I don't care how much further I walk, that's not a big deal. I don't have to turn my head/body a bunch of times looking for that " where the hell did they come from" or that fuckhead who thinks speeding up is best if someone starts backing up. I think part of this is from working at Costco. If you have been to a Costco parking lot I think you know how crazy that can be. I know a few cart pushers that have been bumped or had a foot ran over and many who have had people hit the carts they're pushing. (And they often blame the employee)

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nadiaco@reddit

Pretty much the same.

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beaus_tender_0c@reddit

I got all my bad driving out when I delivered pizza in the shop’s car as a high schooler. I learned if I saw a dog, a kid or a ball that immediately it would run right in front of my vehicle without looking.

Me and the other teen driver also completely trashed several of the vehicle driving way too fast, bottoming out, burning rubber and cracking frames.

I also became a bike commuter during college and realized that almost no drivers ever saw me in the road. On the rare occasions they did, they’d haze me, through shit at me or yell at me.

By the time I was 20, I became a very defensive driver and it’s never changed. The only change with getting older is that I’m much more tolerant of other people’s bad driving. I figure most of them need to be somewhere more urgently than me, made a mistake or might have physical issues (esp old drivers who are inching their way around a turn or driving 20 mph below the limit).

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Ray_The_Engineer@reddit

I was wreckless as a teenager, was lucky to survive the experience, and had backed off a bit by the time I was 20 or so. Over the next few decades, my style of driving has evolved to "Make distance between yourself and others", because a lot of the folks out there behind the wheel are angry morons.

Weaving in and out of lanes? Sorry, but you're a bad accident waiting to happen. Don't jeopardize everyone's safety around you, and get there 30 seconds later.

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OkTouch5699@reddit

I used to not know how fast i was driving on Interstates and back roads, because .you speedo only went to 85...lol. Then I hit peri meno and started having anxiety. Then the anxiety grew, and I was physically unable to even get on an interstate. I started having panic attacks. I pretty much stopped driving for 2 years. I got a job walking distance feom my house.

Now, we moved. To a small city that is impossible to get around without getting on interstates. The first 6 months were so hard. I had to give myself pep talks. Im finally getting the groove of it back. But its been a long journey.

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MaximumJones@reddit

I do not participate in road rage. It astounds me how many people end up in prison because someone pissed them off in traffic.

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L_wanderlust@reddit

Seriously! Or people end up dead or very injured because of road rage accidents or assaults. It’s not worth it, just let the person pass you or whatever and don’t make eye contact and the whole thing is over and done with just like that

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MaximumJones@reddit

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No_Masterpiece7066@reddit

My menopausal rage comes on strongest when I’m driving and I have zero patience for shitty drivers. I live in a large city and am grateful that I WFH and have a schedule that allows me to run most of my errands, etc, during the week and avoid a lot of traffic and people.

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

My wife is going through the change also that anger can be unmatched at times

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SisterOfSalome@reddit

None that have to do with age, but after being forced to move to another state I’ve become a REAL asshole behind the wheel because people in this state can’t drive worth a shit (consistently rated one of the WORST in the entire country)

And what I despise the most is tailgating. So if I’m on a two lane road and this asshole starts trying to tailgate me I will immediately slow down to a good 20 miles an hour or hearse speed

Then, just to piss them off further, I start weaving my car from one side of my lane to the other (slightly crossing the line if no one is approaching me) so they also aren’t going to risk trying to go around me - and I cheerfully lift my hand and flip them off the ENTIRE TIME - until I reach my subdivision 😇🖕🏻

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L_wanderlust@reddit

You could just let them pass you and keep on keepin on without the drama? I feel like these are the road rage stories you read where you do it to the wrong person and you get shot 😬. Stay safe out there! Ps it’s liberating when you decide to just let the idiots pass and be idiots somewhere else, I’ve enjoyed driving much more with that mindset!

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SisterOfSalome@reddit

Well I’ve got bipolar II - chronic, severe depression, and a death wish - so I really couldn’t care less either way. It’s not like it happens all the time - It’s a couple times a month once I leave a main highway

The only nice thing - when visiting relatives in rural areas, once I leave the interstate I can play “Smokey and the Bandit” zooming down a 2 lane road at 90+ mph (I respect the cow crossings)

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Narrow_Economics_466@reddit

Sounds like you moved to New Jersey

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SisterOfSalome@reddit

No - actually SC - I lived in GA for years - and I am NOT joking when I say that dealing with drivers HERE is worse than driving on I-285. I’ve been here several years now - and I wasn’t living here TWO WEEKS before some fool came flying down the road and almost caused a head on collision.

These drivers are rude as shit, they tailgate, don’t even bother using turn signals, constantly cut across parking lots and having collisions in them.

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notabadkid92@reddit

I'm super chill in the car now. I'm listening to music, minding the speed limit or flow of traffic, almost never in a hurry & certainly not letting myself get stressed out by other drivers. I never fear getting a ticket like I used to because I follow the rules of the road & don't take any unecessary risks. When I was younger I would speed around town wondering why everyone was driving so slow. I would stress about being late all the way to work almost daily & be pissed at other drivers getting in the way, lol. Once I became a mom, it was all about safety so that's why I changed my habits. It's a much more pleasant experience than it used to be because all I care about is getting there in one piece & not how fast I get there.

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L_wanderlust@reddit

It’s really amazing how liberating and less stressful it is when you just change your goal/mindset!

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Quasigriz_@reddit

Adaptive cruise control is my jam.

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L_wanderlust@reddit

Same!

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L_wanderlust@reddit

I speed much less often and less over the speed limit (5 or less over). I am more defensive and less aggressive tho that’s not quite the right word…more likey to let people get in front of me or give 0 fucks if someone cuts me off, etc. I was never a jerk driver before because people are crazy and I don’t want it directed at me but I’m more “oh you go first, I’m not in a hurry” instead of “I was here first so you better slow your roll because you aren’t cutting in front of me” when I was younger 😆

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Flaky_Wheel60B@reddit

I’m WAY more defensive and I know how to look at the other drivers side mirrors to see WHERE they are looking to anticipate what they are planning.

I’ve am also faster and like someone else I have the experience to handle nearly every situation

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More_Law6245@reddit

I have a driving disability, my foot still wants to go through the firewall. I thought that would be the thing that would change as I got older .... but sadly no. It's definitely why I had to give up the motorbike.

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LazyDramaLlama68@reddit

I'm still waiting for my surgery to be scheduled to remove that lead from my foot

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9inez@reddit

My main daily change has nothing to do with age. It was working out how to work only 3 miles from home in 2011 and extricate myself from the insane waste of time in rush hour traffic and all the stress that comes with that.

Otherwise, I still drive a balanced combo of strategic big city offensive and defensive driving when in the mix with the rest of the crazies.

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edorhas@reddit

I wear a seatbelt now. I started because it was stressing someone I was in a relationship with, and I realized I was trying to prove s stupid point by being selfish.

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Sudden_Office8710@reddit

I drive faster now than when I was younger because I’m so much more skilled than I was when I was younger. I drove pretty darn fast when i was younger too but I would total a car like every other year when I was younger. I haven’t been in an accident in 27 years. Also I don’t get speeding tickets anymore. I have a perfect record.

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Build68@reddit

When we were young, old people drove slow. Now, old people grew up with muscle cars and they drive aggressive and fast. I drive much less aggressively these days. If someone looks like they want to cut me off, I’ll back off if I can and let them have at it. I do not need to own the piece of road where I am, I just want to get where I’m going in one piece.

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this_is_Winston@reddit

Yeah, I'd rather drive carefully than get somewhere fast. I've also grown to absolutely hate driving in rain. This fall I'm going to buy a AWD with blind spot monitoring

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Cythripio@reddit

I drive mellow and try to avoid lane switching and speeding as much as I can. Watching everyone else drive is like watching a mindless rat race with everyone’s lizard brains trying to get in front of each other and get their dopamine hits.

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hapster85@reddit

Realizing that I was not in competition with other drivers, and that my only goal was to arrive safely, was more than a little liberating. Driving is much less stressful with that mindset. It requires a certain amount of discipline, like leaving ample time, but it's well worth the effort.

There are always going to be occasions where I'm running late, for a myriad of reasons. Accepting that arriving a few minutes late is better than getting a ticket, it being in an accident.

I'm by no means perfect. I'll catch myself reverting once in a while, but realizing it's happening makes it easier to stop it.

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Inwardly-Outgoing@reddit

I stopped habitual speeding after our first baby was born.

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FETTACH@reddit

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Jtshelatz@reddit

I’m in Eastern Ontario in Canada. Younger me was all about being aggressive and speeding a lot. Now, at 48 I mind my time, take care and watch more around me in the car. Funny thing is, the cars I own now are the fastest by far I’ve ever owned (SQ5 and a WRX). I drive like a grandpa lol

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funktopus@reddit

No but my job location will change my driving habits. When I worked an hour away my commute was a open highway to get there and back, no real back roads. So I drove the limit and in a relaxed state. Driving faster barely saved any time.

Now I work downtown with a 30 minute commute in the morning and a 40-60 minute on the way home. Morning I will fly down there as the road isn't jammed with traffic. Evening I will fly off the on ramp until I hit the full stopped traffic. Back roads are a crapshoot. Some days they will save time.... Other days I wish for missile launchers as I'm dodging potholes behind an 80 year old and a bus.

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yarnhooksbooks@reddit

My driving habits changed drastically when I had kids. Apparently the surgical removal of the lead from my right foot was free with my c-sections 😂

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PeteRust78@reddit

I realized that I actually dislike driving, especially long distances.

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itgoesineasy@reddit

I get irritated with people that drive like idiots much quicker than I used to.

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DubiousPinkUnicorn@reddit

I have State Farm and have that token thingie on my windshield. I enjoy my insurance discount and if people want to speed by me and flip me off, they can fuck off. I don’t care. 😆

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Suckerforcats@reddit

I developed very bad panic attacks 2 1/2 years ago as a result of perimenopause and I don't give a crap if people think I'm going to slow (speed limit) in the right lane. They can go around if they don't like it.

I have noticed that with my car, I sometimes don't park it as straight in my spot and I know from my work in adult protective services that can be a sign of dementia but I'm certain it's the stupid car because it's low and feels longer in front that my prior vehicle. I'm only 46 so don't think it's my brain, just a dumb car.

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Individual_Set_4697@reddit

I don’t tempt God like I used to…

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BigMomma12345678@reddit

I just get worse with age

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CollectsTooMuch@reddit

If I’m not in a hurry or enjoying music, I cruise in the right lane and don’t care how long it takes to get there. When I was 20, I had a stack of speeding tickets.

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sfdsquid@reddit

I have lived in NH for most of my life. I got way more ballsy in big city traffic due to taking a lot of long road trips over the past several years. Chicago loop for example. Montréal is terrible. Nashville. Boston. Et cetera.

I also got more impatient with idiots no matter where I am.

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SufficientOpening218@reddit

i also learned to drive in the D. im almost 60, just try to stop me from merging into a lane when i wanna get in! you aint seen this yet in Colorado, but i am getting IN. lol

i have been able to calm down mostly because i play my music loud and concentrate on calming the F down. but it does not come naturally

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Ok-Entertainment5045@reddit

I96 in the D is not much different than a nascar race at MIS.

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

That's a good idea

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Reddiculusness@reddit

I drive like

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

*raises hand*

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

I'm happy for you I'm sure I will figure it out soon enough

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DoookieMaxx@reddit

I have learned to drive relaxed, at or just above the limit …honestly, my younger self would say I drive like an old man.

Took some time, but I actually enjoy driving again.

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jenorama_CA@reddit

I have slowed down so much. I’m still a bit above the limit because come on, but I don’t set my cruise to 85 anymore. Unless I’m in South Dakota where that’s just 5 MPH above the speed limit.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

Sounds like the I45 Austin Toll. 85 in some spots. It's when I get my best gas mileage.

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Tough_Arm_2454@reddit

I'm more patient and dislike driving at night so I don't. In for the day by 6 pm.

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

Driving at night is the worst

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

It's actually gotten better for me the more I do it. Your eyes become acclimated. I've been driving home from my daughters on the weekends and she's 3 hours away and it's always after sunset, and I've noticed my "night sight" has gotten better.

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CauliflowerSlight784@reddit

Yes, for some reason I park like a total idiot. I can’t pull in straight to a parking spot to save my life for some reason.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

That was me in my first Expedition. Couldn't park that tank for shit. What do I go and do? Buy an EL, only this one's got a backup camera and now it's like backing in a Civic.

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NaughtyLittleDogs@reddit

I live in a rural ex-urb and the shortest, fastest route to the bigger city is on a very busy interstate freeway. Middle-aged me has discovered the pleasure of finding out ways to get there using the slower, less stressful county highways. It's great! It just put on an audiobook, sit back in my boring as hell Subaru, and drive 60 mph while enjoying the lovely scenery. It get to my destination 5 or 10 minutes later but I don't care.

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

Yo that's great

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c0l245@reddit

I wish someone would..

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baloneysmom@reddit

I turn the music down when traffic gets heavy. Why?? I doesn't help or hinder. Because thats what my mom did? Still pointless.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

I still drive the same by myself. 5 miles over the speed limit, and music beyond a rational level. Headbanging often. If the drive is more than an hour, I promise you that I'm doing at least 10-15 miles over the speed limit, but I"m not bobbing and weaving. That's how tickets are procured. I'm also always on the lookout for "the law" and tend to memorize what cars are being used by law enforcement in what counties/municipalities.

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northofwall@reddit

I’m still a better driver than everyone else on the road. But for entirely different reasons.

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RedQueenWhiteQueen@reddit

Who are you calling a grown up?

Seriously, I drive like a little old lady. In my defense, I at least try to stay in the right lane and not be out driving 5 miles below the limit during rush hour.

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NoAbbreviations290@reddit

I’m still the best driver in the road and the rest of you suck at it.

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chipinserted@reddit (OP)

Do you happen to live in tampa?

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kittyshakedown@reddit

I’m now one of those ladies who doesn’t like to drive at night.

I literally cannot figure out where I am sometimes! Things look so different in the dark.

I still go out at night but either someone else drives or I get a Lyft.

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CrouchingGinger@reddit

Well, you’re in central FL for one. I drive defensively, my husband thinks I’m too cautious but I’m trying to get places in one piece. Too many drivers in FL acting a fool.

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Party-Cup-9386@reddit

About 15 years ago I was in an accident on the expressway in Chicago. An 18-wheeler hit a car and kept driving, but the car spun and hit my car. No one was injured but my car was totaled and it really drove home that I can be doing everything right and someone else can just end my life at any time. Since then I've become a super skittish driver and will avoid getting on the expressway if there's any way around it.

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67alecto@reddit

About 20 years ago, I traded one of my Mustangs for Plymouth Fury III (making me its second owner)

Driving that 18-ft land yacht gave me a healthy respect for braking distance and even though I sold that car years ago, I still give plenty of space between vehicles

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TrainingLow9079@reddit

One would think the speeding and weaving would make you more stressed out...

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Skatchbro@reddit

Well, I haven’t gotten a ticket in 20 years so yes. Also, before that one I hadn’t gotten a ticket in at least 15 before that.