Giving up driving.

Author
Discussion

stuartmmcfc

Original Poster:

8,653 posts

191 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
I’m thinking of giving up driving frown
I’m not happy about it but it’s far from the end of the world!
I’m really struggling to get my legs in the car but once I’m in it’s not to bad.
I have hand controls fitted but I can feel my left arm getting weaker and less mobile and this is making complicated manoeuvres a bit tricky.
I’m ok driving into town but I’ve got to admit it’s quite tiring as it takes 100% concentration now. Driving down the motorway would be fine but how many journeys are like that?
What really worries me now is that I’m not sure if I’m 100% certain I’d be safe controlling the car if something unexpected happens.
Ultimately I don’t really enjoy driving anymore. It’s to crowded and the days of solo early morning jaunts are long gone!
I’ve had some big bikes, some nice cars but the day to hand in my licence in is looming close!
I guess the point of this post is to put down in writing my determination to do this.
Cheer me up!

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

162 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Think of the money you'll save ,owning cars is expensive.....smile

cuprabob

14,418 posts

213 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
In my.opinion it takes guts to admit when it's time to stop driving.

Do what is best for you and good luck smile

lost in espace

6,136 posts

206 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
New Leaf drives itself in town!

ShampooEfficient

4,266 posts

210 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
What about getting involved in some motorsport as a navigator? That way you can still enjoy being in and around cars without worrying about not being up to the task of controlling one?

Difficult decision to make and I applaud you for having the guts to discuss it.

alorotom

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
In my.opinion it takes guts to admit when it's time to stop driving.

Do what is best for you and good luck smile
This x100 ... we all know loads of people who are the same and more often than not considerably worse who won’t admit they shouldn’t be on the road anymore - massive kudos to knowing and admitting it

It shouldn’t come to a fatal accident to realise this truth like it often does.

RATATTAK

10,591 posts

188 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
I'm getting to that stage but I've still got a few cars to own yet

Shifty Bloke

187 posts

161 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Good luck with the decision.

If you give it up, sit back and enjoy everyone else dealing with the st on the roads and watch the world go by.

stuartmmcfc

Original Poster:

8,653 posts

191 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Funny thing is that it feels like a weights lifting of my shoulders smile

The navigatings a good idea but practically it wouldn’t work. I still have to get there and once in the car I’d struggle to hold a map. We’d be in Asda car park within minutes!

I’ve got no immediate plans to sell the Cougar. Tbh it’s no drivers car and the enjoyment I get is from looking at it and polishing it. Luckily we’ve enough money to pay someone to do jobs as crawling under cars is not a good idea anymore for me if I want to ever get up again wink
When I got I made sure the Wife liked it so she’s happy to do the driving while I try and look cool!

Eyersey1234

2,895 posts

78 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Good luck. It takes guts to admit you don't feel safe driving any more. Too many times people keep driving when they are not up to it and then cause a crash.

Twig62

746 posts

95 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Eyersey1234 said:
Good luck. It takes guts to admit you don't feel safe driving any more. Too many times people keep driving when they are not up to it and then cause a crash.
This.
Despite all the stress of driving in the 21st Century and the expense of car ownership these days I guess what most of us love about our cars is the freedom they give us to go where we want when we want and that is something that I can't imagine not being able to do. Ultimately the day will arrive when we will all have to hang up the car keys for good and that is something I dread. I suppose the only thing is that before long we won't need to actually "drive" a car but even so I will still miss it.

eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
In my.opinion it takes guts to admit when it's time to stop driving.

Do what is best for you and good luck smile
Agree with this, a tough decision to make.

leef44

4,359 posts

152 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
stuartmmcfc said:
I’m thinking of giving up driving frown
I’m not happy about it but it’s far from the end of the world!
I’m really struggling to get my legs in the car but once I’m in it’s not to bad.
I have hand controls fitted but I can feel my left arm getting weaker and less mobile and this is making complicated manoeuvres a bit tricky.
I’m ok driving into town but I’ve got to admit it’s quite tiring as it takes 100% concentration now. Driving down the motorway would be fine but how many journeys are like that?
What really worries me now is that I’m not sure if I’m 100% certain I’d be safe controlling the car if something unexpected happens.
Ultimately I don’t really enjoy driving anymore. It’s to crowded and the days of solo early morning jaunts are long gone!
I’ve had some big bikes, some nice cars but the day to hand in my licence in is looming close!
I guess the point of this post is to put down in writing my determination to do this.
Cheer me up!
Respect to you sir. It takes guts.

Pica-Pica

13,621 posts

83 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Good luck. A chap near us is 90 and has just given up. A wise move for him I believe. But in his youth he was a rally driver, headed up some car sales rooms, so I guess it is very hard.

Darryl247W

564 posts

122 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Fair play, sir. I admire your decision.

Great idea to still get out and about with someone else driving. I had a very active friend who turned to enjoying his sportscar from the passenger seat after suffering a stroke. If you still have enthusiasm for cars, maybe there are other 'experiences' you can do?

Cold

15,207 posts

89 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Rather a day too soon than a day too late.



Mind you, they say that about cats too so don't go near any vets for a while. biggrin

Ron99

1,985 posts

80 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
stuartmmcfc said:
Funny thing is that it feels like a weights lifting of my shoulders smile
The navigatings a good idea but practically it wouldn’t work. I still have to get there and once in the car I’d struggle to hold a map. We’d be in Asda car park within minutes!
I enjoy exploring new places (especially scenic or interesting places) as much as hoofing it along a B-road. Sometimes I wish I had a navigator.

I can't believe I'm the only one who would sometimes enjoy having a navigator and some company on a long scenic drive.
Actually, I know I'm not because my wife likes me to navigate for her on scenic drives, although she doesn't navigate much for me because she freely admits she's not particularly good at it. Hence my Swift Sport is equipped with an additional satnav in addition to its inbuilt one, for when I go off exploring by myself.

On scenic drives the navigator doesn't want to be too busy otherwise they spend too much time looking at the map and not enough time watching the scenery. Therefore it might not matter if you struggle to hold a map. Besides, some of the most interesting journeys I've had were when I was lost or where I took a 'best guess' route just for the fun of it.




culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
Unfortunately, i reckon you've answered your own question here. Ultimately, only YOU know how far you can go with it and carry on driving for. Why not maybe try driving a bit less than you already do? Give it a good think over and don't rush to hand your license back. Once it's done, it's done.

I really feel for you mate. But, as others have said on here, it's not the end of the world. Being a car guy isn't all about driving, it's just the love of cars. You can still go to events and meets and such. Much respect too for being able to admit you're struggling and ask for help. Maybe there's many years left?

Regardless of your decision and the outcome, chin up and stay safe smile

culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
Driving isn't much fun for most of the time, in the UK,
Funnily enough, before i read the contents, that's what i assumed this thread would be about biglaugh

Edited by culpz on Tuesday 21st November 09:32

spookly

4,011 posts

94 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
Good on you. My late grandfather drove tanks in WW2, then spent a long career driving heavy plant and HGVs round the world. He got to 80 and gave up driving voluntarily as he was well aware his reactions weren't what they used to be.

There's an old bloke my parents know, who is in his 90's. He is a complete liability, but refuses to stop driving. He even still tows a small caravan behind his wheezy Ford Focus to go away on holiday. He really should not be on the road.