Are you a good passenger?

[v15ben]

Following on from the Passenger Reactions thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... reactions....&mid=31934

How are you as a passenger with other people?

I am usually a very calm passenger with another petrolhead, 170mph in a Ferrari, track laps in a Caterham, sideways in an MX5 etc don't phase me. Some friends on the other hand who are non-petrolheads scare me a lot more with their bad driving rather than their speed. The one who didn't notice a Stop sign for a junction a few hundred yards after an NSL sign so arrived on the major road sideways at about 65mph

So how are you in the opposite seat of the car?

Edited by v15ben on Saturday 19th June 23:42

[RDMcG]

I am generally very calm as a passenger, except from with my mother-in-law who drives a fifteen year old E class in Florida. She corrects constantly even on s straight road, resulting in a weird yawing motion that can cause sea sickness. Now , on the occasions when I am in the car with her, I drive. Other than that I am never bothered.I never comment or make helpful suggestions either.

[peterbredde]

I must admit I'm ok with everyone else except my wife (bless her cotton socks). She is just too considerate of other road users. I sit there biting my lip and squeezing my legs while she waits for a 1/4mile gap to appear before pulling out anywhere. If anyone beeps a horn anywhere she assumes it was at her and asks me what she has done wrong.

Having said all that she never has an accident or any points on her licence, in respect of which I am afraid I am a bit of a disgrace. However, that hasn't stopped me pinning various knocks and dents on her and other innocent 'careless idiots'. Once, she actually caught me painting over the red scrapes I had left on my neighbours wall after I had casually noticed that someone in a white car appeared to have damaged our rear bumper.

[V8 Disco]

I get atrocious car sickness - can't seem to get over it, think it must be the movement as it even occurs when being driven by someone I trust 100%. Oddly, seems worse in a friend's Audi TT convertible.

[dan19evans]

im calm in a passenger seat... but probably not safe because i encourage people to go faster

[GavinPearson]

In a car with a good driver I'm fine. I used to read the g-meter and record data in vehicle back in the days before cars really got instrumented when I worked in an OEM Ride and Handling dept. But then again, those drivers were very, very competent.

I am also a good passenger when my wife is driving, but then again she can change gears imperceptibly so she is a good driver.

For most other drivers I have extreme suspicion of their abilities. In the worst cases I get out and walk or find alternative transport. I have no desire to be a vehicle accident statistic.