I hate cars, I hate driving. I don't hate air conditioning.

Hey guys,  I am 18 years old and I have had plenty of opportunities to learn how to drive. I've been putting it off mainly because I dislike most things about cars. I really dislike how you have to sit in the drivers seat, it feels really awkward sitting in the drivers seat; also cars tend to crumble like tin foil, so safety makes me worry. The only thing I actually like about cars is that I can get from point A to point B quicker and in air conditioning.

I think of it like an escort mission; The most frustrating part for me is having to start over when it wasn't my fault. I don't want to get into an accident because of some other person, but this time I can't really start over.  What the hell should I do? Is this something I should just take into account like its a normal thing? Also it seems like a bad deal to spend tons of money on a metal death trap.

I love cars, I love driving, and I don't believe in AC, I just roll down the windows.

I'm with ya. Nothing I hate more then driving. I have such a short attention span, and since every thing is a 20-40 min high way drive it's the most tedious thing in the world for me to try and motivate myself to do when I need to go some place.

Unless you live in a big city with good public transportation what are you going to do? Have your mom drive you around all day?

once you start to drive more and more often, it becomes easier and then second nature. i believe every novice driver feels the way you do when they first start. and cars are "death traps" for drivers who don't obey the laws and let emotions and impulsiveness get the best of them. you will have much less to worry about if you are smart about things and use your head.

you're right, never leave the house, you never know what might happen out there, so many possibilities, it's best not to risk it.

I only dislike driving sometimes because other drivers tend to be idiots. I swear, no one knows how to drive in Texas, especially if it is raining. :/

Adjust the driver's seat until it becomes as comfortable as possible for you. Everyone I've ever known likes to have their seat a certain and almost always a completely different way. It will feel a bit awkward being behind the wheel for a little while, but you'll get used to it sooner rather than later.

As for the rest of the post - you're actually thinking down the right road, though perhaps a little too much. Yeah, when you see car accidents they crumble up like tin foil, but remember that it's tons of metal slamming into each other at 30 - 80 miles per hour - or one thing moving at that speed into something very, very solid. In reality, most cars - especially modern ones - are extremely safe. They crunch up when they hit each other, but more often than not the important bits - the bits surrounding the squishies inside - stay intact, and air bags are life savers

You're right to be worried, but that is absolutely what will make you one of the best and safest drivers on the road. It's the people that don't care, that don't think about it or pay attention that end up doing stupid things that cause accidents. You being worried about them is a great thing too, because what I was taught when I started driving that I still believe is the most important lesson is: You need to pay attention to and watch the other drivers way more than you need to worry about yourself. It sounds like you're not going to be doing anything stupid on the road, so you need to first and foremost watch every single car you can see while you're driving. If you do this, you will avoid accidents and greatly reduce the likelihood of fatalities at least in your car were an accident to happen. For example, if you see someone in the opposite lane ahead of you starting to cross the center line and you slow down but they're not paying attention, it drastically reduces the damage of the accident because it's not two speeding vehicles hitting each other - there's less force involved.

Don't be so worried about it that you don't want to drive - after you do it for a month or so you'll wonder how you ever got by. This is coming from someone who felt the same exact way - I thought I was going to throw up when I was going to start learning how to drive because I didn't want to be in an accident. Since then I've been delivering pizza for 7 years and I've seen some really stupid people on the road that just don't care. I watch, pay attention, and react. Because of that I have never been in an accident with another person, but I have been able to avoid plenty. I have been in two accidents myself, both when delivering pizza and both because of weather - cited for neither. Those metal death traps can take a lot of abuse and they will keep you alive if the time comes as long as you're careful.

There are extreme cases, but you're just as likely to be hit by a baseball when you walk out of your house tomorrow. Good luck!

Wow thanks dudes! The replies actually help a lot, I'll start learning a lot sooner.

I feel the same way, I'm nowhere near interested in getting my drivers license. If I could I'd bike my way around but eventually I think I'm gonna have to start driving a car.

Yeah, it feels uncomfortable the first few times you drive a car, but eventually it becomes super easy. You just need to focus on the road and keep your cool. Also, it may seem counter-intuitive but cars are actually safer when they crumple during a crash. It cushions the blow and significantly increases your chances of staying alive. You also made a smart decision by waiting until you are 18 to get your drivers license. However choosing to not drive just because it's uncomfortable at first will bite you in the ass someday. If you really want to be prepared, read up on defensive driving or take a class. I believe the benefits of knowing how to drive a car far outweighs the risks.

" I'm with ya. Nothing I hate more then driving. I have such a short attention span, and since every thing is a 20-40 min high way drive it's the most tedious thing in the world for me to try and motivate myself to do when I need to go some place.

I've been putting off getting my license for 12 years. Some people love driving, some people continue to hate it even if they have to do it every day of their lives. I had to learn to drive in a busy city and it was really stressful for me. I took the written test but never got the license. Since i moved back to the city, I'm really feeling a lack of independence. My plan is to go stay with relatives in Montana on my vacation this year and practice driving out where there's hardly any cars. I think getting to the point where operating the car feels like second nature is the most important step.

" also cars tend to crumble like tin foil "

Most cars crumple like foil to absorb the shock. Having been a passenger in both a car that doesn't and a car that does, I would rather be in the one that crumbles.  

I absolutely love driving. It just might be my favorite activity. It just gives me a feeling of release, I dont know, I cant describe it that well at all. I agree that highways are a little boring, too many people not watching or paying attention. It's ridiculous. Driving the mountain roads and in the snow is where its fun. I also drive a 4wd manual transmission, so maybe that has something to do with it. I cant drive an auto, its way too boring and I just feel like I have no control.  

500.000 KM +  and still enjoying it . and omg the thing you're worried about !

@DRZako said:

" also cars tend to crumble like tin foil "

They do that on purpose.

" Hey guys,  I am 18 years old and I have had plenty of opportunities to learn how to drive. I've been putting it off mainly because I dislike most things about cars. I really dislike how you have to sit in the drivers seat, it feels really awkward sitting in the drivers seat; also cars tend to crumble like tin foil, so safety makes me worry. The only thing I actually like about cars is that I can get from point A to point B quicker and in air conditioning. I think of it like an escort mission; The most frustrating part for me is having to start over when it wasn't my fault. I don't want to get into an accident because of some other person, but this time I can't really start over.  What the hell should I do? Is this something I should just take into account like its a normal thing? Also it seems like a bad deal to spend tons of money on a metal death trap. "

" @example1013

@DRZako said:

" also cars tend to crumble like tin foil "

They do that on purpose.

It's to fit in your pocket "

Driving is awesome, your loss.

I hate driving - in montreal - where drivers either suck or dont give a shit and do stupid things around you

I learned to drive when I was 29, you have pleanty of time, you know what, I'm not too enamoured with driving either(although I am awesome at it), but it is an essential skill in the 21st century. 

Thing that sucks the most about driving is how many baaad drivers are on the road who couldn't pay attention to what they're doing if that was the only thing they knew how to do.

Fun fact: 72% of Americans feel they're above-average drivers.

" you're right, never leave the house, you never know what might happen out there, so many possibilities, it's best not to risk it. "

Cars gonna be great in the Zombie Apocalypse. Right now, while Zombies have rights, not so much.

I only started appreciating cars once I started driving them. If you don't want to drive take a bus. If you don't want to take a four wheeled vehicle take a bike. If you don't like bikes try scooters. If you don't like that then try a skateboard. After that I can't think of any vehicular transportation.

Hey, I've been driving since 1994 and I still hate it. Okay, driving late at night in the summer with the windows down and the radio on IS awesome, but mostly because there's no one else on the road (around these parts, anyway). It's not really driving I hate, it's the other people on the road.

I've been in 3 accidents and have never been faulted, two were due to some idiot running a red light when I had green and one was a transport truck who didn't check my lane before moving right on over (I had to eat the rail). It sucks, but what can you do?

I'm not fond of cars and trucks themselves, I think they're all gas-hungry pieces of shit but sometimes you gotta haul so I do have a truck. I usually just ride my HD Softail. Of course, riding a motorcycle comes with the fun fact that a lot of people simply don't see you on the road because they're idiots.

You're gonna have to drive, no way around it. At some point you will most likely be in an accident. Watching your speed and being alert to the IDIOTS around you may give you that split second to apply the brakes to greatly reduce any harm coming your way. My friends complain I drive slow (I do the limit, no slower, no faster) but in all 3 accidents I've had just enough time to take some action even if I still couldn't avoid the accident.

Hang in there...oil will dry up someday and mass transit will take over, and I'm guessing it'll all be automated. Here's hoping.

I love cars. I love driving. My car doesn't even have air conditioning. 
I don't like driving downtown in major cities, though. Downtown drivers typically suck, and are total assholes to boot.

" @DRZako said:

" also cars tend to crumble like tin foil "

They do that on purpose. "

I love cars, and I love driving. But my car has no AC and I don't love driving my car.

Having never driven, I think it's incredible that people can sit with their accelerator foot at an angle for hours on end.

maybe you should a bike or something. it sounds like you want to learn to move but don't like cars.

" @GetEveryone: Cruise control. "

The OP reminds me of Charles Finster.

Driving is nerve-racking sometimes, because it can be dangerous.  Gas prices are going through the roof.  Sometimes though, driving is a necessity.  You will get used to sitting in the driver's seat.  As long as you are careful, you have much less to worry about in terms of safety, just keep an eye out.  I don't like interstate highways because they are too wild, and there are usually other roads that can be taken instead.