Is it normal that i am a nervous passenger?

75% Normal
12 Comments

I'm sure you have heard of nervous drivers, however I am a nervous passenger. I hate being passengers in cars, because I only trust a handful of people (including myself) to drive. Maybe it's because my friends seem to drift into the shoulder of the highway, or I have a few friends who think they're great at driving standard yet it's like a fucking cocktail shaker when they shift. I have one friend who also thinks that there is absolutely no problem with tailgating EVEN during a white-out blizzard. My mother also thinks she is a fantastic driver, even though she has hit countless poles while backing up, and even completely trashed the side of my dad's truck.

I feel safe driving with my boyfriend, my father, my best friend and anyone that actually practices safe driving. At the same time, if any of the people mentioned above go drifting or mess around I have never felt unsafe. If someone's driving is scaring the shit out of me I just sit there and wait for it to be over. I never criticize anyone's driving even if it scares the shit out of me. Is it normal to be THIS nervous when others are driving?

Voting Results
75% Normal
Based on 16 votes (12 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 12 )
  • Dad
    9 years ago

    I have a similar nervousness when I'm a passenger.
    In my view no one can drive as well as me! All people are potential accidents and therefore I MUST at least be in the front passenger seat to take over when its needed :D

    I understand that this is a minor disorder of mine, I shouldn't feel like this as a passenger, I honestly feel that 99% of people have 'accidents' because of their own fault Everything is avoidable, I drive stacks every single day for decades and haven't had an accident since I foolishly locked up the wheels in the wet when I was about 20; so I obviously relate. I also teach others to drive (in this case I still feel in control).

    Someone once said to me that that I should just accept when others are driving and remember we all die sometime. This hasn't helped me to relax! Seriously cold sweat.

    In my view I can drive in all conditions (even icy snowy roads) I know all road rules and can easily stick to them (although at times I need to alter the legal conditions (ie max speed for instance) to be more safe. Basically road laws are NOT made for people who are 'drivers' in the real sense of the word.

    I'd suggest never losing your license and keeping your car maintained so as YOU are the driver. When you must be a passenger sit in the front seat. Or if you must sit in the back then get drunk first Lol, since you are obviously right :D

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Spankz
      9 years ago

      I drive very competently for my age (and gender hehe) in any type of weather. I have so many friends who think that because their dinky little Audi is AWD that they can't take a s-turn doing 140 when it's icy. No, you can't. Stop that. My friend who claims to be an "amazing" driver has been in the ditch 3 times this year alone and yet he's the one that harps on me to get winter tires although in the past 4 years I have NEVER been in a ditch or in an accident.

      I cannot believe how stupid people are in bad weather conditions, or even in good weather conditions! Accidents are almost 100% avoidable unless you're a poor sucker who gets t-boned at an intersection. But, I am constantly scanning my surroundings and observing, I feel like I see almost everything.

      I'm happy I'm not the only nervous passenger haha. I thought I was just crazy and paranoid lol

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • Dad
        9 years ago

        You sound very much like me.
        Buuut your profile (no stalking just scanned over your name) says 20?
        You know, I was good at 20 as well. I think what made me good (and this may not sound ideal for most 'safe' drivers) was hooning around. ie Illegal street drags, sideways on corners, very fast car, you name it I did it.

        Anyway, looking back to those days its a wonder I didn't kill anyone or myself.
        I know now that going 100 in residential areas (not that 'speed' itself is the factor) is NOT safe for anyone. Let alone sideways, 360's and anything I could make the car do!

        AFTER that time I found I was a better driver for it (I suppose young dumb luck got me through it really) I started driving 'safer' and learning about the entire road and conditions other cars, trucks, bikes, pedestrians, trees :) Everything.

        I am so over confident now (I don't feel my over confidence is wrong btw) That I KNOW that I won't be in an accident today, it is impossible. When I was a kid I loved playing chess, and seriously on the road > I look ahead (and all around) and try to anticipate all possibilities whilst driving safely down the road!

        Anyway, my point.
        You are 20? I just can't see how you could be as good as me (seriously stated with best intentions here, I actually admire your ability) I can't see how you could be 'safe', unless (and I hope not) that you are one of those 'safe' drivers that drive to the rules and conditions and therefore you feel you are good? Yes I drive to the conditions to, but I also know I can get out of anything (hoon days :) ).
        I'm just concerned that 'maybe' you may not be fully there yet. Definitely right path, but at 20? I just can't see it. At 20 I thought I was invincible on the road - I wasn't. I'd say most 20yo (usually boys!) think they're the best at that age too, they're not.

        So IF you fall into the confident young age of being the best, I'd highly suggest those advanced driving courses (I did that too, sorry just proud because it was on the car race circuit and I don't think they do that anymore for just anyone).
        I don't know but if I had to bet on it, I'd say you're not good (how mean I know) I just can't see how a 20yo could be a 'driver' as I know it.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • Spankz
          9 years ago

          The first winter I had my license I took my car to a local parking lot during an ice storm and learned exactly what it was like to lose control and regain control. Then, I took it on a snowy day and drifted the hell out of my car so I learned how to maintain control with that. I believe that those elements should actually be a part of driving training, because I have never lost control in winter without the ability to regain it.

          Both my mother and father are in the military and my father has taken countless defensive and advanced driving courses (it was required by his position at one time) and he was the one who taught me how to drive. On top of that I also took a 6 month driving course before I got my license.

          I don't doubt that I'm not as good as you, well because I'm so young and have much to learn! But, there are many techniques that my father taught me that have made me an excellent driver for my age group. He used to take me out in bad weather conditions and get me to drive in them, teaching me how to handle certain situations, etc. Hell, he even taught me road side maintenance like changing a tire, or quick fixes if something in your engine breaks!

          So, although I'm definitely not as good as a seasoned competent driver, for someone who has been driving for 4 years I can honestly say that I am better than most adults in my city, but that isn't hard to beat because my city was actually declared to have the worst drivers in Canada haha. I know I'm not the best driver in the world, but I certainly am extremely good for someone who is only 20 :p

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • Dad
            9 years ago

            You definitely beat me at 20, not that I was really implying competition. I suppose its easy to stereotype with the young and accidents; not including the elderly or Mom's at school time :D

            To me you sound like where I'd like my daughter to be at, presently still not old enough to be licensed on the road on her own.

            Its refreshing knowing that other than a meteorite (Lol) you'll be ok. Here's a hint, you are correct to state that there are no accidents, therefore I cannot see how you could be in one. I'm sure your Dad (really family) would be very proud of you since you are still very young :)

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • Spankz
              9 years ago

              Haha, no worries. Almost all the drivers I know at my age are aggressive on the road, so the stereotype more than often applies to us quite accurately. Whenever I see an accident it is almost always with either 2 young people or a young person that has hit an older person. So, the stigma that surrounds my age group is definitely not unwarranted!

              If my dad is ever unable to drive somewhere he employs me to take him before my mother, so I would say he's rather proud of me. It's just unfortunate that my ability makes me so nervous when I'm in the car with others hehe

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0
  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    9 years ago

    howre yall in airplanes?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I am actually fine with airplanes, because I know the pilots are trained and there are more car crashes than plane crashes. I quite enjoy flying!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • chained_rage
        9 years ago

        There are more cars than there are planes

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
          -
        • Spankz
          9 years ago

          Well duhhhhhhh, but pilots are also not idiots that drop turbos in their vehicles without being able to handle the power. They are highly trained individuals. My father was a fighter pilot and although it wasn't a commercial plane I know just how much training they must complete before they get into the sky.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • chained_rage
            9 years ago

            Dont you fucking duh me you piece of shit :-|
            If you took a little time before throwing around something like "more people die in car crashes" and thought things through, you wouldnt look like a stupid cunt.

            If the amount of planes in the sky were equal to the amount of cars on the road, there would be far more deaths in the air than there would be on the road.
            You must put apples and apples together. Not apples and pears.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • Spankz
              9 years ago

              Seriously? It was a playful retort. You don't have to whip out insults, you could have easily explained everything you just said without calling me stupid or a cunt.

              Big deal, I was wrong. I'm able to listen and learn as long as it is presented in an intelligent way. You're right, I didn't look at it that way. Comparing cars to planes isn't really logical.

              However, if you really get that frustrated when someone playfully replies with "duuuuh" after you made an obvious statement, then I'm definitely making note to avoid you on this site. If you can't joke around, then sheesh, stay the hell away from me!

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0