How My Love of Cars Makes Me a Safer Driver

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork)
10/03/2015 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

I own a rear-wheel-drive 350hp sportscar, and I consider myself to be a safe driver, contrary to what some !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Yesterday I found myself on a side street in some random Wisconsin small town. The curb was lined with people decked out in school colors waiting for a Homecoming parade. I was so afraid of running over a little kid, I think I drove under 5 mph, but once I escaped the town back onto the open spaghetti asphalt the beans were given.

Which is a great example of my point: I enjoy exploiting the boundaries of wheel-slippage, sure, but only when I know the coast is clear and I have no one to harm but myself. I know the limits of my car and the consequences of getting it wrong.

I never want to not be able to drive. This crosses over to my consumption of alcohol when I know I might or have to drive. It’s not just about putting myself into a situation where I would get a DUI (something I would never do), even after a little I can’t control my car the way I want to ; I absolutely hate it.

I loose the connection between me and the car; I can’t feel the road, what the rear wheels are doing, or the chassis though my seat like I’m used to. After a drink I strongly consider not driving, even if I don’t feel a thing yet as I know I’m compromised when I get into the driver’s seat. It’s like giving a Formula 1 driver feather pillows to sit on.

And I don’t think I’m just an exception to the rule.

DISCUSSION (5)

Vicente Esteve > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
10/03/2015 at 15:45

Same here. I have driven to places 40 minutes away that are lonely and safe for me to hoon.

Urambo Tauro > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
10/03/2015 at 15:51

Ditto. 99% of my drinking happens at home, and when I do, I’ve already decided I’m not driving anywhere tonight. Maybe I’m being overly cautious, but that’s how I roll.

When I am driving, I have NO other responsibilities. I think that’s part of why I enjoy it so much. My passengers can wait. It doesn’t matter who is on the other end of the phone line. Forget about the CD that fell on the floor. My burrito is not important. My only job is driving. (“ You had one job...! ”)

Driving momentarily frees me from any and all other responsibilities. It’s not just the freedom of driving anywhere I please; it’s a different kind of freedom. Freedom from other responsibilities. No distractions.

philsphan09 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
10/03/2015 at 17:59

Agree with the logic....not sure I agree a Genesis is a sports car.

Urambo Tauro > philsphan09
10/03/2015 at 18:15

350hp? I’ll allow it.

philsphan09 > Urambo Tauro
10/04/2015 at 00:04

So the F150 is a sports vehicle?