Do most Aspies end up driving in the end?

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Sweet ride!

I have been driving for over 40 years, since I was 14, and never had a problem with it. First I learned to drive an automatic, then a few years later I learned to drive a manual. The first few months of driving each was a little difficult, but then once I had enough practice it was easy.

The only thing I'm not very good at is backing up. I just avoid backing up when ever possible. Fortunately the several times I have taken driving tests, they didn't make me do much backing up. Just the basic backing out of a parking space and parallel parking, and the parallel parking was between cones spaced far apart. In real world parallel parking it's not that unusual for me to hit the curb with my wheels. If I ever had to take a driving test where I had to back up a long distance in a straight line, like a lot of people have to do, I would probably be in trouble.

I have driven in all conditions from rural country driving to large cities, and it's all good. The only possible difficulty is city center driving in heavy traffic. I can do it but it's a little stressful. Same with freeway driving in congested stop and go traffic.

The best way to avoid road rage situations is to drive right, and don't do anything to piss off other drivers. At most maybe one time a year I do something that pisses off another driver enough to beep their horn at me or something, and that is usually all there is to it.

I don't multitask while driving. I just concentrate on driving the car. My cell phone is always turned off while I'm driving. I like to analyze traffic situations and anticipate what other drivers are going to do. I can spot potential problems like bikes and pedestrians out of the corner of my eye well in advance, so I don't worry about that.

So, yeah. I think I'm a good driver. I love driving.

I just got my license this summer and I had a lot of the same anxieties you have.
Here are some things to keep in mind:

*Most car accidents are not fatal. They're usually fender benders at low speeds.
*It's kind of like riding a bike. Keep your eyes focused on the place you want to go, and your body will automatically make adjustments to steering to keep you on that path.
*Usually if you're just driving on a normal road, not merging and not near a passing lane, you don't need to worry too much about the mirrors, but you should still keep tabs on what's going on behind you occasionally in case somebody decides to tailgate.
*Just because a car can cause damage, doesn't mean it will. Most people are good about looking for pedestrians, and most pedestrians are careful around cars.
*When you're driving, you don't have to roll down the window. You also don't have to have in-depth conversations or listen to music if you don't want to (though classical music or any genre that calms you and helps you focus could help).
*Drive the way you feel comfortable driving, within reason. If you don't feel comfortable going the speed limit, you can slow down a bit, and if other people don't like it they can detour. Just don't slow down too much (you might want to look up traffic laws because I can't help you with specifics).

It definitely depends on where you live. I'm good in rural and suburban areas but had an absolute meltdown with 3 other people in the car driving in Dublin. We survived the trip, but now I only do public transportation in cities. There's way too much happening and it's way past my threshold.

I echo these sentiments.



Me too, and the mountainbiking trails I ride are about 20 minutes away.

LimboMan, whilst I've had some wig outs over the years, and did get into some hot water at one time, nobody was hurt and nothing bad has ever really happened.

I'm incredibly hard on myself and those who know me just say with a big grin, "only you".

Moderating my anxiety is the reason I'm able to drive without too much drama, and is far more important than worrying about what might or might not happen.

I'm great at driving. I started driving 5 years ago, and the only damage I've gotten was this flat spot on the back corner of my car from backing into a truck in a parking lot. I am a lot more careful than most people when I drive, and I never use my phone while on the road.

I've driven since I was 15. I still get anxious in traffic congestion, but I can usually avoid it.

I learned to drive when I was 17, I mastered the technical side but I couldn't deal with other drivers and pedestrians.

I sometimes used to sneak out and drive at 2am when no-one was around, it was wonderful not having to think about people walking nearby or lots of other cars.

Try driving at very quiet times or in places away from people, you'll get a better idea of the problem then, as you will be able to focus completely on your driving skills without distraction.

I never sat my test and haven't driven in 20 years, I cannot handle all aspects of driving at once, I just can't process it all.