Aspieness and driving skills ...

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I know that many aspies out there like to drive in a car, truck, even a motorcycle, whatever. If you're on the road, how do you tell if someone is an aspie? Maybe the following are some tips to keep in mind ... well, at least five tips.

(1) Most aspies will stop at every stop sign, stop at every red light, obey all the signs to the tee, whatever. I doubt if you'll find too many aspies taking ridiculous chances out there. It isn't the aspie thing to do, if you know what I mean.

(2) If you see two cars clowning around, say drag racing or speeding or acting aggressively, I doubt if he / she is an aspie. Maybe some aspies drive aggressively under a few circumstances, say they get pissed if someone cuts them off or whatever, but for the most part, I doubt if aspies do the kinds of things many stupid teenagers like to do.

(3) Most likely, an aspie either will take great care of their car or refuse to take care of it. If you see a car that is really shiny, then maybe its owner is an aspie. If you see a car that is dented, dirty and / or grimy, then maybe its owner is an aspie. I doubt aspies have average-looking cars. They're either real shiny and well-kept or dirty and dented.

(4) If you are coming out of a store and see a car parked in the parking lot alone in a space that produces a long walk, given that the car was not there from a time when the lot may have been crowded, that person might be an aspie. I suppose there are those aspies that don't like to park nearby others, because they like their space. They may like to be free of crowded areas.

(5) If you get stopped by a cop, then just pull out your aspergers identification card, say the one you can get from a local autism society group or something. Using this card, the cop should know better than to give you a ticket. Why? Well, you're aspie, and we by nature tend to follow the rules. If a cop does stop us for something, then it has got to be for something really stupid. Our aspie card may be our "get out of a ticket" card ... and, if you do receive a ticket, just tell the cop that he needs to read up on aspergers a little!

- Ray M -

i always park in the deepest darkest corner of a car park to avoid people dinging my door with theirs, i hayte this..and i hayte being over croded too...i always lose my car when i park it amongst other cars and end up walking home to come back later to find it when there is less vehicles in the car park.. i used to own 2 cars for this reason.

eh, I had a pretty dingy car, but I still parked it in the far, empty sides of parking lots. It is easier to get in and out of the parking space if there are no other cars around.

I'd like to park close but I hate driving around looking for an empty spot. So, I tend to park in the first empty spot I find.

The thing about the "Aspergers Card" . . . W T F!?!? AS is no excuse to get out of a ticket. If you can't drive then stay the f*** off the roads PLEASE. Bad drivers: do a favor for everyone and stay off the road.

I maintain my truck and it has no "dings" but I definitely do not clean it. I use the floor and extended cab as a place to throw garbage. I just keep up with the maintenance such as oil changes and tire rotation.

I am going to take your comments one at a time:

I would think that there are some rules that would be disobeyed because there is no logic behind the rule. For example, most speed limits are set by politicians rather than engineers. I am sure that the aspie like most people in this regard will drive at whatever speed is safe for that particular road. I for example will usually drive at 70 - 75 mph on the interstate system as that is the speed in which the system was designed for. Of course, I still get angry stares because I have the nerve to drive at 70 in a 65 zone in Wisconsin while the others are doing 75 - 80.

The same goes for red lights, particularly yellow to red. The issue here is the safety of stopping. Most yellow lights are not engineered to stay long enough for traffic to stop safely. In fact, one organization offered $10,000 to any community that set their traffic lights to best engineering practices and found no reduction in red light running. They had no takers.



Some do. For example, I liked to do "donuts" in empty parking lots in the winter. This actually served a purpose of getting used to how the vehicle feels when going into a skid so that I would be able to recover quicker if it happened on the road. I have also been known to drive without getting enough sleep (actually drove a very dangerous section of US 219 once based on rote memory rather than what I was seeing on the road).



I think that depends on the age of the vehicle and whether person see more value in taking care of what is under the hood rather than the outside apperance. For example, I usually run my vehicles into the ground before getting another one. My current vehicle is a 1995 Dodge Caravan that I purchased in 2000 with 70,000 miles on it. It now has 216,000 miles and I am beginning to think about putting money aside to purchase another one next year (I really want another caravan with the sto-n-go seating arrangement).




I like the long want because I do not want to spend 20 minutes looking for a close spot. I also like to pull forward when possible rather than try to back out. I tend to visit stores when they are not busy so I usually find a close spot.



Now this is stupid. You should not be able to use AS as an excuse to get out of a ticket. I have never done that. The only reason I could see telling the officer that you have AS is if the lights they use cause possible sensory issues. Other than that, if you are suspected of violating the law, you deserve a ticket (I say suspected because quite a few times, the evidence used against you is suspect and has errors. In NJ, a ticketed motorist got out of a speeding ticket where the speed was determined by laser when the defense pointed the unit at a court room wall and it registered 4 mph).

Regarding AS and tickets: I agree; you should not be able to get out of a ticket if you have committed a violation. If AS causes you to commit dangerous traffic violations, you should not be able to have a driver's license in the first place.

I'm 23 and have no driver's license, and no car to practice with. I would like one; but I'm not sure whether I'll ever be able to organize enough people to help me with the large amount of practice I think I would need.

When I went to Driver's Ed, I received an A in the classroom and a D on the road; when I re-took the class, the grades were A+ (for perfect test scores) and C-.

I think it might have something to do with poor reflexes, or just a lack of practice; but I still haven't found anyone to help me learn to drive, since I'm socially isolated by choice (I have friends, but I don't spend a great deal of time with them).

However, I'm very good at riding a bicycle. I can even stand up on the pedals, take my hands off the handlebars, and coast for a while like that (let's hear it for the gyroscopic effect!). I can carry big things like my entire three weeks' worth of laundry while riding a bike; I can hold a paper cup of coffee (with lid) in one hand and ride home without spilling it. I don't do those sorts of things with people nearby, for safety's sake.

I do obey all traffic rules, except when they are illogical. For example, the main street in our town is very busy, with large trucks coming through a narrow road; and there is a rule that bicycles are not allowed on the sidewalks. However, if I were to ride my bicycle in the street, I would obstruct traffic and make the road more dangerous both for me and the people in the cars and trucks. I can stop much more quickly for a pedestrian than a truck can stop for me; so it makes much more sense to stay on the sidewalk, where I can easily evade a pedestrian, stop before hitting them, or steer into the grass if necessary.

I need a new bicycle now, though: My current bicycle has a bad seat, bad wheels, a flat tire, ineffective brakes, and cost $67 new--the cost of repairs would be more than the cost of the bicycle.

So, nowadays, I walk.

I don't clean my Civic either. And the floorboards are a GREAT place to put trash! I must have about 30 water bottles in various stages of consumption behind my seat. I just can't be bothered to keep it spotless in there.

I sometimes drive very slowly, but with the tuner car (with it's worn out shocks) that I have, slow, cadilac turns are sometimes necessary.

1,2,3, & 4....Wow, I'm a little too obvious.

I was really suprised not to see more posts about the shear terror , for aspies, of driving. This is such a huge issue for me right now because it is keeping me from getting another job....most of the places I would have to go to to apply and train are about 30 min drive through big city and on highway...this is killing me!I hate my current job but my driving phobia and panic attacks are making ,the already overwhelming task of applying for a job, a nightmare.(what a drama queen)....but really!I am so frustrated and stressed about this. ...I didnt even get my license until I was 30...and only drive places that I have either been to in someone elses car,several times....so I know what to expect......and within 10 min of my home.....hate freeways...people going to fast, dont they know how many people are killed and maimed in vehical accidents every year....they worried about a terrorist attack, but not the druncks and cell phone junkies on the road!!!I guess, ignorance , really is bliss.....


I think I need some of those blinders they used to put on horses in the cities to block out all the stimulation and seemingly random information.

Actually, I rarely ever forget where I parked the car. There are only a select few occasions where I have had this sort of problem. One was in a large college parking lot. And that's why I like having a remote to unlock the car. It makes this sort of noise when you press the button to lock it, such as a horn beep. Then, you know exactly where it is.

- Ray M -

I'm an excellent driver. My dad lets me drive slow in the driveway.

Sorry...i just couldn't resist.

I seem to be an Aspie excetion. I LOVE drivng fast. I'm just finishing up building an 800 Horsepower Super/Comp Dragster. I used to race go-carts too. Driving fast RULES!! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !

I agree with most of you all here that being aspie is no excuse for violating traffic laws, but I do think it's a good idea to let the cop know, so they won't intimidate, or do anything that could aggrivate the situation, and make someting simple go really bad. As a general rule though, it seems like aspies are pretty good drivers.

I believe I am a pretty good driver, but I have my times that I may not be, especially when the traffic is busy and there's lots going on. It's hard to keep up with all the vehicles moving around you. One of the things that I can't stand is a poorly handling vehicle. Me and the vehicle become one, and I like a vehicle that will respond quickly when I need it to. I seem to understand the basic physics of how an automobile handles better than they typical person out there too. I see people doing some stupid things with large, bulky vehicles, and I also see people driving vehicles overly-cautious that will definitely handle better.

I park far at times because I don't have the time to search for an empty spot near the entrance when the lot is crowded. Plus, I'm able to get out faster, and I get in some more excercize by parking farther in the lot. My car's relatively clean on the outside, but the inside is full of dog hair as I sometimes take my dogs to the local dog beach. I also have various water bottles, temporary parking passes for my gym, and a hair clip in the car. On occasion, I'll leave a coffee cup in the holder, and I always have quarters for feeding any parking meeters I may use. My gym is on the local university campus, so I have a card that I use to get a 2-hour pass for the lots near the gym.

My driving record is good, I have yet to get a ticket as I'm careful to stop longer than a "California stop" which is more of slowing down. Sometimes, I will wait until I feel safe to make a right turn at a red light, which often gets the person behind me to honk. I do go 70-75mph on the freeways which say 65 but the flow of traffic is usually 70. As for stop signs, there's this one in my neighborhood that is blocked by a tree, so I've missed it on occasion. I get nervous when I do because had there been a cop who saw that, I would have deserved that ticket. I won't use my Aspiness to get me out of a ticket, if I broke a traffic law, I should get the ticket. As long as I treat the officer with respect and politeness, nothing bad will happen.

(1) Most aspies will stop at every stop sign, stop at every red light, obey all the signs to the tee, whatever. I doubt if you'll find too many aspies taking ridiculous chances out there. It isn't the aspie thing to do, if you know what I mean.

I follow all the rules when it's needed.
But i refuse to drive slow when it's a perfectly straight road where it's safe to.
I usually never follow the speed limits.
But when it comes to crossing points, and stuff or watching whose next to u when u turn i'm verry carefull with that.

(2) If you see two cars clowning around, say drag racing or speeding or acting aggressively, I doubt if he / she is an aspie. Maybe some aspies drive aggressively under a few circumstances, say they get pissed if someone cuts them off or whatever, but for the most part, I doubt if aspies do the kinds of things many stupid teenagers like to do.

I love speed.

(3) Most likely, an aspie either will take great care of their car or refuse to take care of it. If you see a car that is really shiny, then maybe its owner is an aspie. If you see a car that is dented, dirty and / or grimy, then maybe its owner is an aspie. I doubt aspies have average-looking cars. They're either real shiny and well-kept or dirty and dented.

I don't take great care of it.
I'm known for neglecting stuff like that.

(4) If you are coming out of a store and see a car parked in the parking lot alone in a space that produces a long walk, given that the car was not there from a time when the lot may have been crowded, that person might be an aspie. I suppose there are those aspies that don't like to park nearby others, because they like their space. They may like to be free of crowded areas.

If it's easyer to park i wil.

(5) If you get stopped by a cop, then just pull out your aspergers identification card, say the one you can get from a local autism society group or something. Using this card, the cop should know better than to give you a ticket. Why? Well, you're aspie, and we by nature tend to follow the rules. If a cop does stop us for something, then it has got to be for something really stupid. Our aspie card may be our "get out of a ticket" card ... and, if you do receive a ticket, just tell the cop that he needs to read up on aspergers a little!

I have no AS identification card so i couldn't use it.
It's my own responsibility.
I'm not gonna use AS as an excuse to get out of stuff.

LOL!

I like to keep my car very clean and tidy. Mum said I should keep some muesli bars or something in the car in case I get hungry and don't want to buy food. The thought of keeping food in my car?.........Um, no.
I have my road book in there and a box of tissues. In the boot (trunk, heh) I have a bottle of coolant, a bottle of oil and a cloth. That's all.
I used to take my car every week to the RhinoWash to wash and vacuum it myself. Now I do it at home. Not as often right now because it's winter here.