Driving - Slow reactions. Manual vs. Automatic ect.

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Last year I was taking driving lessons in manual. I was doing pretty well, but some aspects of it put my anxiety levels through the roof. Not to mention the frustration of knowing everything in theory but failing to put it into practise.

My issues where as follows and in order of difficulty.

1. Slow reaction. I'll know what I need to do, but by the time I've started on it I'm too late. For example, slowing down before turning or coming up to a roundabout. This isn't just troublesome, but scary in the case of potential emergency stops.

2. Multi-tasking. Gears, steering, speed, sign posts, traffic and watching where your going all at once.

I went back to it today only I'm learning in automatic drive. I'm glad I decided to do so rather than manual as it addresses so much of the issue of multi-tasking. I think most people drive automatic in the US and mainland Europe (correct me if I'm wrong). Most of us are still manual, but it looks like we're catching-up.

Problem is, my snail-paced reactions are still an issue. Has anyone else experienced this either?

In Europe, most cars are still manual. In the USA it is the opposite.

There is certainly no shame in driving an automatic IF (and only IF) you are doing so with the awareness that it is being used to help you concentrate on the road, .e.g. one less thing to pay attention to.

Your RT is everything in driving. So practicing by driving a LOT with the intention of being 'on your game' is the only thing that will improve it. Your subconscious mind needs practice to take the load off of your conscious mind. Do you think a piano player 'thinks' about every note they strike? Of course not. And new drivers need to spend a lot of time training their subconscious mind to be taking part of the load of driving.

I'm on the road 2 hours every day in heavy, aggressive traffic. I get to work tired and get home tired, too. It takes a lot of effort to keep my mind sharp and paying attention to my environment.

Have you ever been in an accident? Can you admit that you eventually WILL BE without kicking yourself?

Let me give you a summary of my story: licensed at 18. Wrecked (as in, totalled) my first two cars, and smashed up my mother's car, too. By 21 I had been in 4 accidents that were my fault and one that was not. The state revoked my license.

I moved to another state, and became very, very cautious. Always looking ahead. Minding my speed relative to the other drivers. I'll tell you this about your reaction time: it matters less if you're WATCHING what is happening all around you. Most average drivers are NOT watching, which is why their RT is so bad.

So how about my driving now? I don't get pulled over. I don't get in to accidents. I've driven from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States twice...by myself. I don't get speeding tickets. I don't get pulled over. And most of all, I don't worry. It took be 5 years to be safe behind the wheel and gave my parents grey hair. But people who know me now, know me as a talented, competent driver.

I know your anxiety will be high for the first few years of driving. Its supposed to be: that's how your brain tells you that something is important. Just know that it won't last forever, and eventually you'll be able to get around with your subconscious doing most of the work for you.

M

I've been learning for nearly a year now, in a manual and reacting appropriately, especially around roundabouts, is something that is causing me problems. I'm slow to read the emerging situation and I'm not quick enough to take the right action before it's all changed again.

I tried to be more pro-active, but that ended up meaning I was pulling out on people when I shouldn't. I've gone back into cautious mode. I'd be happy to sit there and wait till all the traffic is gone! I hate the mini-roundabouts around here, they are so small and numerous, you have literally no time to make any kind of decision. I was stressing big time about this over the weekend. I keep hoping it will get better in time, but it feels like I get round them more by luck than judgement most of the time.

Does your instructor know you have AS? Mine doesn't. I did pick him as he said he takes on learning disabled people. Maybe I should tell him and he might be able to change how he approaches the lessons with me.

Definitely would suggest an automatic for Aspies with coordination problems. I learned on a manual but I seem to have milder AS. However I did switch to an automatic several years ago and it makes driving so much easier.

Roundabouts are something else. If anyone can share how the right way to approach and drive through one I'd love to know. I understand roundabouts are common in Europe but here in the States it is rare to come across one. However in Sedona, a nearby town, they have placed 4 roundabouts together and I almost had a heartattack going through them. The first time through I did ok following other drivers. But on the way back I went through it again from the opposite end and nearly got hit. How do you know who is suppose to go and who is suppose to sit still?

Roundabouts seem to be the most difficult thing to master for alot of people. It's the sheer number of cars, coming from different directions, going in different directions and anticipating who's going to move where and when! Of course there's a system, but my mind just gets overloaded, confusion sets in and all I can make-out is chaos.

He doesn't know I have AS, but is aware I have quite high levels of anxiety. He seems very understanding and calm and is aware of some of my particular driving difficulties. If it got too much to handle I'd probably mention it to him though. I think as long as the instructor knows where your difficulties are (due to AS or otherwise), it would be just the same giving them a name to go with it. Although some people might be more sympathetic and patient if you were to tell them it was connected to a particular condition.