My Car Driving Challenges!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Let me start up with my Driving Test experience.

I learnt to drive a car five years back from a driving school............

  * It seemed to be easy as instructor used to cover up my mistakes........

  * Got only less time behind the wheel before i took a driving test.....

  * learned basic skills as it was manual car and also felt less confident.

 * I failed in my first driving test as car switched off during my turn. Got very much disappointed still gained some confidence and passed my test.

* Later after five years we got our own car. 

I did few test drive and felt Tata Tiago suited me well as it had seat height adjustment. Also I felt comfortable and got good view point and confidence while driving it. So we booked our car and waited for more than six months as it was an EV vehicle.

That was too special car as my DH bought it for my sake though he cannot drive. We did Pooja of our new car and got our car key, with help of a driver we drove it to our apartment.

My first challenge started when I tried started my car for taking it to do Pooja in our apartment Vinayagar temple. Just by inserting key car will not start we need to hold break n bring to N ready and it was ready to start. I drove for Pooja and parked it back with long struggle.

From then on every day morning by five to six (less traffic time) used to drive my car for practice. My elder son and DH would help me go for practice.

One day there was heavy rain so I took help from our apartment driver to guide me when I drive. Although I am confident bit nervous to drive. Day by day I improved my skills by following a stereotype driving pattern like I used to maintain same lane driving, start to school pickup half an hour early than usual to avoid heavy traffic on road and easy to park my vehicle in school as well. Somehow I got used up with day driving. Next is to practice night driving.

I used to take my vehicle whenever I get opportunity to pick up any guests late night from the bus stop or drop them at bus stop. Likewise I gained night driving skills and slowly started to take vehicle confidently during night time.

Of course learning to drive on city traffic in Chennai will help you master your driving skills for sure. Only thing we need to be patient and you need a trustable partner with you so you don't need to panic during tough times. My on road partner is my elder son who supports me, though my DH and younger son too support at times.

Driving is nothing but hand, foot and eye coordination at the right time according to me.

• I had a good steering control when i first started to drive and was less confident to judge my left and front side.  This skill can be mastered after repeated self-practising hours on your car. 
• Using indicators and horn was not that tough to master.
• On road fear and routes was not that difficult as i was a good two wheeler driver.
• Use of wipers during travel was initially tough and later got used to it.
• Initially i was mindful using brake and accelerator pedals i used to keep my foot raised with support so that i can easily apply brake when needed, this created leg pain after driving. due to anxiety i used to sweat as i was extra cautious when going with my kids , so i never raised my speed above 40, that was bit helpful maintaining mileage of my EV car.
•  When driving on high road if we brake and accelerate car may drift back little, i would be nervous to do so and feared i may hit vehicles behind me, but after a year i was able to manage that as well.
• Driving on road bumper to bumper was tough as i may give way to many moving vehicles as i stay safe distance leaving more gap in front. This fear too i overcame after many days of practising. 

Above are some inputs from my driving experience. Though many male drivers supports and be patient on road which was helpful in mastering the needed skills which i lagged few criticised and involved road rage for i was female. I learned to stay calm on those situations and stayed away from these people.

 

You may think i didn’t face any accidents....twice i hit my car on wall when i accelerated more during parking inside our apartment parking i couldn’t sleep thinking of that. Later we fixed that dent with insurance coverage. Henceforth i stayed extra careful. I feel so very proud for crossing 6000km behind wheel..............Of course learning continues...............challenges too awaiting in my journey...............will share more soon.................... :) 👩😃