Driving, what a chore

shifty_uk · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:04

I only started driving in 2007 and have noticed the vast increase in congestion through the years.

My journeys on average take double the time they would've done in the past. Not to mention the fact that the entire central belt of Scotland seems to be in roadwork chaos from the Forth road bridge right the way through to Glasgow and every surrounding town.

With the congestion increases comes higher likelihood of accidents and breakdowns; I was sat in traffic for 2 this morning, one old timer breaking down in a Jazz and one more serious accident with a white van. I don't even commute in rush hour!!

I moved to a town that's right on the edge of the motorway, close to everything you could possibly want within 15 minutes including my family. Do I get to these destinations in 15 minutes? Do I ****. I'd move to the countryside if I didn't need to be so close to the motorway.

/RANT

I can't be the only one who dreads the thought of getting into the car nowadays? I love(d) driving

nas · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:07

auto or manual?

phil675 · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:11

After having to go up the M6 to Wolverhampton a few times, I got a motorbike, cut an hour off the journey.

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:13

Driving isn't a chore with the right car.

Skillmister · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:13

5 minute commute (if traffic is bad), generally quiet and enjoyable A/B roads in all directions, all amenities close by along said enjoyable roads. Never a chore

(except for trying to leave the local retail park which has one of the worst traffic light + mini roundabout layouts I've ever seen, it's rage inducing every single time)

shifty_uk · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:14

nas said:
auto or manual?

Auto

pepsilol · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:22

shifty_uk said:
I only started driving in 2007 and have noticed the vast increase in congestion through the years.

My journeys on average take double the time they would've done in the past. Not to mention the fact that the entire central belt of Scotland seems to be in roadwork chaos from the Forth road bridge right the way through to Glasgow and every surrounding town.

With the congestion increases comes higher likelihood of accidents and breakdowns; I was sat in traffic for 2 this morning, one old timer breaking down in a Jazz and one more serious accident with a white van. I don't even commute in rush hour!!

I moved to a town that's right on the edge of the motorway, close to everything you could possibly want within 15 minutes including my family. Do I get to these destinations in 15 minutes? Do I ****. I'd move to the countryside if I didn't need to be so close to the motorway.

/RANT

I can't be the only one who dreads the thought of getting into the car nowadays? I love(d) driving

Dunno, automatic, massaging seats, double glazing, HK sound system and distronic plus keep me pretty happy about any congestion on the road

Akagi · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:26

My 25 minute journey took an hour this morning because of traffic. It wouldn't be so bad if peoples driving standards were up to scratch... Things would flow better.

HangTime · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:33

According to ONS, road traffic (vehicle miles) in year to June was 1.6% higher than in September 2007. So it is higher, but not massively higher.

Obviously, vehicle miles are not the only factor in congestion but the increase in traffic is dwarfed in proportional terms compared to increase in number of rail passengers for example.

shifty_uk · 13 Oct 2016 at 11:33

pepsilol said:
Dunno, automatic, massaging seats, double glazing, HK sound system and distronic plus keep me pretty happy about any congestion on the road

Yep, I have all the mod cons, too (maybe not massage seats - would heated do?

) it's more to do with wasting time sitting there staring at taillights for hours on end and not being able to actually enjoy the roads.

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2016 at 12:22

shifty_uk said:
Yep, I have all the mod cons, too (maybe not massage seats - would heated do? ) it's more to do with wasting time sitting there staring at taillights for hours on end and not being able to actually enjoy the roads.

You live within a trivial distance of some of the most stunning and empty roads anywhere in the Western world.

Stop moaning

Uther · 13 Oct 2016 at 12:34

shifty_uk said:
I only started driving in 2007 and have noticed the vast increase in congestion through the years.

My journeys on average take double the time they would've done in the past. Not to mention the fact that the entire central belt of Scotland seems to be in roadwork chaos from the Forth road bridge right the way through to Glasgow and every surrounding town.

With the congestion increases comes higher likelihood of accidents and breakdowns; I was sat in traffic for 2 this morning, one old timer breaking down in a Jazz and one more serious accident with a white van. I don't even commute in rush hour!!

I moved to a town that's right on the edge of the motorway, close to everything you could possibly want within 15 minutes including my family. Do I get to these destinations in 15 minutes? Do I ****. I'd move to the countryside if I didn't need to be so close to the motorway.

/RANT

I can't be the only one who dreads the thought of getting into the car nowadays? I love(d) driving

I drove from Fife to the midlands a couple of weeks ago, and the traffic around Glasgow, and Scotland in general is not in the same league as the traffic on the M6 on the way back, around Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke, Birmingham...

Semple · 13 Oct 2016 at 12:42

The M5 and M6 are plagued with long-term roadworks though, as they upgrade large sections to smart motorways.

Personally i don't think smart motorways will do a great deal, ok it's an extra lane, but the smart motorway at J8 of the M6 still gets snarled up with traffic.

roadie · 13 Oct 2016 at 13:43

[TW]Fox;30100590 said:
Driving isn't a chore with the right car.

I differ in opinion. Sitting in traffic as per OP is wasted time in which you can't be productive, no matter what the car.

Richdog · 13 Oct 2016 at 13:46

[TW]Fox;30100590 said:
Driving isn't a chore with the right car.

What, so it's enjoyable sitting in slow moving traffic or a traffic jam as long as you have the 'right car?

Hmm.

pepsilol · 13 Oct 2016 at 13:47

Richdog said:
What, so it's awesome sitting in slow moving traffic or a traffic jam as long as you have the 'right car'?

Mmkay.

He said it isn't a chore. Sitting in traffic doesn't feel like a chore to me, it's not awesome but it's certainly not a chore :confused:

How did you manage to twist that so badly?

Richdog · 13 Oct 2016 at 13:50

pepsilol said:
He said it isn't a chore. Sitting in traffic doesn't feel like a chore to me, it's not awesome but it's certainly not a chore

How did you manage to twist that so badly?

I didn't twist it, he just wrote something particularly illogical.

How can sitting in traffic on a daily, or near-daily basis not be a chore? The OP is clearly referring to not enjoying driving on his daily commute due to the bad traffic conditions, and I fail to see how to see he could drastically change that by having a different car.

pepsilol · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:00

Richdog said:
I didn't twist it, he just wrote something particularly illogical.

How can sitting in traffic on a daily, or near-daily basis not be a chore? The OP is clearly referring to not enjoying driving on his daily commute due to the bad traffic conditions, and I fail to see how to see he could drastically change that by having a different car.

I feel very relaxed on my commute. I am fully isolated from anyone, I am extremely comfortable and I am left to reflect on the day or the day ahead without any distractions whatsoever.

As I don't plan to live where I work a commute is obligatory to me and instead of reflecting at home I can do it in the car for half an hour.

Richdog · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:02

pepsilol said:
I feel very relaxed on my commute. I am fully isolated from anyone, I am extremely comfortable and I am left to reflect on the day or the day ahead without any distractions whatsoever.

As I don't plan to live where I work a commute is obligatory to me and instead of reflecting at home I can do it in the car for half an hour.

That's fantastic, thanks for the info.

Skillmister · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:06

Richdog said:
That's fantastic, thanks for the info.

You did ask how it can not be a chore and got a suitable response.

In a way I used to like my longer commute for that same reason. It wouldn't be preferable to my current commute but I rarely, if ever, felt it was a chore.