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raccoon

(31,454 posts)
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 06:50 AM Oct 14

Recently I've discovered that driving in clogged up traffic, creeping along a few feet at the time, on an interstate,

just wears me out. I am 73.

the other day on I95, I drove about 8 miles in that kind of mess.

Has anyone noticed this sort of thing?

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Recently I've discovered that driving in clogged up traffic, creeping along a few feet at the time, on an interstate, (Original Post) raccoon Oct 14 OP
Having a comfy car with good sound helps. Turbineguy Oct 14 #1
that sounds great! raccoon Oct 14 #2
I'd never heard of adaptive speed controls before, what a great thing! lark Oct 14 #7
OMG. I wish I could afford a new car with that feature. I keep reading about the new cars and all their bells and ratchiweenie Oct 14 #9
I am 73 SilverDawg Oct 14 #3
I'm 75, a lot of things wear me out... Joinfortmill Oct 14 #4
You just described me perfectly! PittBlue Oct 14 #5
I try to relax and enjoy the safety of it Easterncedar Oct 14 #6
Agree totally. marked50 Oct 14 #8
Even in the late 80's, when we were RV'ing marybourg Oct 14 #11
Good advice. marked50 Oct 14 #12
I live in the foothills, and my drive to either large city is 50 miles. usonian Oct 14 #10
I'm 76 and I still drive a stick, if that is encouraging. PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 14 #13

Turbineguy

(38,372 posts)
1. Having a comfy car with good sound helps.
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:01 AM
Oct 14

Mine has the adaptive cruise control. I set it for the speed limit and let the car do the work of accelerating and stopping. I only have to interact when another car merges slowly.

lark

(24,149 posts)
7. I'd never heard of adaptive speed controls before, what a great thing!
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:16 AM
Oct 14

I sure could have used one of those when I was working and driving through massive traffic twice a day.

ratchiweenie

(7,923 posts)
9. OMG. I wish I could afford a new car with that feature. I keep reading about the new cars and all their bells and
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:43 AM
Oct 14

whistles and I must say I'm envious. I drive a 2005 Altima with 154,000 miles on it. At least it's a reliable workhorse.

SilverDawg

(858 posts)
3. I am 73
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:29 AM
Oct 14

And I haven’t driven on the interstate in years. Yes, it’s extremely tiring and dangerous! People drive so fast and those oversized pickup trucks are the worst.

Joinfortmill

(16,377 posts)
4. I'm 75, a lot of things wear me out...
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:35 AM
Oct 14

I've become a bit of a hothouse plant. I don't like it much 'out there'.

Easterncedar

(3,519 posts)
6. I try to relax and enjoy the safety of it
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:00 AM
Oct 14

As a break from coping with the speed demons and monster trucks.

But yeah, the clogs are exhausting.

marked50

(1,441 posts)
8. Agree totally.
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 08:36 AM
Oct 14

Interesting that you posted this today.

I am 71 and took a long driving trip over the last week. Was going from New Mexico to South Dakota using mostly I-25. Now, it was my mistake to hit Denver at Rush hour time ( was delayed a bit on the south leg). Took over an hour, stop and go, just to get thru Denver on I-25. Oh, Well, just had to endure.

On the return, I got smart (or so I thought). Was going to go thru Denver on the southbound trip on Saturday at around 5pm--weekend you know. Got to be smooth going. Wrong, totally backed up again on all the roads, including full stops on some. What in the world is going on? Do you have to drive at 1am now?

Forget adaptive cruise control. Just don't drive anywhere.

marybourg

(13,181 posts)
11. Even in the late 80's, when we were RV'ing
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 04:07 PM
Oct 14

around the west, trips that included going through Denver were always timed so that the Denver passage occurred on Sunday morning and no other time, when Denverites were either in church or still in bed.

usonian

(13,772 posts)
10. I live in the foothills, and my drive to either large city is 50 miles.
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 10:00 AM
Oct 14

Of mostly winding roads for half the trip. I counted 80 bends or turns, all on the near half, and redneck political signs, so I actually prefer to drive after sunset. All of it two lanes.

I sometimes visit my daughter, some 180 or more miles ( who's counting? ) and recall the Bay Area traffic I dealt with for 30 years.

I conclude that the answer is a chauffeur, but no chance of that, for many reasons.

Who else has noticed that many, not all, of our "technological miracles" simply replace what humans used to do? Automated driving is still technological garbage, and dangerous garbage.

Well, the journey is the destination in so many aspects of life. My pleasure in music and photography is in the practice and the taking, not dialing up someone else's canned result. But driving isn't one of them.

I used to love to drive as a teen and thereabouts, but my teen grew up. At least I did it often for my parents.

And moved away!

Safe driving, friends.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,727 posts)
13. I'm 76 and I still drive a stick, if that is encouraging.
Mon Oct 14, 2024, 07:35 PM
Oct 14

However, I have never been crazy about driving, although I did lots of long trips with my sons as they were growing up.

I also am an enormous fan of public transportation. I recall fondly the first seven years I lived in the DC area without a car. The only reason I finally got one was that I wanted to start taking college classes, and needed the car to get to work and college in a timely fashion.

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