It has been a little over three years that I have been fully driving on these roads and approximately four years since I actually got my driver’s licence. It has been quite a journey for me, both literally and figuratively. Let me tell you why…

The Fear That Drove Me

Rewind (or reverse) to 2011. The thought of behind the steering wheel TERRIFIED me. I could barely ride a bicycle properly – heck I trip on absolutely NOTHING sometimes – what on earth could make me want to manoeuvre a piece of metal that weighs about two tonnes (Hmm, is that the normal weight of a car? Even after three years of driving, I still practically know nothing about cars) on the roadways with other pieces of metal that weigh two tonnes and more, moving at speeds of 80km/hour?

Well this fear caused several delays in my learning process and several fights with my husband (when I say fights, I mean just me getting annoyed with him giving me instructions and trying to get me to rely on my “common driver’s sense”. Umm, I had none). My driving regulations expired twice. My first official driving instructor didn’t help me much either. I believe I was taking lessons with him in 2011 on a manual driving vehicle (Lord, what was I thinking?), when his great lesson point was for me to “feel the vibrations”. This was his way of trying to get me to become one with the car and kumbaya, but I just could not connect with the car in that way. Needless to say, I stopped going for lessons.

I tried again in 2014 and decided to just learn to drive automatic vehicles. I don’t remember what exactly prompted me to do it but I just knew that I had to overcome this fear. Also, allowing my regulations to expire a third time was a definite no-no. I almost felt like the Licensing Office would be like, “Three strikes and you’re out!”

Getting my licence

So I found myself another driving instructor. He was very tough on me yet strangely patient. I appreciated his systematic way of teaching me driving, not trying to get me to tap into my driving sixth sense but just showing me basic tips on things like how to know when the car was straight, what to look for when doing my three point and L-turns. I felt more comfortable learning in this step by step way.

However, I was still scared. My instructor said I would get too “bummy”. I know I might seem like a slang expert 😀 but he had to explain to me what this meant and apparently it meant I would get too nervous (though I swear people use this word for various meanings). He was very concerned that my nervousness alone would cause me to fail (you and me both, breda – see? Slang expert!)

The day came and I waited anxiously among the other people waiting to do their tests (testees?), until they called my name. First up was the driving manoeuvres test (three point and L-turns) in the parking lot. I think I made one mistake there but the examiner was lenient, although I think my slight cleavage helped a bit (this was not intentional). Next was the road test, which was really the part I was most nervous about. You always hear about the tough examiners who fail you for the smallest mistake.

So there I was, in the driver’s seat for the moment of truth, my shining moment where I would conquer the road and my fear of driving! And I’m off! Wait…no, the car is not moving, what happened? The examiner looks down and gives a head nod. Oh no, I forgot to put down the parking brake. Sigh. Great. Usually, the tough examiners either fail you right then and there, but alas, he recognises my nervousness and he continues the test. I’m driving and yeah, I made one turn a bit too wide but I make it through the test! Better yet, he doesn’t fail me! I got my licence!

A Few Bumps on the Road

I had a shaky start though. My two most memorable experiences were:

(1) I was driving with my husband and I had to squeeze between two parked cars. By the time my husband yelled “Stop!”, I had grazed a man’s really old car. I mean really old, so old that we could not even figure out what damage I had specifically done so he let me off the hook.

(2) I went to get something in a convenience store for my husband while he was baking and I got a panic attack trying to park the car in the crowded parking lot. Guys, I reversed straight into the wall. A guy actually helped me park. To this day, I see the spot where I hit it, which makes me wonder which is worse – me doing it or the store not painting the wall in like four years. x_x

My Driving Today

After those incidents, it took me almost a year later to really get behind the wheel again. But I have to say, the old saying “practice makes perfect” is so true. While I may not be perfect, I am light years away from the driver I was in 2014. Not to toot my own horn (pun intended), I even impress myself sometimes. I realised that I am also a patient driver and I don’t have road rage, which is something you could easily develop driving on these roads. Oh but there is one thing I do – when I notice a car bobbing and weaving through other cars in a reckless manner to get ahead, I like to speed up a little bit so that they can’t get in front of me. Some might say that is petty but I call it vigilante justice. With the exception of that though, my motto on the road is “be cautious and courteous”. But boy do I wish other people had this motto.

Things I wish for

There are just a few things I wish could be invented or implemented to make my driving experience a little better though:

• A law that you should only give one vehicle a “bligh”. For you non-Trinbagonians, a “bligh” in this context is basically allowing someone to go in front of you, most times when you reach a junction. Look, I know my motto is “be courteous” but it goes both ways (Yoke alert – like the junction. Tee hee). I don’t mind letting Tom through but why does Dick and Harry like to take the opportunity too?
• Adjustable car visors – I would like to think that I am of average height, and those standard visors do nothing to protect my eyes from the sun. It does help with my posture though because I have to sit extra straight up to get the visors to be of some use (usually to no avail).
• A cure for indicatorphobia – Yeah I am convinced now that this is a thing. People are scared or paranoid about using their indicators. There is no other reasonable explanation. Unless they like to add an air of mystery to their driving. If we can’t find a cure, I could settle for maybe a mind reading device so that when you sit on your seat, the car would read your mind, and put on the indicator for you. That way you also avoid the strenuous task of lifting your hand and putting it on yourself.
• A car horn with different horn comments – preferably with a variety of buttons. There have been several times I have wanted to thank someone for giving me a bligh and when I try to give a friendly “toot toot”, my horn decides to give the most aggressive honk ever. So maybe different buttons that say things like, “Thank you, kind person, I really appreciate it”, “I’m so sorry, that was my mistake” and “You may cross pedestrian, and of course, I have all day to watch you sashay across the street”. Of course, this is Trinidad and Tobago, so maybe additional honks that say “aye, yuh door open”, “yuh buy your licence or wha?” and “wha all that mad driving was for? I still meet you by the lights.”

Final advice

Driving should not be taken lightly. Be observant, follow the road rules and be courteous to one another. Make sure your car is functioning properly too, even if you rely on someone you trust to check it for you. If you are scared to get behind the wheel, keep at it, you will get there. If I can get over my fear of driving, trust me, ANYONE can. You just gotta feel the vibrations, man. 😉

So is there any memorable driving experience you would like to share? Perhaps there is something on your wish list too. Feel free to comment!