So now that I finally have my very first driver’s license, at the age of 56, I’ve started to drive around a bit. And I have to say, it’s exhilarating — and terrifying! I don’t think I am yet an excellent driver: I’m basing this theory on the number of times other drivers honk at me, and also the stern and/or bewildered looks I get from pedestrians. The drivers tend to honk when I’m changing lanes, and those on foot do their glaring/beseeching when I’m turning into what they rightly consider their walking space.
Today, after a young woman gave me a WTF look as I turned into where she was about to cross the street, I told myself, repeatedly: Don’t turn until you are sure that no one is there! The thing is, there are so many things going on at once — cars turning (or not turning), cars behind me waiting to turn (I don’t want to make them impatient!), my bicycling comrades, and then those pesky pedestrians. It’s a lot for a middle-aged brain to process — especially one that has become used to processing things at either walking or cycling speed.
I was driving only a short distance — to have a new radio installed in the 2001 Honda Civic I am buying from some dear friends. The old radio didn’t have a reliable way to play music from my phone or iPod, and having decent sound was always part of my (rare) dreams of someday being a driver. At the auto-sound store, they showed me how I could install a system that would give me better speakers, along with subwoofers, etc. Which seemed like a fantastic idea — until they told me how much even an “introductory” system would cost (more than I’m paying for the car). So I just got the new radio thingie in the front — which can bluetooth-connect with my phone, USB-connect with my iPod, and even tell me the correct time!
On the drive back home, I played some Pixies tracks — with the GPS lady occasionally breaking in to tell me where to turn. I sang (well, “sang”) along with Black Francis and felt like some combination of badass and scaredy-cat. Nobody honked or glared at me the whole way, which was awesome.
Next week I’m planning to have the car “detailed” (which I’d mistakenly thought was getting stuff like racing stripes, but turns out to be more of a cleaning-and-waxing thing). And I’m going to try to keep driving a bit every day or two, in the hope that more and more of what I do behind the wheel will come to feel instinctual, rather than a rapid flurry of jittery, conscious choices.
And I’m going to keep a kind of diary, in this space, of my progress as (if you will) a middle-aged teenage driver — plus, ask you readers who are veteran drivers any questions that occur to me.
So here’s a question:
- I’ve noticed that, even during the day, lots of other cars have their headlights on. I’d assumed that you only put on your headlights at night. What gives? Should I turn on my headlights during the day? And if so, when? (I have a vague memory of hearing about something called “running lights,” but I’m not sure what they are or whether my car has them.)
So that’s my first question. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to crank it up to 11.
Josh —
If people don’t honk at me at least a couple times a day as I drive in Boston, I assume I’m being too much of the reckless, abrupt, speeding, threat to life they are.
As to the lights question, I have a setting on my Nissan called “Auto” that turns on the headlights when a sensor detects a certain level of dimness. Works very well. I don’t have to think about turning the damned things on and off at all. That said, I notice rental companies basically have their vehicles set to “on all the time.”
It’s not a biggie unless you have those inflourescentatomicwattage headlights that scream “go blind, ya bastid.” Usually on very tall cars that shine it right into your eyes or rearview mirror.
on the road for almost 50 years,
Milo
Josh, a lot of cars now have headlights that are on all the time; they are indeed called running lights. My old Prius (R.I.Prius!) had them, though my newer Corolla does not. You can read more about them at Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp
You don’t have to keep your headlights on if it’s a nice sunny day. You should turn them on if it’s raining (presuming it’ll ever rain again here), or when it starts getting dark outside. Also, there are frequently signs at tunnels, such as the Caldecott, suggesting that you turn your lights on before you enter. Hope that helps, and good luck with your driving!
Our song, Baby!
more important is your use of lights at night. learn to use your brights right. on small dark roads at night, especially rural roads, high beams can pick out deer eyed reflections in time to avoid collision……and low beam it for on coming traffic.
Some cars in this country are equipped with daytime running lights, others aren’t. They are not required in the U.S., but many cars have them. Some people think they’re great, others complain about the glare. I would say “don’t worry, be happy.”
Hey Josh!! You are ROCKIN it! Just hope I never wind up in back of you. I have underestimated the rate at which I need to brake in my last two cars. The way I drive harkens back to having driven in Boston so many years in my twenties. You can take the driver out of Boston, but you can’t take Boston out of the driver!! Look in your rear view NOW, that’s me creeping up behind you to give you the thumbs up on your latest conquest! No telling how many Boston drivers are interspersed among the tens of thousands on Bay Area roads!
Happy trails!
Bonnie
Um. yes. I am aware that you are now driving for the first time, as I saw you peel out wildly, in a screeching shower of sparks, and cloud of burning rubber, to the strains of some horrific Barry Manilow tune, across the street from me, nearly taking out a entire row of hypercaffinated UC lab rats (students), as they pounded away at their mobile devices, unaware of their close brush with the new neighborhood road hog, and his monolithic testosterone machine of total destruction. Fear the Honda Civic, you collegiate vermin!
Since I fully expect skyrocketing car insurance rates in this part of the city to come of all this, I suggest, that in the fashion of all Rolling DeathWagon™ drivers in this town, that you acquire a “coexist” bumper sticker posthaste, to thwart identification by Latecoming Berkeley intelligentsia, since everyone here has one.
Another important maneuver in this town is the wide arch, backwards, spinning, multi-infraction, “reverse Kali karma wheel” a popular parking move here, and of course no Berkeley driver is complete without the “Prozac” maneuver, and all time favorite where you simply………huh? what was I saying?
Precisely.
I just got my car, a car somewhat like your own, working again, and if you want to form a hellish gang on wheels, I suggest we name our gang “The north Berkeley bombers” or perhaps simply “Berkeley recycle” and design patches that show squealing hippies and students under the tires of our coaches of justice, with a motto in Latin that reads, “Death to Academic scum”
Welcome to the ranks of heroic Berkeley drivers.
Your neighbor,
Piero Amadeo Infante.
Josh-
You may be 56, but you’re essentially the same as a 16-year old in terms of driving skill. The ability to watch all things on and near the road takes years of practice…which is probably why insurance rates for 16 year olds are so high. But, seriously, many experienced drivers largely avoid downtown Berkeley (and you should too).
As to the lights, many cars have always-on headlights.
Self-driving cars can’t come soon enough…..they will usher in a safer less-stressful world.
About the headlights … CA law says at least turn them on when it is rainy (yeah, right, as if that is ever going to happen). Or at night.
More importantly, even though you have your license, you might want to take a few extra driving lessons … not to say you’re a bad driver but a lot of people out there are. Just stay safe.
Hey bro’,
If you turn your lights on, just remember to also turn them off. Especially if you turn them On in the day, it’s easy to forget. This is a lesson I learned the hard way. Keep on keepin on!
Josh,
I’ve noticed from my decades of driving in many cities, that Berkeley stands out as the most pedestrian-friendly. Drivers actually stop when they see someone ahead just thinking about crossing the street. I find it refreshing and remind myself I can slow down here and not worry about whether the person behind me is gritting their teeth. So yes, while in Berkeley, scan the curbs and wave them across. Elsewhere, pedestrians must wait.
On the other hand, drivers in general are much more rude, impatient, and aggressive nowadays. I would suggest avoiding big game days, holiday seasons, and construction areas if you want to maintain a level of calmness/sanity.
And don’t become too attached to your Civic, which is among the top three cars that are stolen. Sorry…
Thanks for the wonderful (and entertaining) advice, everybody!!
my suggestion is to not ignore your emergency flashers. try to use them 4 times a year. whenever you feel “on edge” for any reason.