I am 16, and I have been driving for about a year and a half. I currently drive a 1987 Honda Civic--manual transmission. My mother trusts me completely when I am driving. She usually makes me drive when we are running errands, as a matter of fact. My friends trust me to chauffeur them around, too. However, I simply cannot convince my grandmother to let me drive her car--not even to the store, which is 5 minutes away--right down the street! She owns a 1998 Ford Mustang, and treats it as though it's solid gold, even though she's dinged it up quite a few times.
I have driven it before, and she has freaked out when I went the speed limit (she usually goes about 35 in a 45 mph zone), and is utterly convinced that I'm going to kill someone--not to mention her beloved car.
She is 74 and is quickly losing her driving ability--she usually drifts into other lanes, and has a tendency to drive either in the bike lane or the grass.
Is there any way to convince her that I am a safe driver?
2006-07-22 13:22:53 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I have never been pulled over, nor do I drift into other lanes. I go with the flow of traffic, and never have a string of cars passing me wherever I go, as she does.
Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated! I just want her to trust me--she has never given me a chance to prove myself a capable driver--she always demands that I let her drive 5 minutes after she agrees to let me drive!
Thank you for your input.
2006-07-22 13:26:27 · update #1
Oh. Right. I can't drive my own car because I'm at her house, and she picked me up (she lives 2 hours away from my town).
2006-07-22 13:42:26 · update #2
Your Grandmother has two thoughts:
First is that if you damage her car, she will be afoot.
Second is that she already knows she has problems driving. She does not want to lose her independence.
so it really has nothing to do with her trusting you. She is trying to maintain her ability to drive, and to have a vehicle of her own, to go when and where she pleases.
Since you are aware the her driving is unsafe, be sure to volunteer to drive her anywhere and anytime you can. You wouldn't want her hurt in a traffic accident.
Once you get past seeing this from only your point of view, and begin to think in terms of her needs, she will see your more mature attitude, and things will go better.
2006-07-22 13:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by elaine_classen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Old timers are completely irrational. There is nothing you can do to "earn" her trust. She probably knows you are a better driver than she is and doesn't want to be reminded that she's getting too old to drive. I wouldn't push the issue, just be glad you have a car you are allowed to drive. Also, you can turn the tables on her and tell her you don't want to ride with her because you don't think she is a safe driver. That'll learn her. Wait 'till she rear ends somebodies SUV and then say: "told you so".
2006-07-22 20:32:29 · answer #2 · answered by Cybeq 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your grandmother has serious trust problems along with many other issues I bet. You cannot change your grandmother. Only she can do that. How would you feel if someone who you did not trust kept trying you get you to trust her or him. Just let go and let God. Please be happy you have your own car. Many people 16 years of age do not have their own car.
RICHARD
2006-07-22 20:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by Richard15 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you just drive your own car?
2006-07-22 20:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by michi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋