I discovered some curious things within my own capacities and strengths. One of the more intersect things to note; despite having ADHD, I'm not only a good driver, but also a safe one. That actually carries over into a lot of things I've done in the past. The most interesting part for me is that I may do crazy stuff but I rarely, if ever, get injured. That's seems counterintuitive but it's simply true. By all means, I should have a laundry list of injuries, broken bones, etc...but I don't?
This is what I'm now realizing is a skill of itz own, but for what ever the reason, it's not just how well or skilled you are, but staying within your own limitations is also a skill. Even when it's extreme circumstances, that's what's kept me from injury more than any skills I have doing what ever it is I do. I can simply say, I stay within my capacity.
And I have really big fear right now is getting into and accident, wrecking my vehicle and or getting injured. It would really mess up my plans in untold ways. That is a real world possibility but also have to drive and go places. I have to . So, I have to not get into a wreck ...and possibly get injured but I also have to drive my vehicle around under that kind of pressure. And my default setting is to just relax and enjoy it. Getting uptight about what might happen doesn't make me a better driver. My "better, safer, more aware" self is not all anxious and uptight. I can drive well like that, and I have to drive well. It's what I've always done, and it's actually a relaxing experience. I also drive more slowly so I have more time to react.
But one aspect of this entire experiment that I just realized yesterday. I feel like a child again. There ferel child that is. But I have all the skills of an adult. It's kind of that wish you could go back, and still know everything you know. I just had this awakening to the fact that I felt just like a child again ....just in the building of my trailer. Getting ready for the adventure, and standing there in bare feet with my shirt off and feeling the grass when I walked. It occurred to me....this was how I dressed as kid in the summer. No shirt, no shoes, and cut off shorts. No cutoffs...but feeling felt the same. I'm just doing the same thing, with a much greater capacity. And when I stay within my capacity....things start to become fun. My best driving self that keeps me safe, is also the most relaxed and able to perform at my best.
And my best has proven to not get me into accidents or get injured while driving a car. I have a great track record over a long period of time so...if it's not broken, don't fix it. Right?
J
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A good driver
My ex is a very good and also safe driver. In some way ADHD distraction doesn’t seem to affect driving? I’ve wondered about this too.
One thing I did
This might seem a little unorthodox but my vehicle dash board is hummed and unusually shaped. Thise cell phone holders and attachments really were going to work. I tried and the attachments kept slipping or falling off. So I took my old motorcycle cell phone holder that had screw holes for the handlebars. I screwed the thing directly into the dash with wood screws ( 2 ) right in front of my line of sight. In essence, I created a fighter jet heads up display right just off to one side of my center line of sight. Now when I use mapping software....my head doesn't move and I can still read the map as I drive.
I figured two screws holes in the dash was worth a fully functional heads up display.
I can't really explain it.
I've always called it "laser focus" which seems different than hyper focusin . I've heard the terms being fixated and/or locking, but those actually are detrimental to being a good defensive driver. Situational Awareness ( SA ) and diving skills ( experience ) and just enjoying driving in general.
What's actually taught me to be a good driver in a car is from riding a motorcycle truth be told. And learning a number of driving skill sets including how to avoid perceptual anomalies. ( perception ).
Like that fixating thing ( locking ). That'll get you in trouble faster than anything.
The rule is...if you want to hit something...look at it. You'll go where you look...so don't look where you don't want to go.
On a motorcycle...when something is in the road up ahead...DONT LOOK at the "thing". You'll run right into it. It's just a thing that happens to everyone but the tendency is to look at it..and try to steer around it. That won't work...it's like aiming at it !! You'll run right into every time! That's a perception thing. The rule of thumb saud differently....aim high, look out front...at where you want to go at all times. Especially in a curve! And don't look down 10 feet in front of you.
Another one...Don't brake or coast in or thru a curve. That'll cause you to lose control very quickly. The opposite is true. Power on ( and accelerate) at the apex of a curve...brake before you get there. That's the golden rule of negotiating curves.
I don't rely on mirrors either. I turn my head and look before changing lanes. I also don't rely on traffic lights. I look both ways even when it's green. Those were drivers ed tips that still apply.
The other one is picking your line. You have to be able to pick your line whether it's on a motorcycle or skiing ...especially if your going fast. You have to read decreasing or increasing radius curves...and see your line 2 or 3 curves ahead. That's why they say to "aim high" in steering and not looking down in front of you . You can't pick your line that way...also....if you looking out ahead ..you got that "heads up" head position to scan everything put in front of you ..not just road.
And last one is one I think, is what anyone who hasn't riden a motorcycle doesn't fully experience. Exposure. Your completely unprotected. Yet, in reality, all you've got it a thin piece of sheet metal and a bit of plastic between you and another vehicle. It's this illusion of safety that gets people I'm trouble. That thin piece of sheet metal isn't much protection. You get comfortable thinking your safe when inside this cushy living room on wheels. That's an illusion when your living room is going 70mph !! Lol
Another one...don't "death grip the steering wheel". I completely relax my arms and hands...like rubber noodles. I just rest my hands on the wheel...just the heel of my palm touching half the time. My fingers aren't even wrapped around the wheel. I'm not "gripping" at all.
These are all things I was taught by poeple who knew what they were doing. So experience alone only gets you so far. I practice my curve skills, picking line skills, looking away at things in the road and concentrating on look way out in front me every time I drive. It's second nature ...but I'm always consciously practicing these skills.
And actually, going excessively fast ( altho not legal ) trained my eyes and reflexes to move at those speeds and adjust accordingly. Now that I'm going the speed limit towing my trailer....it feels incredibly slow to me. It's require so much less concentration ..which seems really easy to do it. In essence...it's below my skill level...so I can stay relaxed and just practice going much more slowly but more precisely.
And then add the SA on top of it. I always know who's behind me and in front of me at all times. I have moments when I don't...but not many. If in turn your head and look.
That's quite the list...if I stop and think about. And they say people with ADHD can't multitask! Ha!
But those motorcycle skills are probably my best ally. Those were all taught to me. I didn't just figure them out on my own.