Speeding - Help me stop

**NicholasP** · 13-05-2007,12:17 AM

Hi guys,

This may sound ridiculous but I think Im at the point where I need help before I do something stupid.

I started driving 2 years ago. I passed first time after 14 lessons, and got 4 minors on my test. Therefore, I considered myself a good safe driver.

6 months ago, I got myself a golf mk3 tdi which i soon chipped. My driving style has changed for the worse. I now no longer keep to speed limits. Ill try race any car similar to mine (just to prove mine is chipped) and ill make it my best interest to do 120 down the motorway. I overtake people dangerously and am generally becoming a menace on the roads. The sort of driver that other drivers despise.

Using tonight as an example, my friend and I left university at the same time and we stupidly raced home. We were weaving through cars, breaking every law in the book, and I nearly lost control around a corner having put put my golf at 85 around a corner signposted 40.

Im a sorry state. I feel like i constantly have something to prove and its ridiculous. Im well aware of my problem, but when i see a "racing" / "show off" opportunity, I lose control and go for it and reflect afterwards. I cant explain it, but i literally just cant stop doing it.

Im generally a mature individual. I dont drink alcohol and I dont break the law in any other ways. I just lose control when im behind a wheel...

Has anyone got any advice for me? Thanks alot for reading...

Nick

**Eshrules** · 13-05-2007,12:41 AM

Originally Posted by NicholasP

Hi guys,

This may sound ridiculous but I think Im at the point where I need help before I do something stupid.

I started driving 2 years ago. I passed first time after 14 lessons, and got 4 minors on my test. Therefore, I considered myself a good safe driver.

6 months ago, I got myself a golf mk3 tdi which i soon chipped. My driving style has changed for the worse. I now no longer keep to speed limits. Ill try race any car similar to mine (just to prove mine is chipped) and ill make it my best interest to do 120 down the motorway. I overtake people dangerously and am generally becoming a menace on the roads. The sort of driver that other drivers despise.

Using tonight as an example, my friend and I left university at the same time and we stupidly raced home. We were weaving through cars, breaking every law in the book, and I nearly lost control around a corner having put put my golf at 85 around a corner signposted 40.

Im a sorry state. I feel like i constantly have something to prove and its ridiculous. Im well aware of my problem, but when i see a "racing" / "show off" opportunity, I lose control and go for it and reflect afterwards. I cant explain it, but i literally just cant stop doing it.

Im generally a mature individual. I dont drink alcohol and I dont break the law in any other ways. I just lose control when im behind a wheel...

Has anyone got any advice for me? Thanks alot for reading...

Nick

in all honesty? stop driving and take an advanced driving course.... i'd hate to think of the consequences if you actually have an accident and some poor innocent soul gets caught up in it. think of the most important person to you, now think how you'd feel if some young driver took them out because he couldnt learn to drive within the limits of the law....

stern words mate im afraid, but i think their needed.

**NicholasP** · 13-05-2007,12:46 AM

Sound advice...

I expect stern words honestly its fine. I dont expect anyone to sit her commending me for what I do..

I just wish I could feel comfortable within the limits of law and not so dam impatient.

Im leaving my car at home tomorrow and taking the train.

**RickT** · 13-05-2007,01:20 AM

one word of advice... slow it down or you will kill your self or someone else.. hard advice but true..

racing on small urban roads will cause you some issues... and i dont want to see anything go through what a mate of mine did.. (his brother was killed, taken a bend too fast in the wet/black ice.)

i will be honest.. my problem is that i over the last 12 months have increased my speed on the motorways.. I dont drive daft in 30 or 40 zones, 50 zones i will do about 60-70.. but i know them roads very well.. i always hang back to over take and dont if i dont have to..

Any advice on slowing the speed apart from just saying.. slow down would be welcomed..

RickT

**RickT** · 13-05-2007,01:22 AM

and dont say save in fuel costs... as im not bothered about that.. lol.. trying to increase my carbon footprint of 25k miles per year!

RickT

**RickT** · 13-05-2007,01:28 AM

I have just worked another route i did the other week and surprised myself.. / shocked..

Nothing to be proud of...

RicKT

**NicholasP** · 13-05-2007,01:29 AM

I know exactly what you mean...in my first car, a little fiesta, id sit at 70mph in the central or left lane very content...

Now thats just out of the question...I get onto the m4 which i take everyday, sit at 70 and try to stick to it..after about a minute..some car zips past me...i lose all common sense, put my foot down and am up to 100+ in a few secs...

I then fly past everyone else feeling very proud and occasionally dodge past cars who get in my way..I dont stop speeding until i get where i want to be.

Honestly, right now, i think i need a smack around the face from a copper

**RickT** · 13-05-2007,01:35 AM

i know what you mean.. when i came back from Kent the other week.. not one car pasted me.. also the same from EDI.. just into the outside lane and plough the miles up...

if you had to ask me anything about the drive i have no idea.. just auto pilot listening to music..

One other bad thing i do is jump in the car.. drive 250 miles and get out.. none of this take a break stuff..
My worse one was i drove from central France.. drove 400 miles to Calais.. jumped on the tunnel.. 30 minute break on the tunnel and back home 280 miles... all in all stopped once for fuel at Calais.. i have done that route a few times and just get it into my head to drive drive drive home!! no need for breaks.. more time on the road quicker im there..

but one thing to add... i never feel tired otherwise i would stop..

RickT

**guyg** · 13-05-2007,02:20 AM

Nick

I believe speed can become an addiction just like coffee, alchohol, gambling, smoking, drugs etc.

All these things can be enjoyed within resonable limits and it's human to go too far occasionally, but if you are compelled to all the time, it's an addiction and you need to deal with it as such.

The first step to beating it is acknowledging that you have a problem, which you have done tonight on this forum - it's a good sign that you are sufficiently troubled to write a post about it...

The obvious comment is simply to say stop doing it, but it's not always that easy. You could try going turkey - [sell the car], but I think this would only postpone the problem until you bought another car. In my opinion, you need to face up to the problem and deal with it now.

If your friends are encouraging you, then you need to find strategies for travelling without them, or at different times if you all drive.

It also sounds like you need an alternative way of getting an adrenaline fix; do you do much sport?

I think Carl's advice about advanced driving is very sound, you would have the opportunity to spend time with experienced professional drivers and the whole thing is based around perception, awareness and thinking ahead.

He's also bang on regarding the potential for a serious accident. You don't need me to tell you that the probability of having an accident increases exponentially with speed, as does the likelyhood of fatality. With the speed and behaviour you describe, it's only a matter of time before this happens.

If you were responsible for seriously injuring or killing someone, your life would be over, not only would you probably end up in prison but there would be no escape from the guilt you would suffer.

You mentioned you are at University, they probably will have a free councelling service. These are professionally run by qualified staff and your discussions would be confidential. I strongly suggest you make an appointment to arrange some sessions with someone professional so they can help you through this.

Whatever you do, do it now before someone gets hurt!

Cheers

Guy

**RickT** · 13-05-2007,02:26 AM

I argeee with Guy above.. i know above i said yes i dont put the hammer down on the motorway... but only when saft to.. ie.. not at peak time!!..

RickT