I have owned a car for the nearly sixty years.
For a long time I actually described myself as being like a Tortoise - only really feeling complete within the safety of my car.
With lots of children, I would spent many hours (and covered many many miles) driving them around to appointments, clubs, social occasions, sports training, etc. etc.
Could never imagine myself without a car.
HOWEVER......when I moved down to Weston-super-Mare (two years ago today), I realised that I would need the car far less than I did when living in a London suburb
As I have limited mobility for all sorts of reasons), and use a lovely mobility scooter for getting about. WsM is a small enough place for me to be able to use this to get to virtually all my U3A, etc group meetings as well as the local High Street, Park, Beach, GP surgery, library, etc. etc. Buses stop right outside the flats going to my favourite supermarket (Sainsburys' and the local hospital).
I thought I would keep the car for use for long distance journeys (ie visiting back to London), but have found that I now find that journey too daunting for me by myself. (Would have done it without thought there and back on same day in years past). Now prefer to do long distance journeys by train (station less than a mile away).
So, the car sat in my garage, being taken out once a week for a five mile round tripto Sainsburys!!!
Had a bad puncture on one of those journeys and since them have found I am much more tense when driving as I am listening for unusual noises, etc. etc.
I had always hoped I would be sensible enough to know when the time to stop driving had arrived and not have to wait until I had either a bad accident or a series of small ones.
I also worked out that keeping it in the garage was still costing me not far under a grand a year (insurance, RAC cover, Servicing and occasional small repairs/tyres, etc) THis would be increasing as Insurance companies put up their prices when a driver turns 80 years whatever their previous driving and non-claiming background is.
So, I tided it up, said a fond farewell and have now sold it. I am carless - could claim this is due to being an Eco-Warrior, but not really true.
I know I am fortunate, that I have a daughter and Son-in-Law very close by who will take me out for days, etc. and I have joined my local Community Bus (Dial-a-Ride), started getting Sainsbury's home deliveries some weeks, getting to know my local bus routes.
I actually feel total relief, more room in my garage, and not having to worry about anything to do with the car any more. I feel that I ought to feel more upset about being carless than I do at present. I am sure there will be times when I regret not having my own vehicle - but at present I feel great about it.
