All it took for me was a single drive home during Thanksgiving traffic; a trip that normally takes 10min took an hour, I swore off manual transmissions that day.

[–] MoodyRaincloud@feddit.nl 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If only there would be viable alternatives for the mass transit of people. It would free up the road for those who like to or absolutely have to drive.

So often forgotten as an argument. Driving would be great if those who don't want to are not forced to.

[–] entropicshart@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When you’re working construction, jumping site to site and at random hours of the day each day, mass transit flys out the window.

And that is before taking into consideration the unique tools you carry with you.

[–] MoodyRaincloud@feddit.nl 2 points 1 year ago

When people talk about mass transit they never have your scenario in mind. It's a bullshit argument against doing anything.

You think construction companies enjoy having their men and tools stuck in traffic surrounded by about 50% of cars that shouldn't and wouldn't be there if people had valid choices?

It's an and-and story. No-one in their right mind, except for rabid edgy internet communists wants to ban cars altogether.

[–] RegularGoose@sh.itjust.works -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Driving sucks ass no matter how empty the roads are.

[–] ArbitraryValue@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It's funny how different people's experiences can be. I grew up in a big city and didn't learn to drive until my mid 20's when I was living somewhere a lot less crowded. Then driving allowed me to experience a feeling of physical power and freedom which I had never felt before. (I think other people might get such a feeling from running or otherwise physically exerting themselves, but I never did.) Now I'm back in a big city and so I can't actually drive to most places (there would be nowhere to park) but I still own a car - not having a car would feel like having my metaphorical wings clipped.

[–] IDontHavePantsOn@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Driving was a major part of my job when I lived in Boston and I drove manual. Honestly it isn't very fun being in traffic, but I wouldn't say it's much worse than driving an automatic. It becomes old hat. It probably depends a bit more on how stiff the clutch is and other mechanical variables, but I would agree with another commenter here that it does make people better drivers. I would also say manuals aren't for everybody and that's ok, but I also think they should be the norm rather than the complacently comforting automatics that make everyone feel like they are in a golf cart rather than a large metal missile.

[–] entropicshart@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

With today’s technology, you turn on assisted cruise control and only worry about keeping the car in your lane, while it automatically accelerates/brakes through the traffic.

There is a significant difference in effort of driving manual vs automatic.

[–] Darukhnarn@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago

How?