Listen to the episode
Driving Profile: Vanessa Hennessey
(sneak peek)
VANESSA: [00:00:00] I was a new driver, but not
super, super new, but I knew how to handle ice for the most part. and I just
wasn’t Paying too, too much attention. And I went around a curve and it was
slippery and the curve was going to the right.
And I kept going to the left toward,
towards the edge of the mountain road that had no guard rail or anything.
(intro music)
BHAVNEET: Happy Bike to
Work Day and welcome back to Drive With Us Podcast. A podcast where we explore
driving cultures around the world by bringing on a new guest each episode to
talk about the crazy things they’ve experienced on the road, who they are as
drivers and how they became the driver they are today. I’m Bhavneet.
TARANJIT: And I’m Taranjit.
And be sure to share your bike pics using the hashtag #BikeWithUsTo. I’m
curious to see well, I’m interested to see your biking pics. But before we get
into who todays driver is [00:01:00] a quick little plug because you know we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help right?
And feel free to forward past this small update if you are just like, give me the stories. I just want to hear the guest’s crazy driving stories. Go ahead and skip past this quick update.
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Let’s get into today’s driver. [00:02:00] Today’s driver is Vanessa
Hennessey, a Communications professional, horse lover and co-host of the Not
Another X-Files Podcast podcast, and That’s the Ticket. She is
German and has had her fair share of driving adventures abroad. Vanessa shares
with us about the time that she took a turn so fast that she almost landed in a
creek, being told to get out of her car and sit in the police officers car for speeding
and having the opportunity to speed on the Autobahn. Let’s meet today’s driver
Vanessa Hennessey.
(transition music)
BHAVNEET: [00:01:51] Welcome Vanessa. Thanks so much for
joining us today.
VANESSA: Thank you so much for having me. I’m really
excited to talk about driving.
BHAVNEET: We’re super excited to hear your stories. And since you
mentioned, you have so many crazy ones, let’s start with which one you would
say is one of the most crazy or interesting driving stories.
VANESSA:
Yeah, we were talking
before we recorded and it’s kind of hard to pick something because, I guess
I’ll start by saying that when I learned to drive, I was living in the
mountains of Colorado, about half an hour. West meaning up a mountain from
Boulder, Colorado. And we got tons of snow in the winter and in the fall
actually, and sometimes in the spring.
And I
learned to drive in the snow, in the mountains on dirt roads, et cetera. I have
a bunch of stories. there was one time in particular where the road is
very windy going up and down the mountain. And I think I had had my license for
probably two or three years by then.
[00:02:51]
you know, I was a new driver, but not super, super new, but I knew how
to handle ice for the most part. and I just wasn’t Paying too, too much
attention. And I went around a curve and it was slippery and the curve was
going to the right.
And I kept going to the left
toward, towards the edge of the mountain road that had no guard rail or
anything. I somehow what happened was they had taught me in driver’s ed and
well, my dad had taught me just kicked in and I was like, okay, I need to take
my foot off the gas and look the direction I want to go turn my wheel and the
direction I’m going, And somehow I slowly glided up to the edge and just
stopped. And I was like, because on the other side of the road was a steep.
Drop down into a Creek. and I came so close to the edge and I was just like, Oh
my God, it was, it was crazy. And this time my car got stopped by a [00:03:51]
little tiny tree that was Like a little baby tree and it got stuck under my
car. the car was fine. I was fine, but I could not get out of the spot because
the tree was holding me there.
BHAVNEET: Oh my gosh.
TARANJIT: You had so many close calls. Oh my gosh. That’s
so scary.
VANESSA: Now I drive much more conservatively when I’m
driving down the mountain because I had a few experiences where I was like I
need to be better about this. Cause there was a little Creek right there if my
car had kept going I might have gotten into the Creek luckily the tree stopped
me but there was a house that was across the little Creek and in the side of
the mountains so to speak So I went and I knocked on their door and it was
seven in the morning And I was like I’m so sorry but there’s no cell reception there
And this poor woman was in her bathrobe
And she was like Oh no problem
at all dear come on in have a cup of tea. And then I think there were some guys
coming down the mountain with a pickup truck and they I was in the house and
they just happened to see my [00:04:51] car stuck there they hooked it up to
their pickup truck with some sort of rope or something and pulled my car out
without me even being there which was so nice.
BHAVNEET: Yeah. Like What?
TARANJIT: I was going to ask how did the car how’d you
get the car out. But okay someone helped you.
VANESSA: Yeah basically I left the house or I think I
saw out the window that they had gotten there and they had seen my car And so I
went out and I was like Oh I’m so sorry they were like Oh no no it’s cool
We’re just gonna like pull it out for you And I was like Oh that’s so
nice The car was fine It had a little bit of a very minor thing on the
bottom of the car that had to be fixed but otherwise it was fine.
BHAVNEET: I can’t imagine uh living on a mountain. Since you did
mention that you live in Canada, now has learning to drive in Colorado
helped you in being able to drive in Canada?
VANESSA: Absolutely So I Lived in new Brunswick Canada
for quite a while when I was doing university for four years and it’s
very snowy there my last two years I actually drove my car from Colorado to new
Brunswick and New [00:05:51] Brunswick is on the East coast So it’s right above
Maine If that gives you an idea. I drove my car all the way and I just really
wanted to have my car there cause I wasn’t a little tiny town and it was just
nice to have my car. So there it was very snowy. Not as hilly as Colorado but
having the background of driving in the mountains driving in the snow driving
in the ice really helped.
And then I moved to Vancouver
for a while and Vancouver is on the west coast so totally opposite. And it’s
very mild. Almost never get any snow lots of rain now I live in Edmonton
Alberta Canada which is of in the middle and we get lots of snow here So it’s
really good to know how to drive in the snow when you live here. So yeah I
definitely think it helps.
BHAVNEET: Oh wow. You’ve lived all over Canada.
VANESSA: It’s kind of ridiculous I’m hoping to stay
where I am for awhile
BHAVNEET: So I guess it’s safe to say that you enjoy living in areas
where it snows a lot.
VANESSA: Vancouver was really nice because it was mild
but it was rainy a lot and dark a lot and [00:06:51] gloomy and beautiful super
green. There were like amazing mountains but Edmonton is nice because we get
sun more even though we have snow we get a lot more sun
TARANJIT: There sounds like in the U.S. when you think of
the rainy it’s like Washington so Vancouver sounds like that.
VANESSA: Oh yeah. Super similar.
BHAVNEET: Since you have lived in a lot of different places, have you
experienced certain types of stereotypes or certain types of drivers in
different areas?
VANESSA: I sure have I should also mention that
this is something we can maybe talk later about but I’m also half German and I
have a passport in Germany and I’ve actually driven in Germany as well. Which
is a totally other experience. But for that question in particular I would
say I’m just thinking cause I’ve driven I’ve done many road trips I’ve
driven in many places Vancouver is interesting because there are a lot of
people from Asia there. Specifically China or people who are whose parents are
from China but they’ve grown up in Canada sort of thing And It’s really
unfortunate because you [00:07:51] get this stereotype of quote unquote Asian
drivers which I hate because this is stupid. We shouldn’t be reducing people to
stereotypes However Vancouver has a lot not just quote unquote Asian drivers
but also people from all over the place from lots of different countries
And you’ll get this mix of different driving styles and different driving
cultures. And that can really lead to weirdness sometimes you get people who
never use their turn signal or don’t know how to use a stop sign or and
I’m I’m talking about any driver in Vancouver. I just feel like Vancouver
drivers are not great. You have all these different cultures coming
together So it’s it is interesting there. I’ve also so I learned
to drive in Colorado and Colorado drivers are not the worst drivers but they’re
not the best drivers either What they really like to do is on the highway And
they like to sit in the left lane so that you can’t pass And it’s super
frustrating And I’m like this is not how the highway works. You stay on the
right [00:08:51] unless you’re passing but nobody in Colorado does that. You
get these part of the interstate is eight lanes going one direction and eight
lanes going the other direction and people are just hogging all the lanes and
it’s ridiculous.
But in Edmonton where I live
now if you try to merge if you’re like Oh crap I have to get over to this lane
so I can turn left here They won’t let you in. Yeah
BHAVNEET: I didn’t know that’s how Colorado drivers were. I know
there’s certain States that have laws where you have you’re not allowed to
drive in the left lane unless if you’re going to pass.
Is Colorado one of the not one
of those States?
VANESSA: That’s a really good question I know I’ve seen
signs that say keep right unless passing. But I don’t know if it’s the law
or if it’s just they’re trying to remind you be courteous.
TARANJIT: Yeah. Sounds like it might be a rule there.
Because I know, we’re in Maryland and we don’t I don’t think I’ve seen signs
like that here. But I’ve seen it in like New Jersey or like Pennsylvania. And
it sounds like Colorado also has it’s where it’s like stay in the right lane
unless you’re gonna pass and then go in the left lane. So it [00:09:51] sounds
like that it might be the law. But then like people purposely just block the
left lane. That would be so annoying.
VANESSA: I don’t know if they do it on purpose My dad
always says people here think they rule the road It’s my road You can’t come
over here and blah blah blah he gets really angry about it. It is super
annoying but it’s not worth getting angry about it I I actually used to
have road rage but now I feel like it’s just not productive So I really try to
stay calm when I’m driving.
TARANJIT: Since you did say you drove in Germany, how
would you compare driving in Germany versus driving in the U. S. or Canada?
VANESSA: Well speaking of hogging the left lane if
you do that in Germany People will try to run you off the road. Not literally
but they will tailgate you, they will yell at you, they will give you evil evil
stink eye. In Germany I’m pretty sure the law is that you do not hog the left
lane. The reason is because when you’re on the Autobahn it’s [00:10:51]
extremely fast. And if you’re in the left lane and somebody’s going 150
kilometers an hour I don’t know what that is in miles per hour. Sorry I’m
American but I can’t think in miles anymore I’ve been in Canada too long.
But if somebody is going 150 kilometers an hour and they come up behind
you and you’re just sitting in the left lane that’s super dangerous. Big no-no in
Germany Driving on the Autobahn is a lot of fun but I in 2013 I rented a car
and it was the first time I had driven on the Autobahn on my own I had driven
before with other people in the car like my parents or I went on a business
trip with a boss of mine and we decided to drive together and he let me
drive so this is the first time I’d ever driven alone on the Autobahn And
I rented this very sensible economical boring car. But it still was able to go
really fast and I decided to test the limits of it because on parts of the
Autobahn there’s no speed limit so I was like okay let’s see how
comfortable I feel So I’m like okay 120 kilometers an hour I’ve done that tons
I feel comfortable with that [00:11:51] Pushed it to 130 and I’m like okay this
is okay.
Tried to push it up to 150 And
I was like okay this is too much it was just really interesting because
you have to think so fast when you’re going those speeds your reaction time has
to be faster or your planning time has to be faster Like you have to be looking
ahead of yourself on the Autobahn way more than you would just driving 50
kilometers an hour or 55 65 kilometers or sorry miles per hour. Now I’m
switching things. Jeez.
TARANJIT: Way to confuse everyone.
VANESSA: Yeah Exactly. Actually now I’m curious like 130
kilometers per hour.
BHAVNEET: I just Googled so for all our American listeners 150
kilometers is like 93 miles.
VANESSA: There you go.
BHAVNEET: I would never feel comfortable.
VANESSA: It was pretty fast I was like this is not not
great but you know in parts of Colorado the speed limit might be 75 when
you’re outside of the cities so for me 75 miles per hour is pretty comfortable
if I’m going 130 kilometers I just Googled it that’s 80 miles per hour that’s
not too too bad cause it’s just a little faster than like what I’ve been used
to in Colorado [00:12:51] but even at 80 miles per hour you still have to
be really thinking on your feet You still have to be really careful your
reaction time has to be fast so it was fun because I was like wow I’ve never
really driven this fast consistently down the highway or on the Autobahn or
whatever but at the same time it was a little nerve wracking. I still had
people just zooming past me I mean there are people who go 200 kilometers an
hour on the Autobahn it’s a little crazy. So it’s it’s different there for sure.
And then also driving in the
cities was actually more nerve-wracking because they have more they have
different rules. They don’t have stop signs in Germany. They have if you’re
like in a little neighborhood you just have to know who the who has the right
of way. They do a lot of traffic circles and you can’t turn right on red.
Actually nobody taught me how to drive in Germany. My dad Is American and spent
a lot of time in Germany I think he went to medical school in Germany for like
15 years or something crazy. So he taught me while I was learning to drive in
Colorado also how to drive in Germany. So he would be like we’re doing this but
just you know if you’re driving in Germany that doesn’t fly. [00:13:51] So I
always had that at the back of my mind, and I kind of knew okay if I’m in
Germany driving I’ll be okay and it really helped. But I actually got a
speeding ticket in Germany. I was like man. It was like in a in the city and
they have speed cameras I don’t want to say everywhere, but in a lot of
places and I was going I think it was like 10 kilometers over the speed limit
So they sent me a ticket in the mail.
Anyway it’s it’s different for
sure. It’s not so different though. If you’re American or Canadian and you
drive in Germany, you’ll probably be okay. You’ll figure it out. It’s not like
driving in the UK on the other side of the road. It’s not like driving in
countries where I mean I haven’t been actually to Asia at all but I know that
I’ve heard from people that it’s a different experience driving in like an
Asian country for example.
TARANJIT: When you were in Germany, was it a manual
car or automatic because I know a lot of European and like Asian countries it
tends to be more manual cars over automatic cars?
VANESSA: Yeah it was manual. I [00:14:51] learned to
drive on automatic in Colorado and then after I got my driver’s license I
focused on learning manual. Cause I just wanted to pass the test and like not
have too many things to think about during the test. Then I learned manual
after. And I love it.
I actually love driving it
makes me sad that driving is so bad for the environment because I actually
really like to do it.
BHAVNEET: Yay join the driving club. I know it’s so bad for the
environment, but it’s so fun.
VANESSA: I know. I really love road trips just getting
on the highway and just taking these long stretches. I dunno. It’s just so fun.
TARANJIT: So you were saying that there’s no stop signs
or like not many stops signs in Germany. So do you prefer stop signs or do you
like the circles more?
VANESSA: I actually really liked the circles if people
know how to use them because it really keeps the flow of traffic going. I find
in Colorado for example like and here in Edmonton well actually I’ll take that
back because in Edmonton in a lot of neighborhoods there are yields instead of
stop signs and I actually really like [00:15:51] that because nobody really
stops at stop signs anyway. So why not just pause and look both ways, make sure
it’s safe and then go. It keeps the flow of traffic going better. In Germany it
was weird because it’s if you have the right like whoever’s on the right has
the right of way I could be wrong about that I can’t quite remember but it was
nerve wracking driving through the neighborhoods in Germany because of that.
But where there was a
traffic circle my dad had taught me In the States this is how you use the
traffic circle the correct way. Use your blinker when you’re leaving the
traffic circle to tell people that you’re leaving the circle. All these things
he taught me how to do it in the like German or European way. And so that
helped me a lot when I was in Germany. And it just feels like things move
smoother that way.
BHAVNEET: Yeah I think traffic circles are a great idea
only if people know how to use them.
VANESSA: Yeah.
BHAVNEET: Because I don’t think a lot of people here in Maryland know
how to use them.
VANESSA: Yeah totally. I have found that in the States
that people just don’t really don’t really get it.
BHAVNEET: Yeah you did mention that you were taught [00:16:51] to use
your blinker in the traffic circle. Have you noticed that people actually do
that? Because or at least here, I know that nobody does that. But when we went
to Australia, I was so shocked that like our uncle would turn on his blinker
when he was entering the circle until he left the circle and I was like, what?
This is the way to do it.
VANESSA: Yeah. That’s interesting. In Germany people
definitely use their blinkers not necessarily going into the circle but
definitely leaving the circle. I’m pretty sure it’s the law and if the police
saw you, they could ticket you sort of thing. And in Germany they also have
those traffic circles that are two lanes and we have a couple of those here in
Edmonton and it should be really simple to use them. But I get confused because
I don’t think the people the other people are using them properly so then I’m
confused about how to use it. Because my understanding is you come into the
traffic circle and there’s the two lanes and maybe you’re in the left lane or
you’re supposed to be in the left lane to go around the circle but then you go
over to the right lane to exit the [00:17:51] circle and you use your blinker
to exit the circle. That’s my understanding. But people do this weird thing
where they’re like in the right lane and they just go around the circle all the
way in the right lane. And I’m like no that’s not how it works. So then it just
ends up being this. So far I haven’t had an accident Thank goodness and knock
on wood but it’s this whole thing of Oh am I going this way? Or is this person
coming over here? Am I going over there? It’s just weird.
BHAVNEET: Yeah like they even have signs posted. I dunno if it’s such a
new concept here, people are like, Oh my God. A circle. How do I go around it?
I want to keep going straight. So there’s two lanes, but people will just
drive straight through. It’s like, no. There’s lanes. It’s a circle. Like don’t
go straight.
VANESSA: That sounds dangerous.
BHAVNEET: It’s very dangerous. There’s lots of accidents that happen
ever since they put in these circles.
VANESSA: Oh no. Yeah it seems confusing. We also have a
small traffic circle near our neighborhood where we live and it’s a small
circle It’s just one lane. But, for example, if I’m going straight and I need
to turn left on this street but there’s a circle there the way this [00:18:51]
circle I think it’s cuz of the size of it It’s so small using your blinker to
leave the circle almost doesn’t feel right because you feel like you’re just
taking a left a normal left. I don’t know what’s up with traffic circles.
They’re so confusing.
TARANJIT: Yeah. It’s like you might know the rules, but
then the other person might not so you might confuse them in the process and
then they’re like, what’s going on?
VANESSA: Exactly.
TARANJIT: So switching gears a little bit.
VANESSA: Ha ha. Switching gears.
TARANJIT: Yeah. Pun.
VANESSA: She didn’t do that on purpose.
TARANJIT: Yes I did. I was thinking about it. But diving
a little deeper into the type of driver you are. I know we started to get a
little bit of a picture of the type of driver you are. And I feel like I
know what you’re gonna say to this question, but still gonna ask. When you’re
given the option would you prefer to be the driver or the passenger.
VANESSA: The driver?
BHAVNEET: You’re so hesitant.
TARANJIT: I thought that you were going to be so sure. I
thought you were going to be like a hundred percent driver. But that answer.
VANESSA: I drive a lot. If my husband and I were going
out in the same car [00:19:51] somewhere, I end up driving cause he’s not super
keen on driving. He also had an ankle injury that is never going to be a
hundred percent resolved so he uses cruise control for just even short
stretches on the highway which is like ah to me. It’s weird, but I understand.
I ended up driving a lot and I actually don’t mind it because I do like to
drive. I was just hesitant answering the question because I’m like sometimes
though it’s really nice to have my husband drive cause then I don’t have to
worry about it.
TARANJIT: That’s true.
VANESSA: I’m not a bad backseat driver. I don’t yell at
my husband and tell him what to do or not to do or whatever. But I also don’t
feel a hundred percent comfortable if I’m not the one behind the wheel
BHAVNEET: Yeah I can totally understand that. Sometimes where you’re
sitting in the car and you’re like, Oh my God. Hit the brakes, hit the brakes.
VANESSA: I’m like that with my parents.
BHAVNEET: Oh.
VANESSA: If they’re driving, I’m like holding onto the,
the, well, I only know a non-clean version of the handle that’s above the door.
BHAVNEET: Well that’s a great segue into our next question. How would
you describe the type of [00:20:51] driver that you are and would you say that
your family and friends would describe your driving in the same way?
VANESSA: Good question. I think I would describe myself
as a defensive driver because I feel that I’m really aware of what’s going on
around me all the time. I make sure to check my mirrors often and I’m always
scanning side to side with my eyes. All that stuff that they teach you in
Driver’s Ed. I’m like the perfect driver’s Ed student. Just kidding. I don’t
know if that’s true but yeah I just try to really pay attention and make sure
that I know always what’s happening. And my dad really taught me to be that
way. So I would say that I’m a defensive driver in that I will see somebody
else doing something stupid and depending on the situation I’ll just like let
them do the stupid thing.
And I actually think my
friends and family would say that as well. Like my husband and I have actually
talked about it and he is like I trust your driving completely. You’re a great
driver. I do know though that sometimes he’s nervous because I probably
sometimes should start breaking sooner [00:21:51] than I do, like at stoplights.
TARANJIT: Well that’s good to hear. Would you consider
yourself someone who is a honker or would honk at others?
VANESSA: Oh my God I’m the worst honker. I never honk.
And I probably should.
BHAVNEET: I feel you. I feel you.
VANESSA: It’s more that when something is happening
where I might need to honk, I’m so I’m so hyper alert about what’s happening
that I forget that honking is something I should do. Because I’m just like okay
I’m paying attention. I’m seeing what this person’s doing and what that
person’s doing and I’m watching and whatever and it doesn’t it doesn’t occur to
me to honk. I don’t think I am much of one. Also I know those people who
like if somebody takes like two seconds too long to accelerate at a light
they’re like mrrr. And I’m just not that kind of person.
BHAVNEET: Oh. We are exactly the same. I’m always like in those
situations. How do I get out of this situation? I don’t even think about
honking.
VANESSA: Yeah, that’s interesting. I hadn’t really
thought about it until somebody asked me.
BHAVNEET: Well speaking of honking and annoying drivers, what would you
say is your [00:22:51] biggest driving pet peeve?
VANESSA: I’m like if I we’re driving right this second I
would be able to point it out to you really quickly, but now I have to think. I
think the hogging the left lane thing is really annoying because it really
disrupts the flow of traffic. Like I was saying in Colorado, like in Denver
,there are these seven lane highways, and in theory having more lanes would get
rid of congestion, but it doesn’t work that way because people are just sitting
in the left lanes.
Let’s say like middle and then
the two left lanes, they’re just sitting there and you can’t get around them.
And then people start passing on the right which I feel is actually really
dangerous. And I find driving in Denver for example nerve wracking because
sometimes I’ll be in a lane and I want to go to the into the right lane, the
lane next to me, and people will just zip into that lane. Barely use their
blinker. They might use it for two seconds or not at all. And then suddenly I’m
almost hitting this person. That is so annoying.
And then another one lately
that I’ve really noticed here in Edmonton is the whole like not letting people
in. And it even happens when you’re [00:23:51] just driving normally and you’re
planning ahead. And you’re like, Oh in a couple of streets and a couple
of lights, I will have to get I will have to turn left. So I’m going to get in
the left lane now and still people aren’t letting you in.
It’s not always the situation
of, Oh no I suddenly need to get in this left lane because I forgot I have to
turn here and then they won’t let you in. It’s just all the time. And I find
that so frustrating. It’s like come on people just be courteous. It won’t kill
you to slow down a tiny bit. You don’t have to stop just just slow down a bit
to let somebody in and I’m like really fired up about that because it’s really
annoying.
BHAVNEET: But Canadians are supposed to be so nice.
VANESSA: I mean, I’m not going to say Canadians aren’t
nice, but there is definitely this idea that Canadians are super nice and
passive, which they are in some ways, but in other ways, not always.
BHAVNEET: Just let it out on the road.
VANESSA: And at hockey games, if you go to a
hockey game, phew.
TARANJIT: So earlier I know you mentioned that when you
were younger you used to have road rage. Do you remember a particular instance
where you had road rage and has anyone ever [00:24:51] had road rage towards
you?
VANESSA: I can’t think of a specific situation for me.
Like me having road rage. I just know that I would get frustrated and I might
yell at people if they were going too slow or whatever. But I think I also just
had really bad time management and I wouldn’t leave the house on time for
things and it was just stressful all around.
But I will tell you a story of
somebody having road rage in front of me. I was driving in Vancouver actually
and I was coming up to a light and I stopped behind two cars, two cars in front
of me, and everything was normal until suddenly one person got out of one of
the cars went to the other car that person lowered their window and then the
first person punched him through the window.
BHAVNEET: What?
VANESSA: And I was with my roommates and we were
like what just happened. It seemed so out of the blue, and we were like what?
It just didn’t I don’t know. But it was really uncalled for in my opinion. I
was like okay, I’m going to remember the first 3 letters [00:25:51] of the
license plate, you remember the last 3. And we called the cops when we got
home. Yeah that was that was something.
BHAVNEET: That’s crazy. So he just went up and punched him and then
they just went about their day?
VANESSA: Pretty much. But we were like, nah, we’re going
to, we’re going to report this. That was stupid.
TARANJIT: Yeah like Okay. I can see if someone’s angry
they come out and they start yelling at each other or whatever, but him going
to the point of actually punching the other person.
VANESSA: Oh Yeah.
TARANJIT: That’s like one step too far.
VANESSA: It was ridiculous.
BHAVNEET: So now that we the type of driver that you are, let’s go back
to your driving firsts. How would you describe your first time driving
experience and who was it with?
VANESSA: Probably my dad because he did a lot of my
driving teaching. I did have some Driver’s Ed classes in between because that
was going to give me cheaper insurance, but most of it was with my dad. I
believe the first time I drove was in our old Prius. I was probably 15
because that’s when I could get my learner’s permit [00:26:51] and I think we
just went to a parking lot and the typical here’s how you turn left and right
and don’t bump into people and stay between the lines.
But the thing that’s really memorable
for me was the first time that I drove stick and my dad had my grandfather’s
old Oldsmobile. I don’t remember the model, but basically it only had an AM
radio. And it was old and musty and the clutch was it was the worst clutch to
try to start learning manual on. So it was very frustrating and I remember
stalling over and over and over again, and I just got so frustrated. I was
like, I’m not doing this anymore. I just stopped right then and there. I was
like, nope.
TARANJIT: So how was the actual driving part of it? Did
you pass the first time? Was it easy?
VANESSA: I did pass the first time and I remember going
to a different town that’s about 20 minutes away from I didn’t do the test in
the mountains cause I was talking about growing up in the mountains. I did it
not in the mountains. Let’s just put it that way. It’s hard to [00:27:51]
describe the geography.
But I decided to do that
because I knew that town wasn’t going to be as busy in terms of volume of cars
and traffic I remember I had a harder time one of the things I had a hard
time with was staying at the at a consistent speed. For example if it was 25
miles an hour I remember like creeping up to 27 and then having to go back down
to 25. And the car had the the speedometer display was up in the front where
everybody could see it. And it was it wasn’t a needle it was actually numbers.
So she could see when I was going 27 and not going 25. So she docked to me a
couple of points for that and then there was a time In that test where I came
up to a four-way stop and I stopped at the stop sign like you’re supposed to
do. And then there was a woman an older woman crossing crossing in front of me,
but across the street. But I went a little bit into the intersection without waiting
for her cross first and she docked me for that, too. Which is kind of stupid
cause everybody does it that way really.
TARANJIT: Yeah, but not on the driving test.
VANESSA: No. I guess not.
TARANJIT: [00:28:51] Did you have to parallel park?
VANESSA: I did not. It’s funny because people have told
me about how they had to parallel park for their driving test that I was so
excited and happy that I didn’t have to. I know that here in Canada most of the
provinces have like a graduated license system where you get your learner’s
permit, and then you get your in British Columbia where Vancouver is it’s
called an N. So N for new driver and you can only have one other person in the
car with you for a certain amount of time, and then you get your final license.
And when you’re a new driver
in Vancouver or British Columbia you have to put an N sticker on your car and
all this stuff. But in Colorado it was get your permanent 15. To get the
permit, you do the written test and then at 16 you’re allowed to take the driving
test and then you have your license. It was pretty easy.
TARANJIT: Oh wow. So then it’s everyone knows that
person is a new driver with the N on the car.
VANESSA: Yeah. And I think they do that on purpose so
that a, you don’t get as frustrated with them and B you can watch out for them
because they might do something stupid.
TARANJIT: I feel [00:29:51] like a lot of people we
asked of all the guests that come on they didn’t have to parallel park
and it’s so shocking to me because that’s one of the things we had to do here.
And I’m shocked how many states or tests don’t require that.
VANESSA: I know in Texas you do, because my cousins when
they got their driver’s licenses had to do it.
TARANJIT: So when you did move to Canada, was it just a
simple transfer your license or did you have to retake any part of the driving
test?
VANESSA: It was a simple transfer of the license as long
as I could prove that I had had my license in the States for a certain number
of years. And then if I had only had my license for like 2 years or a year I
can remember exactly what it was but then I would’ve had to take lessons.
And I’m really glad I didn’t have to do that cause it would just be frustrating
at the age of 36 to have somebody try to tell me how to drive.
TARANJIT: [00:30:51] In there with a bunch of young
drivers, trying to get your license again.
VANESSA: Yeah. I wouldn’t want to do that.
BHAVNEET: Do you think that parallel parking should be required on all
tests?
VANESSA: I think yes even though I didn’t have to do it.
I think it also depends on where you are or in Vancouver you have to know how
to parallel park in order to park pretty much anywhere; whereas in Edmonton,
you almost never have to parallel park. So it probably just depends on where
you are, but I think it’s a really really good skill to know early on. So why
not. Why not make people parallel park.
TARANJIT: Make everyone else do it. But you didn’t have
to.
VANESSA: Well I mean it’s more like back then I was like
so happy that I didn’t have to because I knew my cousins in Texas had to and
that kind of thing. I knew my mom in Germany had to for sure, but now looking
back, I’m like eh. It probably makes sense to have it on the test because it’s
a really useful thing to know.
TARANJIT: Yeah. Especially, if you’re going to travel or
drive to a different place and that’s like your only option. What are you going
to do with your car, just keep driving around?
VANESSA: Exactly.
TARANJIT: So I know earlier you mentioned you got a speed camera ticket
in Germany, but I know you also shared with us that you an interesting ticket
experience in Texas.
VANESSA: [00:31:51] Yes It was very weird. I was
driving. We were going on a road trip from Colorado to Texas to visit my dad’s
family and I got pulled over by a state trooper. No actually I don’t think it
was a state trooper. I think it was like a local guy. And I was only going a
few over. I remember it was maybe like 55 and I was only like 58. It was not
very much. So he pulled me over and my dad I remember him being like, Oh it’s
probably because he has a quota to fill because there was nobody around. It was
ridiculous. So the guy comes to my window and it’s all normal license and
registration. And then he’s like come with me. And I’m like, what?
And I looked at my dad and I’m
like do I have to go with him? And he’s like you probably should. Which I still
to this day, I’m like dad what the heck? Like I, as a parent, would have been
like, no you’re staying. You’re staying. There’s no reason for you to go with
him. But I was like, okay.
So I went with him and he made
me sit in the passenger seat of his police car while he wrote me a ticket.
BHAVNEET: Wait what?
VANESSA: Yeah. And I was under 18 and I’m female.
[00:32:51] I mean I was of scared. I was like what is this guy gonna do to me.
Just because my parents are there doesn’t mean he’s not going to do something.
It was not cool.
TARANJIT: I never heard of that where you, they ask you to come into
the car?
BHAVNEET: And that too in the passenger seat. They’re just like, get
into the front.
VANESSA: Yeah. It was very weird. My first thought was
like, am I under arrest? This is so strange. So yeah I went and sat and he
wrote me the ticket and then he gave it to me and told me to leave. But
something that I think is really important for people to know is that there are
numbers you can call if you are worried that like for example if you’re out on
a dark street and it’s midnight there’s nobody around but a cop car comes up
behind you suddenly and wants to pull you over You have every right to call
these numbers that you can find I’m sure it’s a different number at each place
but you can call and just be like I just want to verify that there is actually
a legitimate police officer on this street pulling you over because people
impersonate cops and people do horrible things. And you just need to be safe
and you need to advocate for [00:33:51] yourself in that way. I’m really glad
that that is an option because at that time I mean it was broad daylight, my
parents were in the other car. But I didn’t know what was happening. It was
scary cause I was like what is he going to do? Drive me off somewhere? Is he
gonna assault me? It was strange.
TARANJIT: In today’s time, it’s a big don’t get out of your car. Like
that’s the thing. You’re not supposed to. If you start to get out of your car,
the police officer will be like, what are you doing? But the fact that he asked
you to get out, is just I guess it’s because it was a while back, but still.
It’s weird.
VANESSA: Absolutely. And that is why I say the thing
about call whatever number to find out if you’re legitimately being pulled over.
TARANJIT: Well that’s good to know for anyone that is listening and is
in that situation because I have heard of a lot of situations where people have
impersonated police officers. And it can be scary because it’s like you want to
trust a police officer, but at the same time it’s like, are they a real police
officer. You don’t want to be in that situation to be able to have to decide is
this legit or not.
VANESSA: And especially if you have to make a decision
super [00:34:51] quickly. You want to just know that it’s okay. The advice that
I’ve gotten is just keep driving If a police officer comes up behind you and
wants to pull you over. Just keep driving until you can call that number and
maybe you can set it as like a speed dial or something just to have it.
Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but what if you do.
TARANJIT: Yeah. It’s important to prepare for those emergency
situations before it actually happens. Because, like you said, in the moment
you’re gonna be like, now, what do I do? But if you already have it ready, then
you can just go with whatever plan you had laid out.
VANESSA: Yeah, absolutely.
TARANJIT: So I know earlier we were talking about how you love driving.
We also love driving. And how if it was environmentally friendly, that’d be
awesome. With the future of cars turning into self-driving cars and possibly
being more or on that more environmentally friendly route, what are your
thoughts on this? And would you be comfortable getting in a self-driving car?
VANESSA: I’ve thought about this. I actually on my
podcast, That’s the Ticket, we talked about this in terms of traveling and
wouldn’t it be cool [00:35:51] if you could just get into a self-driving car
and go for a road trip and you wouldn’t have to take a bus or a plane and it
would just be your little car on your own. Wouldn’t that be nice? And I think
as long as there had been lots of testing and there had been lots of proof that
a self-driving car is safe or as safe as it can be then I would be comfortable
because when you drive on your own things could happen it’s not 100% safe. No
matter what what you’re doing it’s not a hundred percent safe
I keep thinking back to the
story my dad told me where his great-grandfather I think in Mississippi was
this car salesman, cars were super new, came into town and was like I want to
sell you this car. And apparently my great-grandfather was like, show me that
it can go up that hill and I’ll buy one. So it makes me think along those lines
with new technology people are always skeptical. So as long as something is
tested and proven to be safe most of the time yeah I would get [00:36:51] in
one.
BHAVNEET: Bonus question time.
VANESSA: Okay.
BHAVNEET: If you could make one new driving law, what would it be? Oh
no.
VANESSA: That is such a good question. I was not
expecting that.
TARANJIT: All the power.
VANESSA: Yeah. No kidding. For some reason all the
things that come to mind are things that are already laws. Which is probably
why they’re already laws.
TARANJIT: Yeah.
BHAVNEET: Yeah. That would make sense.
VANESSA: This is not something that is totally like
required. Oh wait. They are. At least here they are. Okay this is not
something that is totally out of left field. So here in Alberta and I know they
have them in the States too there are these groups of people but I can’t
remember what they call themselves but they’re basically these people who have
these huge exhaust pipes on their on their trucks. And they spew really awful
black smoke into the air. And their whole thing is being against
environmentally friendly anything. And a lot of them here in Alberta are people
who work in the oil industry which is a big industry here and they’re really
scared that electric [00:37:51] cars and they’re going to get rid of their
livelihood and they won’t have a job anymore. It’s all based in fear. And I
know that there was a climate rally somewhat recently maybe in the summer here
in Edmonton and a bunch of these people and a bunch of people who are truck
drivers came to the rally and just parked near the rally and just like spewed
this stuff into the air. And I shocked that that wasn’t illegal. So that’s the
law that I would make is I would make that illegal.
TARANJIT: Yeah. I think I heard in California, they’re
hoping by, I forget what year, to start, stop, like selling gas cars, cars that
use gas, and start pushing towards electric vehicles. And then I think I also
and I don’t remember what European country, but they’re also pushing to like,
if your car has like, above this limit pollution is not going to be allowed or
something.
So it’s like a push towards
that hoping to be environmentally friendly sooner later. And that’s a great law
put into place for that.
VANESSA: Yes. I actually just looked it up [00:38:51]
and it’s called rolling coal. And it’s basically people retrofitting their
diesel powered trucks to purposefully spew black smoke into the air as a
statement against climate change.
BHAVNEET: There’s a bunch of people here that do the same thing.
TARANJIT: I don’t know why, but you can’t change everyone, right?
VANESSA: No.
TARANJIT: Yeah. I really like that law. I hope it goes into effect soon.
VANESSA: Thank you.
TARANJIT: Do you have any final thoughts or any tips that you would
like to give other drivers?
VANESSA: I think a lot of tips that I could have given were
probably expressed when I was saying how frustrated I am with certain ways that
people drive. Don’t do those things. But it’s been really fun to talk about
this because I feel like driving has been something that’s been so a part of me
because I’ve lived in places where you have to have a car and It’s nice to just
talk about it and have people be like yeah You know driving actually is pretty
cool. Yeah I I would definitely I really wish the driving was more
environmentally friendly because the act of driving is fun. So [00:39:51]
hopefully things are really moving that direction. And it was nice to be here.
Thank you.
TARANJIT: Yeah. We are super glad that you came on. Before we let you
go, we love being able to support one another, and I know you have 2 different
podcasts. Do you want to tell us a little about and where can our listeners
find it?
VANESSA: So I’ve had a podcast for about 5 years. It’s
called Not Another X-Files podcast podcast. It’s about the X-Files in case you
didn’t guess. My cohost Carolyn and I we talk about episodes and other
X-Files related things. It’s a lot of fun.
I also have a newer podcast
with my friend Rinat and you guys actually had a little clip that we played on
one of our recent episodes which was awesome to have you involved. Our podcast
is called That’s The Ticket and our subtitle is a podcast for people with itchy
feet, a travel podcast for people with itchy feet. So we talk about
travel So you can find that one at that’s the ticket pod.com.
BHAVNEET: Well thank you so much for coming on. It was fun talking to
you and hearing about your crazy driving stories, and your experiences in
Germany, U.S., and Canada. And it’s always fun to find another. driving
[00:40:51] fan.
VANESSA: Yeah. Definitely. Thank you so much.
(transition music)
TARANJIT: That road rage
incident that Vanessa was describing or that she witnessed, I was like crazy. I
would never have expected to hear or see that happen. Like someone getting out
of the car and punching another driver.
BHAVNEET: That’s kind of
what you would think about like you would think you would see on movies or in
shows.
TARANJIT: If you saw that
happening in front of you would you have done what she did and like think to
call the cops or actually call the cops?
BHAVNEET: I would like to
think that I would but who knows what I would do?
TARANJIT: You would know
what you would do.
BHAVNEET: I can neither
confirm nor deny…
TARANJIT: But you didn’t
even…
BHAVNEET: The actions I
will take.
TARANJIT: I can neither
confirm or deny that I witnessed…
BHAVNEET: What I would do.
If I would call the cops. I feel like I’m mean that’s the right thing to do. [00:42:44] What would you do?
TARANJIT: I don’t know. I
feel like in the moment. I will be like what?
BHAVNEET: If anything
happens, you’re like, huh.
TARANJIT: Exactly.
BHAVNEET: Freeze.
TARANJIT: Exactly. I am
frozen. I would be like, what do I do? What do I do? Like, you know, I would be
so shocked that I saw that happening. Plus I don’t know the one time we’ve had
to call the cops and report an incident, I or not just once. I feel like we
reported incidents two or three times by now. I just feel like we don’t get the
response that we would get if we weren’t a person of color, personally.
BHAVNEET: Yeah. I don’t
know that just because it’s just where we live but yeah, I don’t know. I’m
hesitant to have to deal with cops.
TARANJIT: Yeah. So I don’t
know what I want to do. But have you ever actually experienced road rage?
BHAVNEET: Yes I have and I
don’t know why but this dude randomly. I was on my way to University. It’s
always when we’re coming or going from University.
TARANJIT: Yeah. All of our [00:43:44] stories happened then.
BHAVNEET: I don’t know.
That’s the most driving we’ve done. But I was going to class in the morning and
I don’t know what I did to anger this person or if he was already angry and
like, you know, just venting it on me.
TARANJIT: I can neither
confirm…
BHAVNEET: Nor deny his
feelings at that moment. I mean what caused. I knew what his feelings were at
that moment. But I turned into this residential area cuz that leads to the
school and I was at the first stop sign and this guy comes and he stops behind
me. And I was the second I start going he starts yelling and losing it and I’m
like, I don’t know what just happened. There’s nobody at the stop sign. What
did I do?
TARANJIT: Is he yelling at
me?
BHAVNEET: I was like, I
don’t know what just happened. And so, I just kept going. I’m like, I don’t
know. Maybe he’s just talking to someone on the phone and he’s just angry. And
then I get to the next stop sign and then he like gets on my bumper and then he
starts pointing at the stop sign and starts yelling and I’m like, [00:44:44] I don’t understand what’s going on. Why are you yelling at me?
And so I start freaking out and in my head, I kind of had this thought that
maybe I should turn at one of these stop signs like to go down the side road
because it kind of connects back into the the road. I was on and that way he’ll
be in front of me, but I didn’t. I mean I totally should have because out of
mind right? Like you don’t have to follow me anymore.
TARANJIT: What if you turned
there, too?
BHAVNEET: I know then I was
like, I’ll just go back towards the main road and make a big circle.
TARANJIT: Make a big
circle. Like you’re drawing a circle on the road.
BHAVNEET: And so I just
kept going and then every stop sign there’s like three or four of them, he
would just come on my bumper and started yelling and pointing and I’m like, I
don’t know what’s going on. Why are you yelling at me? I didn’t do anything
wrong. I’m like I’m stopping. You’re obviously not because you just keep
rolling through the stop sign just just to follow me. I was like, what’s going
on? And so then, the road finally turns into two lanes at the next stop sign [00:45:44] and he like goes so close to me. Like he’s going to hit my car
and I’m freaking out. And I’m like, don’t make eye contact. Don’t make eye
contact. He’s already angry and then I had to look right because it was a
four-way stop sign and then I was like, uh.
TARANJIT: I’m not looking
at you.
BHAVNEET: I looked right
and he lost it and I’m like, uh. Time to go. It’s my turn. And then he like hit
the gas and like cut me off so close and then zoomed off. And of course my luck
at the next light, he was stuck at a red light and I had to come behind him.
And then I was like I went very slowly. I was going like 2 miles an hour and
I’m like turn green. Turn green. Turn green. Turn green. And then it turned
green and he went. And I was like, okay. I’m not stopping behind you. Okay.
Byte. And I got his license plate and everything, but [00:46:44] I didn’t do anything with it because I was like, he’s gone. I
don’t want ever see that person again. I don’t know what your problem was. I
didn’t do anything wrong. Just go away. Thank you. That affected my whole day.
I was just kind of like shaking the whole time. I was like I didn’t do anything
wrong. What was wrong with that man?
TARANJIT: Luckily, I have
not experienced road rage at all, and I hope I don’t.
BHAVNEET: Lucky.
TARANJIT: Yeah.
BHAVNEET: Lucky. It’s not
fun. At least I had the like rational. I don’t know what to say. I was able to
think clearly enough that I was like, hmm. Maybe I should turn down this road.
Maybe I should do this, but…
TARANJIT: You didn’t.
BHAVNEET: I didn’t though.
I got the thought I should have listened. I do that a lot. I get a thought, but
I don’t listen to it. A gut feeling like I should have but I didn’t.
TARANJIT: Yeah. That’s you
to a T.
BHAVNEET: Well that was
Vanessa’s stories. If you or anyone, you know has any crazy driving stories and
would like to come on the show, you’d love to have you on. You can fill out
the interest form on our website at DriveWithUsPodcast.com
TARANJIT: And be sure to
stay tuned until the end of this episode for a sneak peek of next week’s
episode. [00:47:44] And don’t forget to come hang out with us on a Discord
server. Thanks for driving with us.
(outro music)
LAURIE: My daughter and I we were going to go
get Starbucks. For some reason, I don’t know if it was construction or it was
an accident, but it was at a standstill. And so we’re sitting there and we’re
just going to talking. And this car decided that it didn’t want to wait.
So it went off to the side and then cut down through the grass. to get to this side road off of the highway
and you literally drove across, almost hit a semi that was taking the other
side road. And we’re just like, what is he doing? Oh my gosh. And then people
started following him.