Russian Drivers

[I/O]

Some of the wiser heads of the game, both know of whom I speak, warned me at different stages regarding Mrs I/O's learning to drive and the associated risks, to life, limb, machine and relationship. True to form, I ignored much of their advice. Mrs has been driving for around 18 months now but only received her unrestricted licence near the end of 2009, whilst her mother was here on holidays. Pup's off the lead might be one description. I released a Sorento into their "care" initially but for whatever reason, it has taken but a few short months before my beloved ML 430 was removed from my possesion.

The consolation being selling the Sorento and buying myself a somewhat updated version of the 430. I wonder if Mrs You had as much fun in the early stages of driving and you suffered as much as I have (Nerve ends)? Enjoy if you will and add your story as it suits.

[youtube=425,350]9Q8vo_IwODM[/youtube]

[Gator]

I/O,

Thank you for sharing.

Your lovely lady is doing just fine.  I kept waiting for parallel parking footage - perhaps it will be in the sequel, My First Days of Driving II.

You should be proud, especially considering how awkward it is to drive with the steering wheel not on the left hand side. (been there, done that in Ireland with cows and peat wagons everywhere on very narrow country lanes).

My soon ex-wife arrived as an experienced driver, yet with no sense of direction.  In two years, she had one accident (my Lexus vs. tractor trailer truck - no injuries other than pride).  That was one year ago, and liability is still being contested by the two insurance companies. 

[BillyB]

Cool video and interesting to see how focused your wife was driving on the wrong side of the road!!!

[Shadow]

I/O noce movie. Seems that the idea of Australia being just crocs and roo's is not exactly correct  
MrsShadow plans to go driving some time later this year, not yet sure if she should use an old truck or a rubber plated car....

[groovlstk]

Great stuff I/O, and very well done.

Now, for most of us married guys who aged a decade while teaching our wives to drive, where's the footage of tearful arguments, slamming car doors, vehicles abandoned in the middle of the street, etc. This looks like it was too easy for you, man 

[Simoni]

My wife begged me to teach her to drive.  I agreed.

Bad decision!  How do you think it felt taking a highway exit ramp at 80 mph when the posted speed was 25?

We have a new AM/RM couple in our building.  I told him to hire the teaching out.  He agrees...

Nice footage, I/O !

~Simoni

[kievstar]

No issues for my wife driving in a top 5 populated city in USA during rush hour traffic.  She was driving all over by herself with her brand new car right away.  She took lessons in Ukraine prior to coming to USA.  Spend the money upfront before arrival.  Wife driving a car should be easy with right planning.

[Ranetka]

Nice.
What is this music? I really like it.

[I/O]

Funny, I'm glad the married guys enjoyed and can relate. I think these sorts of threads, if the newer guys take note, can be of immense value going forward.

The LH steering vs RH steering thing is interesting. I'm a fairly experienced driver on a lot of different levels and although I adapted very quickly, moving to a LHD vehicle in USA years back and then dealing with Mexico took a little doing. By the same token, I've seen drivers used to driving LHD vehicles come here and adapt to the RHD vehicles in a heartbeat.

There was one minor incident with a garage door pillar but other than a few near misses which I don't really want to know about, there hasn't been any major incidents .................. yet. Groov, tears? Lol, the foot stamping and walk out came during the written driving examination. Total frustration (Technical English) 18 months ago. Fortunately, those days are behind us. Now it is a phone call (when she steals my car) which goes something like "Where is the stupid Benzine cover on this stupid car"?

Gator, yes, she has done fairly well and although I'm sure I'd survive, I honestly don't know what I'd do without her now.

Renetka: I will ask about the music, I honestly don't know, I had nothing to do with putting the film together, didn't even know it existed until she mentioned it yesterday.

C'mon guys, you all must have some more war stories. We need something to inspire the young'uns.

[BillyB]

C'mon guys, you all must have some more war stories. We need something to inspire the young'uns.

Alrighty then. When I was married to my ex Ukrainian wife, I bought her a new Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition since she promised she'll be a good driver.

The new tires had raised white lettering but due to her horrible parallel parking, the tires became whitewalls on the passenger side.

Once she was backing up and tore off the passenger side mirror.

She don't remember what she rubbed up against but it scratched one of the alloy wheels and paint.

She once rear ended another vehicle.

Other than that, she's a good driver for the 8 years she's been doing it.

[Gator]

C'mon guys, you all must have some more war stories. We need something to inspire the young'uns.

No. 1:   The late Doug Salem was an excellent writer.  On another forum years ago he chronicled the "joy" of teaching Olga how to drive.  IIRC, he thought it would be safe to teach her in the parking lot of a shopping mall in the early hours when not crowded.  Somehow she got the BMW entangled in the shrubbery of the decorative planting medians.

No. 2:  My war story is explained in photos.  While my soon ex-wife was an experienced driver, tractor-trailer rigs are rare in Russian cities.  She was unaware of the wide swing they must make to turn.  Photos below.

No. 3:  Simoni just sent me a PM explaining how she scared Simoni's wife and friend speechless doing one illegal maneuver.  Something about turning right on red even though cars were coming from the left.

[Gylden]

LOL, my wife refuses to drive, we talk now and then about moving to the US, but it always hits a road block when we get to the driving part. She says that everyone in the US must drive and that is the end of it.
It's OK with me, but maybe one day she will change her mind.
 

[BillyB]

 she had one accident (my Lexus vs. tractor trailer truck - no injuries other than pride).  That was one year ago, and liability is still being contested by the two insurance companies. 

Based off your photos, I see why the insurance agencies don't agree. Tractor trailer trucks have the right to take a number of lanes to swing wide to go around corners so their trailer doesn't run over curbs to hit people and other objects on the other side of curbs such as grass, poles and fire hydrants or run over them and crack the sidewalks or the curb itself.... but after looking at how big that intersection is, there's no reason for the truck to take two lanes. His trailer wheels never would've touched the curb. My guess is that he wanted to make a right and last minute changed his mind to go left thinking he was making a wrong turn.

[Doll]

  I learned to drive in Russia (my husband-to-be paid for the lessons), only started driving independently here, in the States. J. barely had time to teach me, also, as I understand, was scared  . So, from day one I was in the car by myself with the kid.
  I was a little shaky but had to do what I had to do- learn he area and the driving itself.
 So, I survived 
Love my car and driving a lot!
 Later I taught my 16 yo to drive (every day for 6 months), he has his DL now.

[I/O]

What is this music? I really like it.

Mrs I/O tells me it is of Arabic or Turkish origins, she has it on file if you'd like a copy. PM me an email or Skype address and she will forward it.

Gator: Being marched around the inside corner by as we call them, a Semi Trailer is not unique. I think your future ex got off lightly regardless of fault. Mrs I/O is a sound if not super confident driver and when it comes to our transport equipment which is far more imposing than anything I saw in USA, at least prior to 2006, she cringes at times.

Below is a couple of examples of what we use here now for the most part and yes, they do have access to all city areas.   Front trailer is around 30-35 feet mostly and the back trailer is 42 or 45 feet depending on the model. All up it's imposing, both to contend with and to drive. Nevertheless, there are surprisingly few accidents with them.

Early learning was under my tuition and did produce a few fireworks but once she was at the stage I thought she could get good value out of it, we engaged a professional instructor to guide her through to and including practical driving test. It was money well spent. Imagine the consequences of practical test failure under my tuition..........

[SANDRO43]

Mrs I/O tells me it is of Arabic or Turkish origins

The lyrics don't quite sound like either - no Arabic glottal stops and no nasal Turkish vowels. It could be something from India or thereabouts, more likely .

[Ranetka]

The lyrics don't quite sound like either - no Arabic glottal stops and no nasal Turkish vowels. It could be something from India or thereabouts, more likely .

It sounds Indidan to me.

[Gylden]

????           

[Doll]

Indian 

[I/O]

I really don't know where the music comes from and I doubt she does either. It's a nice piece regardless.

Gylden: Yes, we do have road trains and in some instances more trailers than in your picture but they are restricted to certain areas and Mrs I/O isn't likely to come up against one any time soon (Not sure a BP tanker was your best choice for the moment) .

Has anyone tried to teach their Russian Wife to either tow or reverse a trailer (Boat or other small trailer)? :whirling:

[Gylden]

Ha anyone tried to teach their Russian Wife to either tow or reverse a trailer (Boat or other small trailer)? :whirling:

 

Have not, but I would LOVE to see some of those pics!!

I tried to find some picture of the logging truck, which were in use in the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia, but couldn't find them (too bad). In Oregon it was legal a few years back to have a semi with three trailers.

I wish I could get my wife to drive, maybe some day.

[I/O]

I wish I could get my wife to drive, maybe some day.

I have no advice to offer there, maybe it's something which will come when the need dictates.