Audio books when driving?

DD265

I am really struggling with my commute at the moment but because I drive, my options to improve it are somewhat limited.

I've never listened to an audio book but I'm wondering whether to give it a go. My concern is that it'd be distracting trying to consciously listen to the speaker, whereas I can just let music go in the background.

Thoughts?

DigForVictory

I'd listen to it first so you aren't trying to catch every word but just enjoying a friend.

I'd also suggest you steer well clear of comedy like Cabin Pressure whilst driving as I near fall off the bed with laughter when listening - god only knows what would happen if I were driving...

Peter999_2

I've been commuting an hour each way for the last four years. I'll listened to audiobooks for the whole of this time and never had a problem. I do sometimes lose the plot a bit but then just rewind 30 seconds and pick it back up.

I buy my books from audible, they do a daily deal with prices between £.99 and £2.99 and this works well for me.

The deal of today is 99p for Career of Evil (JK Rowling book), really good value.

Head_The_Ball

I would advise against listening to an audio book while driving.

I used to do that until the occasion when, during a dramatic part of the story, there came the loud sound effect of a storm.

I was so surprised that I dropped my mobile phone and spilled my coffee cup all over my lap which caused my knee to lose contact with the steering wheel and my car swerved all over the place.

I was lucky that I had already finished using my electric shaver.

Rain_Shadow

Mrs Shadow drives to and from London each week (about 2 hours each way). She always listens to audio books and finds them a very good.


Personally I'm a Radio4 listener and don't find that distracting.


You can always turn the book off if it is distracting you.

Gloomendoom

I used to listen to plays on the radio while driving. I gave up because they were distracting and I ended up driving a lot more slowly than usual. Also, not a problem with audio books but, if the play hadn't finished by the time I got home, I would sit in the car and listen to the end.

Herzlos

I didn't find it any worse than listening to the radio. I preferred them actually but generally only use them on long (2h+) motorway drives which are otherwise pretty tedious.

facade

I listen to them often, but I really shouldn't as I tend to concentrate on the book, whereas muzak just plays and I'm not bothered.

As a man, I am only able to do one thing at a time, luckily the car pretty much drives itself, and as long as I'm not required to react to anything there isn't a problem, just don't pull out in front of me!

bigadaj

I generally just listen to podcasts, variety of subjects and free.

jimmy_cricket

I'm with herzlos. I only tend to listen to audio books in the car on a longish drive. I've a subscription to audible which is great. The books I listen to whilst driving are not of the taxing variety as it takes too much concentration. Something like the latest lee childs or whatever the latest thriller is.

boundy

I recommend the Harry Potter books read by Stephen Fry, done the lot twice now