Nowadays we are all very aware of some the considerable disadvantages, danger and damage caused by automobile driving. Yet people continue to drive, even when suitable alternatives exists. This talk examines some of the historical reasons as to why people like to drive, looking in particular at some of the city driving of the 1960s and 1970s, and using films like ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Duel’, ‘Vanishing Point’ and ‘C’était un Rendezvous’ to explore notions of liberation, adventure, self-awareness and risk-taking. Given this history, should we be trying to restrict driving to purely essential journeys? Conversely, could it not be that driving should be reserved purely for occasions of personal pleasure?