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Driving Anxiety.
Hello. This is LM, and this time I'm the one who needs advice! Anyways, I recently got my permit. I went through driver's ed, I'm doing driving school in a couple months, etc. etc.
I know the rules of the road, I don't speed, things like that. I went on the highway for the first time today, got off at the first exit, and ended up in rush hour traffic (well, for a small town we have a LOT of cars, haha) and to put it bluntly, I freaked out. I didn't lose control of the car, so I know I as doing okay. Is there any way I can reduce my anxiety/nervousness about driving? Tips from experienced drivers, or actually anyone who drives legally, will help me out more than you can imagine.
Thanks in advance! ♥
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I definitely know the anxiety you're talking about, and the only way to get over it is just to practice driving as much as you can. I've been driving since last June, and there are still some things that freak me out but I no longer break out in a cold sweat every time I have to make a left turn onto a highway or something. When I first started driving, I got so nervous about things that it was unreal. If I needed to go anywhere by myself, I would have to have a route planned out because I was so scared of getting lost or something. And the only thing that helped me was time. Over time, I got much, much better about not being as anxious. So just keep driving, and take some deep breaths- the anxiety will pass, believe me! And don't let your friends ride with you until the anxiety is gone- the first time I let someone else ride with me was a few months after I had gotten my license, and it was raining and I seriously almost had a cow. It took me a while to realize that knowing the road rules and feeling comfortable driving are two totally different things. Just keep driving, and it will get better!
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hey i've had my full license since a year ago from july. my drivers ed teacher really helped me get comfortable with the road. he put me on a busy strip and pretty much told me to go for it lol i wass definitely nervous, but the best advice i have for you is that the more you drive, the more comfortable you will be with driving and your ability to drive. by the end of the summer i felt great and confident. no accidents at all for me! :)
you could try mastering the basics of driving first. go out driving with your parents on roads you know during quiet times. work on basics, get really good at keeping distance behind cars, turns, etcc . think about what made you panicy. was it that there were just so many cars on the road? if so, the more practice in situations like these, the better. just keep in mind once you have your skills down you will be fine.
the only way to get better in these panicy situation is to face them. no tailgating, keeping a good speed, etc and soon it will be like second nature to you, trust me! and yes when i got my permit i thought i would never be a solid confident driver.
-relax, take a deep breath
-relaxing music, gum, practicing more on quiet roads and easing into the busy stuff, and the biggest thing, overall practice. the more you drive, the better you will become. :)
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Oh My Gosh!! I had the same exact thing except I tried to avoid driving period because I always thought I would hit someone.I even had nightmares. The only thing I can tell you is to take deep breaths and go for it. You do it a lot and you get used to it. Also tell the person you are driving with to be nice to you because if you have a panicky passenger you will more than likely also be panicky!
Hope I helped...it will get easier!
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I've been behind the wheel for a year and a half now, and I was pretty scared starting out, too.
Have a trusted adult with you when possible. Someone who won't freak out, and if something does happen, will be able to handle the situation calmly.
Always know the exact directions to wherever you're going.
Similarly, know the rules of the streets. For example, which streets are "one way" streets, which lanes are for turns
Change lanes ahead of time. (and always do S.M.O.G. Signal, check in Mirror, look Over shoulder, Go)
If you are really nervous, put on some music. Do this before you start driving, and once you do, no changing channels or skipping songs!! Keep both hands on the wheel. Have the music play softly so you won't get distracted.
Glance at the rear-view and side-view mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. Knowing what's going on around you can put you more at ease.
Don't let bad drivers get to you. If someone is tail gaiting you switch lanes and let them pass. Keeping other drivers happy will make you more happy thus more comfortable.
Drivers will honk at you from behind once in a while. The first time this happened to me, my instinct was to GO, and unfortunately, I did, and almost ran over a person that the honking driver behind me didn't see. So if someone honks at you, ignore it.
Same thing with passengers, never trust them. If they tell you "Its safe to go now," or something along those lines, check for yourself.
Your nervousness should stop though as you get more accustomed to driving. If you feel like your nervousness is taking over your ability to drive, pull over, turn off the car, and take a couple deep breaths to calm down.
~Maria, 16
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