How can I get over my anxiety or fear of driving on highways?
158 Answers
Last Updated: 01/25/2021 at 8:06pm
★ This question about Anxiety was starred by a moderator on 5/12/2016.
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Alex DS Ellis, MA, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Feeling depressed or anxious can be so overwhelming. I want to help you feel better and be able to enjoy life. You are not alone and you deserve emotional support.
Top Rated Answers
Start small drive closer to highway traffic each day a little bit at a time. Then you will notice that it gets easier for you and there will be less anxiety each time.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2015 9:34pm
Maybe try to get driving lessons. I don't think we have highways in Ireland to be honest with you.
Try to drive first on the country roads and slowly try the highways. Once you start slowly working your way into the highway.
Driving on highways can be really challenging at times! It is a phase everyone with a driving license goes through. The best way to combat with your nervousness is: first, exercise your driving skills well on roads with little or no traffic. My dad first practiced driving in a city with very low traffic. Gradually he became so confident that now he drives well even in hill stations!
So, make sure you are confident about driving on normal roads before meeting the highways. Happy driving!
Anonymous
September 3rd, 2015 6:24pm
Talk to somebody you trust and who is a good driver and ask him or her to practice with you. Try to pick a time of the day when there's no rush hour so that you don't feel that stressed while driving. If you don't feel comfortable, you don't have to go that fast and you've got somebody next to you to reassure you.
If you still don't feel comfortable while doing so, consult with a local driving school - many of them have special refresher courses.
In any case, take it slow and don't stress yourself!
Anonymous
September 13th, 2015 2:20am
Well, I think it can be very helpful to try and understand why you have a fear of driving on highways. Have you lost someone in a road accident? Are they too noisy? Too busy? If you know the root of the anxiety it is often a lot easier to treat.
Anonymous
September 19th, 2015 3:44am
Why do you fear driving ?
Do you have license ?
Drive as you drive in normal road with same speed on one side.
Anonymous
September 19th, 2015 6:41pm
Maybe you could start by driving as a passenger with someone who you really trust. You could do short practice sessions, where you dont drive yourself. Don't be to hard on yourself when it doesn't work in the beginning. Getting over anxiety is tough, but often not impossible.
The most you can do is practice. Practice, practice, practice. And once YOU feel comfortable, test yourself, push yourself that extra mile, and make sure there is someone else with you who will be ready to drive at any time you feel anxious, and wish to reside driving.
practice, practice, and more practice! practicing in good driving conditions is important also minimizing distractions!
There's a good way and bad way to do this. I sorta got pushed into the more anxiety provoking lane growing up, because although I had never driven in a city at that point my parents signed me up for a driving coarse. At the time I was a complete mess, I got panic attacks every time someone passed me on the road or when I had to make a left turn on a light. But soon enough after many gruelling hours of driving in cities, and practically crying every time I did it, the thought of driving seemed a little less frightening. From personal experience I know the feelings of anxiety won't go away automatically so try and take little steps forward. Don't do what I had to and enrol in a official driving coarse, but try driving around the block one day. Then the next day drive to you're neighbours house, then to the grocery store. Once you become used to the little amount of anxiety that comes along with driving, it doesn't seem as terrifying.
When you can do is practice. Practice makes perfect. When you do things that reach outside of your comfort zone the best thing to do is accept those chances.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2015 2:00am
Start by gradual exposure, start by going on a busier road and gradually build up experience and confidence to conquer those highways!
Baby steps. Start by riding in a car on a road, then try driving it there. Then move to the highway as a passenger, and finally try driving on a highway yourself. It would most likely be best to have a passenger with you for support when you drive yourself while you are still anxious about the situation.
In my experience, the best way to get over fear is to face it. You should face your anxieties or worries and show your anxiety that you are in charge and anxiety is not.
You can take deep breaths before driving. Go to a doctor and they can prescribe medication to control your anxiety.
I used to be terrified of driving on highways. I found that just getting more experienced driving in general, and on the highway, really helped me overcome this fear. If you don't yet feel completely comfortable city driving, you should get more comfortable and experienced there first. Then, slowly move towards highways. I think it helps to have an experienced driver in the passenger seat as well. Choose someone who you know will be supportive, and give you as much positive feedback as possible. Don't be afraid to go a little under the speed limit at first. Just let everyone else pass you as they wish. Keep at it, and you should start to feel more confident on the highway in no time!
What helped me was to start out driving alone during times when it wasn't crowded with the lunch rush or after work traffic.
Anonymous
October 24th, 2015 9:10pm
Breathing is important and knowing your surroundings. Staying calm and paying lots of attention to everything around you. Knowing that you can only control you and not everyone else.
Perhaps you could try takimg someone who you trust their driving skills with you til you become comfortable, and start off on smaller/slower roads and work your way up to highways.
That's something that you can of just have to work through, drive on the highways when there aren't lots of people on it and then slowly and gradually driving on it while there is more people driving on it.
I control my speed in average speed and feel that I'm a master in driving. Highway is very easy because it is a straight street.
You can get over your anxiety or fear of driving on highways by riding on highways to go places fun, and by going on non-busy days. Never go on rush hour. Also, take a close friend along with you, listen to the music loud, and have a great time!
Anonymous
October 28th, 2015 3:37am
literally same.
Anonymous
October 28th, 2015 3:15pm
A realistic driving simulator can help: http://drivingfearhelp.com/virtual-reality-and-the-treatment-of-driving-phobia-part-2/ There are other resources online, such as http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/ask-expert/how-can-i-overcome-my-fear-driving-highways-and-bridges
And, of course, learning to cope with anxiety in general would help, and 7 Cups has a great self-help guide and other resources just for that purpose: http://www.7cups.com/anxiety-help/
Fear of driving is very common in teens and young adults who have gotten their license or experienced a event that involved a car. I have personally not heard of a way to get rid of fear of driving, but as long as you go out there alert, aware, and careful, you should be fine on your end. Make sure your car is in tip top shape so nothing goes wrong and ALWAYS keep an eye out on other vehicles.
first take a deep breathe before driving remain positive with the thought that you were trained to drive and you know what you are doing. you can also contact a phobia doctor for help
Anonymous
October 29th, 2015 1:24pm
Evidentually, having a lot of practice will help in the confidence of driving on highways, Having a passenger in the car who is close to you or that you trust could help you get through the drive.
You can get over your anxiety or fear of driving on highways by slowing starting to drive on small roads like a neighborhood subdivision. Then maybe country roads and small country highways. And then work up to freeways?
Anonymous
October 30th, 2015 11:21pm
Keep practicing as much as you can with someone next to you or let the other person person drive until you feel comfortable to do so. Sometimes it can be really hard if you don't often drive on highways but if you frequently do it your brain may eventually get used to it.
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