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Driving in Different Areas Anxiety

User Profile: PressUps3001
PressUps3001 March 11th, 2025

I find that every time I drive anywhere unfamiliar, I always have other drivers tooting their horns at me as I am having to think where I am going. It makes me feel anxious as I hate upsetting other people. I only drive for convenience and not because I like it. I don't look forward to trips in different areas as I know I will mess it up and ruin the day. It's getting me down.

2
User Profile: SilentSerenityy
SilentSerenityy March 15th, 2025

@PressUps3001

I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing anxiety from driving.☹️ It's pretty common to experience driving anxiety in unfamiliar areas and everyone makes mistakes! As long as you're driving safely, then try to ignore anyone who is beeping you - a lot of the time it's because they're impatient and not for a genuine reason anyway. 

Maybe if you know you're going to be driving somewhere new, you could have a look on google maps to visualise the drive and be familiar with the route and any signs you can see? That way, you could feel in more control and prepared for the journey ahead. Do you think that could help? 

User Profile: PressUps3001
PressUps3001 OP March 16th, 2025

Hello. Thank you for your comments.


Yes, I do think that looking at maps beforehand could help. It is also beneficial to take short trips at first to unfamiliar areas, but that can be difficult as I am the main driver these days.


When I was learning to drive I took my test several times as I was nervous of people in the car with me, except my driving instructor, who was an excellent teacher and very supportive.