Fear of driving
I'm terrified of driving out onto the streets. I'm afraid that I would make a bad mistake that I would regret. I tend to zone out often and get overwhelmed easily, and I fear that that would happen to mewhile I'm driving.
The first time I drove, I wasn't too terrifiedalthough I was a little nervous that I would crash into something. At that time, I was only making circles around my parking lot at a slow speed, not enough to be frightening. I have a similar fear when I am biking. I'm scared of biking to places (unless I'm in a large,open area with little to no cars around), because I'm afraid that I would crash or fall.
My fears have gotten to the point where I am in college and still do not have a driver'slicense. Did anyone have a similar fear and was able to overcome it? If so, how? Thanks in advance.
I did! I lived in big cities and didn't learn to drive until I was 30...i didn't think I ever would. I practiced a lot on Sunday mornings. And listened to Car Talk... Took on little challenges. You can get tips on driving in traffic. I also gave myself permission to stop (safely) or not to turn until I found a protected turn or arrow. Having nice places to go was motivating too. Haven't gotten the nerve up to drive in Manhattan but I have in other major American cities, including LA, Philadelphia, and Chicago. My first city was San Francisco! You can do it! You can!
Re zoning...I have inattentive ADD...so I have to be vigilant and get enough sleep too
I'll take your ideas into account, thanks GentleMom!And wow, driving in SF can definitely be pretty hectic.
Especially when you're stopped at a light on a steep Hill! Had to learn how not to roll backward when I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green.
That's why I usually just takeBART and walkthe rest of the way. It's much less scarier (and easier to find parking)!
oh SF is tricky -- I recommend getting some lessons or taking a class to help you maneuver around cable cars and BART trains above ground etc. it's not you--it really is challenging. Also I got a lot out of the book the Zen of Driving and now There are multiple books and blogs and posts with that title and wonderful suggestions. there are lots of nuances to SF driving but you can do it. have a great driver friend make sure your mirrors and seat are in the best place for maximum visibility. and give yourself big props for even tiny trips. I learned in Santa Rosa...in the FLAT part in 1989 when it was smaller. I practiced early Sunday morning in residential areas. I would break for sticks and shadows. go challenge by challenge. e.g., early Sunday morning in the south or east bay...early Sunday on a highway. make a list in challenge order up to...? bay bridge at rush hour in the rain? I am your huge cheerleader (hm, maybe I put that wrong...a short big fan of yours.) feel free to PM me any time. I have been in your...sweaty nervous driving shoes...and now have driven 1800 mile solo trips, in Chicago at rush hour, PA turnpike in a post midnight thunderstorm. and am still here. you could also make it a game...get x point per 15 mins of driving, 2x for a bridge, 2x for a highway, x extra for night and rush hour and give yourself a reward for...10,?50, 100 x... you can do it! oh, I was also severely nearsighted. and really short. have fixed half of that LOL. make sure your glasses are good
I actually got my license at...36, I think.
@iloverunning I used to be terrified of driving as well! I had a lot of anxiety every time I got behind the wheel. The way I overcame it was just more practice. I suggest trying to practice driving at times and places where there are less cars around, and gradually work your way up to more difficult situations! It may take time, but you can do it :) good luck!
Im 25 and I still dont have my liscence Ive praticed a tiny bit when my mom is here. but with how short i am...its hard to find someone, let alone a car that i can see over the dashboard to pratice in.
Hi from another short person! There are lots of articles on the web re which cars to get if you are short and how to further modify them. (Check Car and Driver Magazine's website and AAA).Pedal adapters can be added, as well as things to make your seat higher; I had a friend who was maybe 4' 4" and had some work on her car to make it easier to drive.
I learned to drive in a Corolla but it's in my Honda Odyssey minivan that I've really felt comfortable, able to see really well in traffic. When I rent cars, I always check to make sure I've got a car with good visibility. Good luck!
thanks! still trying to find a car to practice in with someone, cant afford a car yet.
I'm petrified of driving. I have had a license for 4 years but I hardly go anywhere in my car. Just to work and few other familiar places. I tried all sorts of things to help myself (cbt, special driving lessons) but with little improvement. I am now on medication for generalized anxiety and that seems to help with the fear of driving but I am still quite avoidant of it. :(
what helped me...wanting to go somewhere more than I was afraid to drive. Having the desire to get someplace be greater than my fear...a specific place. and willingness to drive at off hours or on streets not highways and only turn on where I felt safe and going to a parking lot of a store and resting there midway to shake out my nerves.
and thinking about the people I knew who drove even though they had mental or physical disabilities or were over 85 or weren't smart or were usually timid about other things. and I respected how long it took to become comfortable.