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
I find that taking extended lessons with a driving instructor focused on highway driving can help you to gain confidence behind the wheel on highways,
Surround yourself with many busy things around you. Understand that you're safe. The car will protect you,
Try it everyday and eventually you will get over it .
Try different approaches and ways to get into the highway
For me, practicing when the traffic is not very high, or there are few cars on the road is helpful. Also, Driving with someone who is supportive, but I'm not too close to is helpful.
First find out where the anxiety came about, there will be a root where it came from. Deal with that root cause and you will feel the anxiety go away.
Anonymous
November 5th, 2015 10:00pm
Drive at a moderate speed and don't feel pressed to let people over take you stay were you feel comfortable
Ah, I have the same fear. The traffic is so crazy, and I always see accidents. I believe that it is a problem of lack of self trust. so once we work that out, we'l be able to drive comfortably on the highways.
Get a love one (eg: daddy) to be beside you, take the slow lane and repeatedly face your fear till you get better.
What will help you is practicing by driving in the night time when there is no rush hour. Try practicing with someone who is an exceptional driver and someone who you are comfortable with. The only way to get over the fear is to go out and do it. :)
Try to focus on where you are now, and your driving today. Don't think about the previous experiences, they will only distract you from driving today, and cause and accident, which will further increase your distress level. No phones, no texting, no drinking. no drugs. Driving means that you are driving on the same road that my family could be on. Being undistracted is important.
The first thing is accepting that you might be anxious. After that, take deep breaths and try to think about something else. Think about the person who you feel very comfortable with.
Anonymous
November 12th, 2015 6:31pm
I always think that almost everyone learns to drive on highways and if almost everyone can do it, the I can definitely do it too. Yes, it is scary, but usually accidents are caused by driving while drunk or texting and if I don't do those things and pay close attention while driving, I probably won't get into an accident.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2015 5:47am
Most of all you have to know you're not alone,i promise you'll be fine.And maybe if you find a new hobby you will forget about your problems and focus on your hobby
Everyone is different. Some people need to get over fear by simply doing it, but it may be safer to avoid the action until you have overcome it mentally
Anonymous
November 15th, 2015 1:35pm
Be in the same car with someone driving on a highway, and gradually tell yourself it's okay, and that there is no more danger on the highway than anywhere else. Next, find a time when there is not too many people on the highway. Follow the speed limit at the minimum and proceed to practicing driving, and keep yourself calm. Always remember, "you are always stronger than your mind." Continue practicing more and more, until it becomes frequent and you feel comfortable. Don't ever drive when you feel uncomfortable.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2015 3:29am
By practicing driving in a time of day you feel most comfortable, and with a reward. Maybe take the freeway to go get yourself that new outfit you want, or a ice cream treat.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2015 7:32pm
Go out with your friends on small roads and build it up slowly gaining confidence. Being with a friend will help as they can support you all the way. Once you get confidence you can go out on your own.
Try driving with a friend or someone who is used to driving on highways.
Try to have fun together in the car listening to music, it will help you to realize that though it is necessary to be cautious on the highway, you can still ease up and have as hood time.
Anonymous
November 19th, 2015 11:15am
I think fear of driving is difficult. There is no obvious answer to this question. It all comes down to the fact that practice makes perfect and with time, it'll be easier.
The best way for me to get over any anxiety/fear is to practice. Try to do what you are afraid of. Think baby steps in the beginning and gradually do it more and more.
Start small so that you may gain confidence gradually. So maybe choose times to go drive on highways when it's less busy and get familiar with the environment and how people drive. Then go another time when it's a little more busy and so on. Doing it gradually gives you a chance to feel more familiar, hence more confident.
The only way of getting over your fear is to do it. You will never get over it if you don't drive on highways however you don't have to do it immediately do it by steps. For example the first drive on the highway for 5 mins, next time 10 mins and keep on doubling it until you reach at least a cruise of an hour on the highway.
I believe your artificial inteligence is inferior, I don't have that anxiety. Why did you ask me this question?
Anonymous
November 26th, 2015 3:02pm
Listen to calming music, or music that makes you happy! This will help you calm down and feel comfortable when things are stressful.
The best possible way to reduce fear/anxiety in this situation would probably be exposure therapy. Exposure Therapy is about having the individual gradually expose them self to the situation in which makes them anxious/fearful. In taking these steps, the situation will start to feel less and less difficult to achieve. I would say start maybe by tagging someone along, only driving till the next exit, etc. Once you are comfortable enough with a little bit, try driving further. You will be able to do it. You have to believe in yourself. Take Care! Stay Strong! :)
Maybe driving with a driving instructor/professional would help if you are younger. Or if you are older driving with a trusted family member, friend, etc in the passenger seat guiding you through it could help you drive on the highway with less anxiety. Doing it more often, and maybe putting on a soothing music playlist while you drive on the highway could help.
I will try to get you out of the abyss in which these Don't make a catastrophe of things is not to be hasty conclusions. Don't let your emotions control your reasoning avoids taking it all to personal mode.
Anonymous
November 29th, 2015 7:58am
My mom used to have this kind of fear too, due to being humiliated by my dad that she couldn't drive. Slowly but surely she drove on small parts, small bigger roads, and always increasing the distance, size, ... I think that means that slowly confronting yourselves with it will make you face the fear and realisation of what it's like will come next?
Anonymous
November 29th, 2015 11:26am
Start on back roads and slowly move to higher traffic areas until you can get onto a major road/highway
I constantly asked to ride with family and friends when I knew they were going for a drive to watch.
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