driving fear

[Bo592]

My fear of driving come from pulling out of parking areas and in to traffic. I tried cures like playing video games like frogger and grand theft auto, to help me out. but they don`t seem to be working. I want to know how can you practice about estimating traffic and spotting the right mount of time you need. Is it a good Idea to practice on your own. My family ant going to help me until I try to drive they thank it going to be a wast of there time to help me so should I go alone and try to learn this on my own.

 

[Bo592]

Is really safe to learn How to drive alone? My SA get in the way alot and everybody thank I am a crazy person because I it a bad Idea to pratice on your own and drive without power steering. I been trying to get the nerva to go alone and pratice but with driving one mistake can mean your life. My fear of people is what keep me from trying I worried what they would thank about a man who can`t drive.

 

[maiato]

It depends of what u want to achives. If's parking, is normal. I know lots of people there are very good driving and awful to park! In this one u have lots of options....u can make the easiest way of parking (big places)...or go for a place and practice different levels till u get better!

About traffic...u should make it slow, starting for places where u feel comfortably enough and then moving to places, or hours, with more traffic!

 

[dark1979]

 

[Bo592]

It depends of what u want to achives. If's parking, is normal. I know lots of people there are very good driving and awful to park! In this one u have lots of options....u can make the easiest way of parking (big places)...or go for a place and practice different levels till u get better!

About traffic...u should make it slow, starting for places where u feel comfortably enough and then moving to places, or hours, with more traffic!

Thanks Man , does driving real make people feel free?

 

[MaliceInWickedland]

My fear of driving comes from my father's death in a car accident when I was 7. My mom taught me, or at least tried to teach me the basics of driving for the first time last Saturday morning. It went very well at first and I got the hang of mostly everything she showed me until the time came for me to try moving the car forward. My mom was telling me to "keep the steering wheel straight", which I did, and sort of panicked when the car started to angle to the left no matter how I held the steering wheel. I nearly had a panic attack.

I thought having my mom teach me was going to go well and help reduce my anxiety about driving but now it's only increased tenfold and I'm going to be starting driving classes soon. I'll never understand how people can get so cocky and excited when driving for the first time when it's so f****** terrifying. For me at least. Not looking forward to it at all.

 

[dazedgal]

Oh wow me too. I keep avoiding taking the first step to even take the written test since i am so flipping scared of driving. My mum is so annoyed coz she says im not normal i am supposed to be like every one else, so very excited... driving terrifies me. Just like how I feel people criticizing me while I'm walking, that's how I feel about driving. Also there are way too many cars. That's a stupid reason but then again I have SA, I get nervous around people whether they are in cars or not.

 

[jmroszczak]

I'm 27 and just now starting to "learn" to drive...its pathetic...I feel like i will never be able to drive. I know i need professional lessons but i am afraid i will just waste my moms money(she said she would pay for me to get them) I have always had a fear of driving just like many of my other fears. So far i have driven about 3 times. Twice was in actual traffic and i drove to the super market. I am horrible at turning and my brother on more than one occasion has said i almost killed us. I cant remember to signal when switching lanes and i just feel like over all i dont understand all the rules of driving. It sucks.

 

[ilovenoodles]

I fear driving in a car because i lack concentration. Atleast i got my lisence and maybe someday i will drive again.

 

[jmroszczak]

I fear driving in a car because i lack concentration. Atleast i got my lisence and maybe someday i will drive again.

I feel i lack concentration as well ::

 

[Invisibleman]

Ive actually been stressing over this for weeks now because im going to get a job soon and il have to drive by myself. I have a licence but im so scared to drive.

Just thinking about driving makes my heart pound and ive only driven once by myself and I had a panic attack and nearly killed myself (I hit the brake too hard and like 30 cars behind me all had to slam their brakes and I went through the red light just so I could get out of there).

But it sucks because it seems everybody around me can drive,even the ditziest blondes can.And of course im a teenager so kids my age like to laugh and make fun of me when its such a real fear.

 

[ChrystaR]

I was actually going to post a thread about this, but now I don't have to.

I am very afraid of driving. All the years I would have been getting used to the idea of driving and then practicing, I was secluded in my room.

My dad bugs me all the time about me not driving. I can do it well, but I don't feel comfortable at all. I can't imagine driving by myself. At least with someone else I can get positive affirmation on the things I am doing, or be told when I did something wrong. My dad taught me, but he makes me very nervous! I've driven on the main roads with lite traffic and did well. I practiced several times in a couple weeks and did well, but then I stopped and now when my dad asks if I will pull the car out of the driveway I won't even do that, because I don't feel prepared.

I sit in the car and it feels so foreign. I can't remember right away which is the gas and which is the brake. I feel like I am going to mess up, even if I never do. I don't feel comfortable, even though I can do it. I could probably go get my license, but I'm so afraid of driving with the instructor, plus I won't feel comfortable drivng alone, so I will never use it.

My dad doesn't understand why this is so hard for me. Although, he doesn't really understand any of my problems. He just harps on me because I don't have a job, and I can't drive. And awhile ago, we stopped insuring my car (that my dad bought me basically as motivation to get a license and job) because we can't afford it. So, now I can't even practice in the car I am most comfortable in, even if I wanted to.

Then, I feel bad about it too, because I want to be a productive adult, and I feel like I can't.

So, all in all, yes, I have a huge fear of driving!

And, I also feel a bit of lack of concentration, because I am so used to being the passenger and staring at the scenery. When I drive, I don't know where to fix my eyes, on the road directly in front of me, or do I look further ahead? Then my dad tells me I need to look around more. And that I should turn around in my seat when I reverse, but when I turn I can only see out of the side of my glasses and then I can't see anything. I am also constantly staring at the speedometer to make sure I am going the right speed. I don't know if I should constantly keep my foot on the gas or get to the speed limit, ease my foot off and put it back on the gas when I slow down. There are just so many things that worry me!

 

[Aussie_Lad]

And, I also feel a bit of lack of concentration, because I am so used to being the passenger and staring at the scenery. When I drive, I don't know where to fix my eyes, on the road directly in front of me, or do I look further ahead? Then my dad tells me I need to look around more. And that I should turn around in my seat when I reverse, but when I turn I can only see out of the side of my glasses and then I can't see anything. I am also constantly staring at the speedometer to make sure I am going the right speed. I don't know if I should constantly keep my foot on the gas or get to the speed limit, ease my foot off and put it back on the gas when I slow down. There are just so many things that worry me!

I'll help you with a few of those points.

When you drive you need to look as far ahead as possible so you are able to react to anything that happens several cars in front, you also need to keep the car in front in focus in case the driver slows down and you need to take action. When approaching intersections it can pay to look at the intersecting roads for any traffic that is coming from the side road. You also need to observe road signs as you drive.

Glancing at your speedo every so often isn't a problem, I do that quite regularly as I like travelling as fast as possible but don't want to be booked. Keep a steady pressure on the gas pedal when you reach the speed that you want. Anything else will cause a jerky motion which will be uncomfortable for both you and your passengers.

When I reverse, I mainly use the mirrors, only glancing back when I know there is a object or another car close behind. That way you can focus on the object alone rather than what is directly behind you. It is tricky sometimes but with practice it will become easier.

 

[Bo592]

I am having trouble giving myself permission to drive. I have a driver license and all. I just don`t feel like I have a right to be on the road. I been trying thing like fixing up the in side of my truck to help me cope with my anxiety. I been trying thing that smell good, pictures of beaches and stuff like that. I just trying to take it slow and relax more and trying to make the in side of my truck feel more like home, the only place I really do feel relax. Sometime I just go out and set in my truck and play video games just to help with the feeling, I am trying to get when I set in my truck. Being relax is important because that well help you focus more and that what really counts on the long run.

 

[Kinetik]

If you're this afraid of driving then I think you owe it to yourself and everyone else on the road to exhaust every option with regards to treating the root cause of your anxiety first. You have a responsibility towards others insofar as being confident and in a stable frame of mind when you get behind the wheel. Have you done everything you can to get to a better place psychologically?

 

[SM1010]

I drive every day, but I still have driving fears.

Mainly merging/driving on highways or interstates. I avoid them as much as I can. Also I hate driving places I've never been before.

 

[Necrucifer]

Im 23 but fear even considering driving...ive done it before illegally but out in the country but i tend to speed because I get nervous but i do know where the breaks are not stupid enough to not use those lol...Theres people who never have drove but they manage I might just not drive and just take taxis...or walk idk if I can do it but if u manage it good job and good luck though.

 

[razzle dazzle rose]

I wish I drove. And that I had a car. It would be freedom.

I know how to drive but it makes me so anxious to do it. I have taken lessons, and have even driven on my own. People drive too fast, and the lights at night distract me... I haven't gotten my license either, just so I can have an excuse to not do it. I've had about five permits...

Not driving is one of the things that gets me so down though.

It is my anxiety no doubt that prevents me from doing so. Once I get a handle on it, perhaps I can attempt to drive.

 

[Section_31]

im ok with driving. i love it, and do feel free. in fact i actually do most of my best thinking alone at night when im driving, just cruising around town, no real destination in mind. i do alot of my best problem solving then.

My wife, on the other hand, used to be an absolute nervous wreck behind the wheel. She's getting better now, but she hasnt driven in quite a long time. She wants to, and ill support her no matter what. Thing was she came from a small town, where rush hour consisted of 50 cars maybe and no lane changing.

She comes here, we have 4 lanes each way, and the amount of activity going on aroudn her used to really overwhelm her. Shes doing better now, and in a few yrs were going to buy her her first new car .

I think ill still do the majority of driving, but i can definately relate to how you guys feel.

 

[Bo592]

Today, I wanted to drive my bike to the park. But I could not because I was afraid of the two bussy intersection that I have to cross. No matter what I do thanking of traffic make me want to just stay in side my whole life. My fear of traffic has been my main cause to why I can`t get better with My SA.​

But, I know there is nothing I can do but just face it. This is my battle and I have to play the hand that I was dealt. My problem is that I think to much when I find I am not so aware of my actions I tend to do more.