Have you ever driven with a driver who is clearly afraid? When you know the person operating the vehicle is anything less than confident, you may find yourself afraid as well. While this fear eventually passes for some, others are plagued by a fear of the road well beyond the duration of their early driving years.
Why is this significant?
Simply put, a scared driver is an unsafe driver. Many people have high anxiety when it comes to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and avoid certain driving situations or even stop driving all together. If this anxiety continues, the good news is that things can be done to overcome – or help other drivers overcome – a fear of driving!
How to Overcome the Anxiety of Driving
Don’t Drive Alone
Sometimes people simply feel more confident when another person is with them in the vehicle. Having a family member or friend talk through fears or even offer support and encouragement can help relieve pent-up anxiety.
Think Positive
Your mindset is key when you are about to get behind the wheel. Giving yourself positive affirmations and thoughts can help keep fear and scary thoughts out of your mind. Instead of worrying about the drive tomorrow, tell yourself you can do it!
Keep Driving Even, and Especially, After an Accident
If you have a poor experience behind the wheel, get back out there. Unless you are willing to resign yourself to alternative transportation forever, it’s very important to make sure that you have an up-to-date driver’s license and that you stay in practice.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Start by driving in an empty parking lot or on roads that have decreased amounts of traffic. The more you practice and continue to drive, start adding in more roadways and busier areas. Hopefully, you start to cope with the anxiety and driving will get easier.
Control Your Emotions
Not able to quiet your nerves? Don’t allow yourself to be distracted, find different ways to calm yourself down when you are behind the wheel. Things such as some old-fashioned relaxation techniques could be key during an anxiety attack.
Face Your Fears
If you do not face your fears, you will never overcome them. Accepting you have driving anxiety, but not letting it prevent you from getting behind the wheel is a great step to moving past it. By staying behind the wheel, the hope is that you become more comfortable with the more practice you get.
Seek Help
Overcoming driving anxiety can be extremely difficult to do by yourself. In extreme cases, the help of a medical professional is necessary. Mental health processionals will be able to provide a program that helps suit your needs.
The freedom granted by driving is a privilege and one that you should enjoy! Your confidence while driving is critical to the safety of everyone on the road.
Injured in a Car Accident?
The attorneys at Hupy and Abraham hope these tips for avoiding driving anxiety help when you are feeling anxious about being behind the wheel. But in the unfortunate event that you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, you should speak to an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. You can contact us online or call our office directly at 800-800-5678 to schedule your free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers.