Driving is something that has become second nature to most people. They don’t think twice about climbing behind the wheel of their car and driving to wherever it is they need to go.
But there are also a lot of people out there who have a fear of driving. They struggle mightily when it comes to taking control of a car and driving it around.
There are many reasons for this. About one-third of people who are involved in car accidents that send them to the hospital end up being terrified of driving. Some people are also scared of driving after seeing a loved one get into a car crash.
Whatever the reason, you shouldn’t let a fear of driving keep you off the road forever. By taking the right steps, you can overcome your fear and hit the highway without worrying about a thing.
Here are some of the ways to overcome being scared of driving.
Try to Figure Out Why You Have a Fear of Driving
Having a fear of driving is a whole lot more common than you might think. There are millions of other people out there who are just like you and can’t stomach the idea of driving a car out on the road.
But as we alluded to earlier, not everyone suffers from a fear of driving for the same reason. People are scared to drive for a number of different reasons these days.
Do you fear driving because:
- You’ve been involved in a bad accident before?
- You suffer from panic attacks and worry about having one while driving?
- You have nightmares about getting into car accidents?
- You’re concerned about your ability to drive a car?
It’s going to be difficult to overcome your fear if you don’t have any idea what’s causing it. You should, therefore, spend some time trying to figure out where your fear comes from. It’ll go a long way towards helping you overcome it.
Speak With a Therapist About Your Fear
Whether you’re able to pinpoint the source of your fear of driving or not, the next step you should take when trying to get back out on the road is sitting down with a therapist to get professional help.
A therapist can talk to you about your driving anxiety and nail down exactly where that fear stems from. They can also use what’s called cognitive behavioral therapy to help you manage your fear.
CBT will help you get a grip on how you think about driving. It’ll also arm you with the tools that you’ll need to overcome your fear once and for all.
Consider Taking a Driving Class
After spending at least a few weeks speaking with a therapist, you might start to regain some of your confidence when it comes to driving. You might even be excited about getting out on the road.
Before you do, though, it’s not a bad idea to sign yourself up for a driving class. No matter how experienced a driver you are, a driving class can come in handy for those who are trying to figure out how to get confidence in driving.
You’ll be able to learn how to handle yourself out on the road again. This will make any remaining fear that you might have melt away.
Ease Your Way Out Onto the Road
When you’re trying to overcome a fear of driving, you don’t want to go from 0 to 100—literally or figuratively. You want to ease your way out onto the road one step at a time.
At first, you should practice driving in parking lots and on side streets. From there, you can start driving on main roads and small highways. And once you’ve mastered that, you can get back out onto busy highways with no fear at all.
Take things as slowly as you can to avoid overwhelming your senses when you’re out on the road. You’ll see and feel a natural progression as you work your way back behind the wheel.
Continue to Speak With a Professional About Your Fear
Your fear of driving isn’t just going to go away overnight. You’re going to need to keep chipping away at it over time.
If you still feel fearful of driving once you get back out onto the road, it’s smart to continue seeing a therapist. They can help you address the most current fears you’re having and show you how to get over the roadblocks you encounter.
Be Proactive About Staying Safe While Driving
It’s not the worst thing in the world for everyone to have a tiny sliver of fear with regard to driving. Driving is, after all, an inherently dangerous act that includes some element of risk.
But that shouldn’t keep you stuck in the backseat for the rest of your life. Instead, it should motivate you to be proactive about staying safe while you drive.
You should wear your seatbelt at all times. You should also practice defensive driving techniques to limit your chances of getting into an accident.
You don’t need to allow a fear of driving to cripple you. You can actually use it to stay more alert while you drive. It’ll help turn a bad thing into something that could potentially help you avoid getting into an accident.
You Don’t Have to Let a Fear of Driving Slow Your Life Down
Do you suffer from a fear of driving? If so, you know first-hand how frustrating it can be. Even if you want to drive, your brain won’t let you do it in peace.
Stop suffering in silence and do something about your driving anxiety. By following the steps laid out here, you can overcome the fear that you’re feeling and turn yourself into a more confident driver overall.
You can also keep yourself safer by consuming as many car safety tips as you possibly can. Browse through the articles on our blog to find out the different ways you can stay safe while out on the road.