Driving...

Why are you so afraid of driving? Don't you want to be an independent adult and be able to get to your work without having to rely on someone else driving you?

 

Driving honestly isn't that bad. It becomes second nature at some point, and you get over those fears once you realize how much more freedom you have now that you can drive on your own. Trust me, it's worth.

 

I'm currently learning to drive, and while it's hard, it's nice to feel the improvement that comes with time. Having a good teacher definitely helps, but ultimately you just have to do your best with what you have. Take it little steps at a time and practice in less populated areas if you can Good luck @Laserdragon14 !!

 

Ugh, I feel your pain so much...
I'm really scared of driving because I don't want to get into an accident. I have anxiety, so that probably doesn't make things any better.
But at the same time I do want to drive, because I can imagine myself driving around in a Volkswagen Kombi, one of.my favourite cars ever.
Why does driving have to be so terrifying
Anyway I hope your able to figure things out!

 

I've been driving for nearly 5 years now and have never once felt like I might get into an accident. Trust me, you're blowing that fear way out of proportion. First time freeway CAN be a bit jarring, but you quickly get used to the speed.

 

I have a phobia of driving but that's mostly because most people around here are really shitty drivers and it's not really motivating to want to drive when you see people make idiotic mistakes on the road all the time.

I even witnessed a crash first-hand last Thursday and that left me shook for a while.

I do think your comfort level when driving depends a lot on where you live. I live in a very touristy/busy area so you can guess driving is risky here by default but oh well.

 

This is true, your first time on an interstate or major road will be different, but in many ways its easier. The lanes are wider, the turns are gentler, the speed is less precise, and many parts of the day there's less traffic. I have a few recommendations of things to keep in mind in general:

1: Learn right of way, and when you have the right of way over someone, actually move and use it because everyone around you is expecting you to, and if you're trying to be polite or nervous you can cause annoyances or problems.
2: Be aware that most people know what they're doing. Maybe they're too comfortable and sloppy, but they know what they're doing. Also be aware that they might not, but they probably are someone who drives 6 days per week.
3: Find out how you drive comfortably (one handed or two? Music, news, silence?) and drive like that, as well as adjusting the seat and every mirror to your preference. You're the most important person in the vehicle, it should suit you.
4: Know where your hazard flashers and interior light switch are. When you eventually get pulled over for something a long, long time from now, turn both of those on when you pull over, in addition to the usual things like turning off your engine and keeping your hands visible on the wheel.

Overall, it's going to get very easy very fast, more quickly than writing or walking or typing and just as natural.

 

!. Assume that everyone on the road except yourself is a moron.
2. Pay attention to the road.

 

I was afraid of driving when I was younger too. I'm generally a lot more cautious as a person so the simple idea of getting on bigger roads an potentially making a mistake really frightened me. However, I went to a driving school run by police officers and they told me everything I needed to get behind the wheel. Like with everything though, practice makes perfect. I only got over my fears by facing them and conquering them. I started slow with a simple school parking lot on the weekends, minor roads, then country roads (which got me use to running at high speeds), before I graduated to the Freeway. Its terrifying I know, but the only way you will be able to drive is to face your fears, and honestly you should be more afraid of big city driving than freeway driving.

 

I've been driving since I was 16...so for 7 years.

California drivers are some of the most aggressive in the country, but in big cities where traffic is absolute murder...you almost have to be. Here's some tips I learned.

1. It's going to take some time to adjust behind the wheel. The biggest rule I learned while my parents taught me; listen to their advice...chances are they know what they're talking about.
2. Start by going to a vacant parking lot and getting the hang of turning, accelerating, stopping, etc. Take it up a notch by going on standard streets and then you can go on highways.
3. Be free of all distractions. Texting is a big no-no (and illegal), keep music to a tolerable level (not blasting out the windows) and try to avoid conversations until you're more comfortable. I've seen an accident happen because the driver and a passenger were too busy talking.
4. While most cars nowadays have backup cameras and blindspot sensors, drive as if they are not there...as you may have to drive a car that does not have either of those or they can malfunction. My car has both of those, but I still check over the shoulder when lane changing or backing up so I don't break into that habit. They are to augment your awareness, not replace them.
   
5. If you know where you're going, it is best that you get into the lane you need to turn/exit as soon as possible. If it gets too tight, don't fret! Remember it's better to have to turn later or do a U-around than risk damaging yourself, your car or others'.
6. Be careful and obey all the mandates whenever you have to drive through work areas. It is a serious fine if you hit a worker/damage property. You can even have your license revoked...just follow the limitations and take your time.

Here's also another little highway tip that I tell new drivers in the USA.


If you need to get off a certain exit for example: this one towards highway 135 South, you will take exit 16A. The sign for said exit is at the top left...therefore, your exit will be on the left side of the highway.


Here you can see exit 127 to Interstate highway 35 or state highway 50. Since it is on the right side of the sign, your respective exit will be on the highway's right side.

 

I'm only 15, so I don't take my driver's test for another year. What makes it somewhat worse is that I was moved ahead a grade, so everyone else in my class is 16. So everyone's talking about getting their permit and I'm just sitting there looking at the clock like "331 days, five hours, 26 minutes, and 52 seconds..."

 

Learning how to drive can be hard and stressful sometimes. The driving itself isn't too bad, I actually really enjoy driving, I just have a hard time driving when an adult who has been driving for years is in the passenger seat. My advice is to stay calm and be confident in yourself. Especially If you have parents who get stressed when somebody younger is driving (my mom is a major worryer when it comes to one of her kids driving. She panics about every little thing, which just stresses out the kid that's driving. It's exhausting). Listen to your parents advice and teachings, but keep calm...actually, just for driving in general I think that keeping calm is the best thing you can do. Even if the conditions aren't perfect, or something bad is happening, if you're calm you'll have more control.

 

I don't know if I'm ever going to drive. I'm scared of it because I know that I'm horrible with directions and common sense, and am likely to get into an accident.
Most people took drivers ed freshman year but I haven't taken it yet and probably won't all through college (still got a little ways to go before I'm headed there but still)

 

Ah, I can relate to that. Driving can be pretty darn stressful, especially when you're still learning. I don't think that stress ever fully goes away, but with enough experience, you'll feel a lot more comfortable behind the wheel.

Good luck!

 

I am old enough to have a learner's permit or a driver's license, but I am intentionally putting it off as long as possible. Since I am the oldest of six kids, if I can drive, it means the added taxi driving my siblings wherever my parents ask will outweigh the freedom achieved through driving.