Re: I'm scared of driving.

I HATE driving on most of the parkways because people drive SO FAST on them. I don't mind the LIE though...I guess because it's more lanes and no curvy roads.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

My mom had this fear when she drove. She never would drive on a parkway or wherever she didn't know.

Because of that when I took driving lessons I asked the instructor to take me on parkways immediately. He did and I didn't have that same problem.

So although you know how to drive maybe taking a course could help you overcome your fear of it? A good instructor can give you tools and habits to use so you feel confident and don't succumb to the anxiety.

Good luck.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I am a nervous driver too!
I hate highways- I'd rather stay on the service road.
I just don't like how other people drive- too fast, recklessly, selfishly.
I cringe everytime I get in the car.
I feel you!!

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Posted by AnaMaree77

If you're not comfortable merging into traffic and driving on highways, please please go out on the weekends and practice!! I've seen so many rear end accidents from people who are afraid to merge onto a highway and literally STOP trying to get in. That scares the heck out of me. I am not saying this in a mean way, for your safety and everyone around you, please go get some practice and get more comfortable with it.
It's so much easier to merge into traffic when you increase speed and can just move in without having to accelerate from a stopped position. You will get better with practice! Everything in life is a risk but practice and a defensive driving course will help a LOT!!

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Posted by Otherme

Posted by AnaMaree77

If you're not comfortable merging into traffic and driving on highways, please please go out on the weekends and practice!! I've seen so many rear end accidents from people who are afraid to merge onto a highway and literally STOP trying to get in. That scares the heck out of me. I am not saying this in a mean way, for your safety and everyone around you, please go get some practice and get more comfortable with it.
It's so much easier to merge into traffic when you increase speed and can just move in without having to accelerate from a stopped position. You will get better with practice! Everything in life is a risk but practice and a defensive driving course will help a LOT!!

I was trying to figure out a way to say this, when you wrote it much nicer than i would have come across

to all those people out there who are scared of driving.. please remember that your hesitation and nervousness can just as easily cause an accident as someone else's speed and recklessness. I hope that a skilled instructor could help ease your fears and as PP said.. practice makes perfect!

Re: I'm scared of driving.

what scares me is hearing all these people who are scared to be driving! i am not a nervous driver, i am a confident yet cautious and defensive driver.
i think if you are not comfortable driving and being a part of the driving community on the highway then you have 2 options:
1) dont drive
2) do something to become a better driver ie take a driving class

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I can relate.. while I don't mind driving or changing lanes, I cannot merge smoothly & I get really stressed about it when I'm trying to get onto a busy highway. I feel like I can't judge how quickly the cars are coming.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I don't like to drive unless I absolutely have to.

I get nervous that I'm going to crash the car somehow/someway.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

My mom is like this, and she doesn't drive on the parkway at all, ever.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Colleen

As some who has driven with you as a passenger, you are a great driver.

Second, I COMPLETELY understand how you feel. I can drive, I choose not to, because I have such anxiety about it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE promise me you won't let your fear overcome you like I have. I've lost a lot of my independence because of it. You don't want to lose the independence of driving, trust me.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

my MIL is like this and can not drive on highways if her life depended on it. she gets too nervous about other drivers.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

First I have to give you tremendous credit for actually driving on the road. I am the exact same way except I have never driven on the highways. I don't even want to think about it. It's so bad that when I'm in the car as a passenger I get nervous when the driver is merging or changing lanes.

I'm 29 without a license and as much as I want to be out on the road I am so petrified of driving I don't think I can bring myself to take the test. I took driving lessons from a driving school and when I refused to changes lanes because I was so scared my instructor told me I wasn't ready to drive. Needless to say I don't go there anymore and hope to find another driving school but I just hope I can have the courage to take the test and drive one day

Re: I'm scared of driving.

i never drive on the lie, afraid of the trucks. i force myself to drive on the parkways for a short distance though. i take the lie service road for work and it takes me an hour, but i am more comfortable that way.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I can relate to the situation of most of us here. In my case, doing a defensive driving course made me so much more confident on the road. Perhaps you could try one too. It can be done in classroom as well as online and just takes about 8 hours or so.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Posted by gina409

this is why i do not drive..i am a nervous passenger as well

i was in a bad accident years ago so i dont know if that made me scared but i do not drive at all now and have no desire to at all

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Posted by AnaMaree77

I'm so sorry you feel this way. I commute daily from LI to NJ and even before that, I used to drive back and forth to see my DH (not married at the time) so to say the least, I am on the road A LOT!! If you're not comfortable merging into traffic and driving on highways, please please go out on the weekends and practice!! I've seen so many rear end accidents from people who are afraid to merge onto a highway and literally STOP trying to get in. That scares the heck out of me. I am not saying this in a mean way, for your safety and everyone around you, please go get some practice and get more comfortable with it. It's so much easier to merge into traffic when you increase speed and can just move in without having to accelerate from a stopped position. You will get better with practice! Everything in life is a risk but practice and a defensive driving course will help a LOT!!

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Posted by J9-13

Posted by gina409

this is why i do not drive..i am a nervous passenger as well

i was in a bad accident years ago so i dont know if that made me scared but i do not drive at all now and have no desire to at all

This is me 100% I've had my license for 10 years and only drove a hand full of times. I have serious anxiety over driving and I am a VERY nervous passenger as well.

Message edited 3/1/2011 8:21:37 AM.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

What scares me about this is that so many people are claiming to be nervous drivers and may be causing some hazards on the road.

Please take a few courses and get some confidence so you are able to drive with confidence.

Driving too cautious can be a detriment on the road as well.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Ugh, I know how you feel. I haven't driven in over 2 years because of anxiety when driving. I am working on starting again but I am just so scared of crashing and killing my children.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I have lived in many different places in the country. I HATE the LIE more than any other place I have ever driven. I had a job that had me in the car 2-4 hours a day all over central Florida. Drove back and forth in between Wyoming, and Salt Lake City many times, with mountain passes, bad weather and tons of 18 wheelers. I just feel like here on Long Island people will run you off the road to get one car length ahead. There is not usually any common courtesy either, open lanes and no one will budge to let you in, staying so far up the bumper of the car in front, that you have no where to go. Nicolls Road on/off ramps are one of my biggest pet peeves! Can anyone explain how the heck that is a good design?

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I don't like driving anymore. used to LOVE it. but since moving to LI I hate it. I barely ever drive here. The other drivers are just too dangerous and aggresive. I will drive once in awhile and it is fine. I just don't enjoy it. I love when we go to maine and ohio and any other state we visit because I get to drive and enjoy it. lol.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

Re: I'm scared of driving.

I am as well especially after a van rammed into my small Civic and sent me flying across Woodhaven Blvd. I am terrified after that! I am so nervous because you never know when out of nowhere someone comes and hits you whether it's on the highway or the streets.

Message edited 3/1/2011 2:45:12 PM.