While driving has become an everyday part of our lives, that doesn't make it any less dangerous. Driving anxiety is incredibly common. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Zebra found that 66% of American drivers experience this fear.
People react to this anxiety differently, which affects their driving. Some drivers become far too cautious and drive dangerously slow. Other drivers get angry and act aggressively toward the cars around them. Both of these reactions put you at a high risk of getting into a bad car wreck.
Here is a guide on how to get over driving anxiety and be safe and calm on the road.
Prepare for Your Trip
One of the most effective ways to eliminate anxiety while driving is to get prepared before you even start the car. When you know what to expect, your mind has less reason to panic.
1. Study Safe Driving Habits
Reviewing basic traffic laws and defensive driving skills is a great way to build your confidence. You will feel much better when you know how to react to sudden stops or bad weather. Constantly refreshing your mind helps build your confidence in how to not be nervous when driving in unexpected situations.
Do you want a refresher on your state's driving laws? Take a look at our permit practice tests!
2. Plan Your Route Ahead of Time
Before you leave your house, map out exactly where you need to go. Use a GPS app on your phone or car screen to guide you. If you know your turns and exits ahead of time, you will not have to make sudden, stressful choices.
If you ever feel lost or overwhelmed, pull over into a safe parking lot to check your map and catch your breath.
Practical Strategies for Your Daily Drive
Try these tips for anxious or new drivers to keep your mind focused and calm while the car is moving:
3. Start in Quiet and Safe Areas
Do not force yourself to drive in heavy rain or rush hour traffic right away. Make sure you feel comfortable and safe. Drive during the daytime when the sun is out and pick low-traffic streets with slow speed limits. Once you feel confident in these easy areas, you can slowly start driving on slightly busier roads.
4. Put Away Your Phone and Distractions
Looking at your phone or dealing with loud noises and other distractions in the car is dangerous. Teach yourself and your family to put phones away. If you have teenage drivers in your home, it's important to set strict rules to ensure their safety.
Related: Teen Driver Safety Tips for Back-to-School Month
5. Use Simple Calming Tricks
If you find yourself becoming short of breath or tensing up, practice simple calming techniques. Take deep, slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Turn on some relaxing music at a low volume. Some people even like to keep a nice-smelling air freshener in the car to help them relax.
6. Practice as Much as You Can
Avoiding the driver's seat will only make your fear grow stronger. The best way to beat your fear is to face it often. Practice driving a little bit every single day. Take short trips to the grocery store or a nearby park. The more time you spend safely behind the wheel, the more your brain learns that driving is a normal activity.
Advanced Tips for Busy Roads
Eventually, you will need to drive on busier and higher-speed roads. Having anxiety while driving on highways is very common because of the high speeds and large trucks.
7. Follow the Rules to Build Trust
When you follow the speed limit, use your turn signals, and leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead, you protect yourself. Following the rules of the road gives you a safety cushion.
If the person in front of you slams on their brakes, you will have plenty of time to stop. Knowing you have that extra space is a great way to ease anxiety about driving on fast roads.
8. Let Your Car Protect You
Many newer cars have built-in safety tools to help you drive. Features like backup cameras, blind-spot warnings, and automatic emergency braking are there to protect you.
Trust these tools to give you an extra set of eyes. They will alert you if a car is hiding in your blind spot, making highway lane changes much less scary.
Take Back Control of Your Life
Overcoming a deep fear of driving takes time and effort, but you absolutely can do it. Many people develop these fears after surviving a bad car wreck. The trauma of a crash leaves lasting mental scars alongside physical pain.
At DM Injury Law, we know exactly how devastating a car crash can be. If you were hurt in a wreck, you should not have to carry the burden alone. Whether you need to know what to do if you were hit by a teen driver or an adult, our team is here for you.
Turn to us if you've been injured in a car accident in the Midwest. We have secured over $1 billion for our clients. Contact our expert attorneys:
- Kansas City car accident lawyer
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We offer free consultations to help you understand your options, and you pay no fee unless we win your case. Contact us online today or call us at 816-888-7500 for your free consultation. Remember, Mike's Got This!
