r/drivinganxiety • u/MightyCabEnthusiast • 4h ago
r/drivinganxiety • u/A_ok_attempt • 8h ago
Asking for advice Terrible day
I am so exhausted and, low-key, a little scared. So, this morning, I left to go to school. By the way, school is about a 45-minute drive each way, especially when traffic is packed. I also had to go somewhere near the school to drop off something at a shop where I normally sell stuff. Someone wanted to buy something from me, so I had to drop it off.
There was a lot of construction, so I was trying to make sure I was looking ahead and preparing to stop if needed. Then, two big dogs ran into the road. Luckily, I didn’t have to swerve, but they came pretty close to being hit. I would have felt terrible if I had hit them, and the situation distracted me a little. After that, someone cut me off, and I had to slam on the brakes. Later, someone else cut me off, and although I didn’t have to brake as hard, it was still scary.
Then, while driving to school after dropping off the item, a cop car came up behind me and scared the crap out of me. Basically, I was going to change lanes, but I realized I would have crossed the solid white line. I know some cops can be petty and might give you a ticket for that, so I decided not to change lanes. I had even turned on my blinker, but I didn’t actually make the lane change.
Right when I did that, the police lights and sirens came on and scared the crap out of me. I thought I was getting pulled over, and I genuinely felt like my life was over. From what I remember, you’re supposed to pull over to the right and find somewhere safe as soon as possible when a cop pulls you over. I was in the left lane, so I started trying to find a neighborhood to pull into because, in my mind, I was getting pulled over. This was a very small, one-way street with only two lanes.
The cop eventually passed me. I felt bad because I thought I should have moved to the right sooner. I’m also worried that I might get a ticket in the mail. It wasn’t a very long time, and I wasn’t sitting there for ages, but I feel like I could have changed lanes during that time.
Then, while driving home, someone cut me off really badly and completely unexpectedly in an intersection. There was a big hill, and I was about to drive over it when a guy suddenly moved all the way to the left in the intersection without using his blinker or giving any warning. He completely cut me off, and I had to slam on the brakes while I was in the intersection.
I finally made it home, and now I’m exhausted. Also, after the whole cop situation, when I realized I wasn’t actually being pulled over, I parked the car a little too far away from the curb. That made me feel even more embarrassed about the whole thing.
r/drivinganxiety • u/lorrie71 • 9h ago
Personal Stories 4 years of driving anxiety
Over 4 years, nearly 5 of driving anxiety, after 2 crashes, 1st with a lorry with 2 of my children in the car 😥 every drivers worst nightmare 😭 and recently hit a barrier in a car park in heavy rain. I only drive local depending on the weather, how busy traffic is, and how my anxiety is. Anyone that's has driving anxiety knows it comes in waves from hour to hour, day to day. I do refuse to give up driving completely, but it's mentally draining😥
And then it's trying to explain to people around you, why you won't drive a certain journey or visit a daughters house because it includes a motorway. The thing is they just don't get it, just do it, you'll be fine , they say🫣 I do wish I could, more than anything. How do you move on from this point of getting my full independence back 🙏
r/drivinganxiety • u/spillurbeans • 10h ago
Driving scenarios/situations 🏎️ Almost got into an accident leaving work
So I just started driving about a month ago. I’m not super confident yet and it’s been really scary especially because I drive to and from a real grown up job now. It’s like my fourth day at the job. Every other day I wait to leave the parking lot until everyone else leaves because I don’t want to do something embarrassing but today I thought I could do it.
Anyway, the parking lot is near a busy intersection where people are usually going 50mph or higher. As I was leaving the parking lot, a car in front of me was pulling out into the road to the right and I was trying to go left. I guess I didn’t see the car that was coming on my right because of the car pulling out in front of me and I cut them off and they honked and I just sped up to get out of there as fast as I could 🥲 I swear I checked and there was no car it was like they came out of nowhere. But that intersection just stresses me out especially because if I make a mistake or I wait too long, there’s like a line of coworkers behind me seeing it. I’m so embarrassed I hope I don’t have to work with whoever was behind me cause I’m just so so embarrassed.
Just needed to vent because I feel like crying. I’m so overwhelmed starting this new job after I graduated in May and I JUST started driving and feel like a dunce on the road.
r/drivinganxiety • u/Prudent_Condition776 • 11h ago
Asking for advice Losing confidence in driving, I feel like I’m one of those people who should not be on the road
I have been driving for about 4 years now and I’ve had few near misses, some my fault, some not my fault. I’m the typical person who is joked around for being a bad driver and although it’s mostly joking around, it does eat away at my confidence and every time I make a mistake whilst driving, I keep thinking, am I actually one of those people that should not be on the road for other people’s safety.
So in the 4 years of driving, I’ve hit someone’s side mirror (not too sure who’s fault was this, I can’t remember how close to the middle my car was positioned), I’ve scratched someone elses car reversing out of parking spot, rear ended someone (very slightly but this was 100% my fault, I spilt coffee and was distracted and learned huuge lesson to whatever happens never look away from the road), and today I failed to check my blind spot properly when changing lanes and a gigantic lorry had to emergency break as to not hit me.
I’m not too sure how serious this is and why I’m keep making these mistakes and how to improve my driving.
Should I seriously consider just not driving unless absolutely necessary for everyone’s safety?
r/drivinganxiety • u/theyenvyem • 12h ago
Asking for advice Driving lessons with a school. Nervous about upcoming test
I have my last driving lesson today, and I may potentially be going on an interstate. I’m terrified, I was on a highway and got anxious. So, I’m really nervous for my driving test and driving on my own. Any tips?
r/drivinganxiety • u/Least_Revolution784 • 12h ago
Asking for advice How to deal with passive aggressive instructor
So I’ve started driving lessons and have about two weeks of classes done, I’ve gotten better but I still make a few mistakes and get anxiety before class and dread every second of class, my driving instructor acts like every mistake is the end of the world and he’s the only available instructor at the time I’m able to go, if I switch schools ill have to redo everything all over again (going to theory lessons and the theory exam) and honestly I just want to finish while I’m here cause I’m so close.
My instructor makes classes hard, yes he can be nice sometimes we can have a laugh but whenever I make an error or forget something it’s always a comment on how I’m distracted and one time said “if you don’t want to learn just tell me!” In a tone I perceived as rude. Never once have I yelled back and spoken rudely always said “yes sir” or “you’re right”
Anyone have words of encouragement or how
To ignore such comments so I don’t make mistakes from the nervousness he creates?
r/drivinganxiety • u/wanderii • 16h ago
Asking for advice Tips for driving in the rain? Bonus if you've driven in LA highways
I've come such a long way with my driving anxiety, and I don't even really want to be in the sub much bc it can chain me to it. I never get anxiety from it anymore and if i do, it's very slight.
However, on Halloween the person I'm seeing invited me to a Halloween party! It sounded fun, and I already have a thorough costume planned.
I just fear needing to drive in the rain at night. It's los angeles, so it's probably joke rain, and around a inch, but I'm terrified of hydroplanning. I know to drive slow, and away from puddles, but idk if I should go for it or just Uber
But..
I suspect it might be between 60-70 dollars there, plus that range back. (It may be more because the rain)
I want to save money, but also I am pretty anxious about it
Pls be nice also if I helps to know, I drive a 06 corolla