Is anxiety stopping you from driving?

Anxiety is increasingly becoming associated with driving these days. With road rage rife on our roads, drivers being impatient to get from A to B, patience levels have dropped significantly.  This is just one aspect that stops people learning to drive or leaving the safety of their suburb.  It this you? It doesn’t have to be.  Whilst anxiety amongst the population is increasing due to pressures of study, work commitments and time constraints, this in turn creeps into our driving habits.  If you think you are alone, you are not.  There are plenty of people similar to you.

Have you noticed changes on the roads?

Next time you’re stopping at the lights, look at the people in the cars beside you.  Are they focused on where they’re going, or are they looking down at their phones? It can also be said that with increased road traffic in recent years and the lack of road infrastructure keeping up to date – despite freeway upgrades, it is taking us longer to get to our destinations, which increases people’s anxieties, which manifests as road rage.

What are your key triggers?

• People tailgating you?
• Being sandwiched between two trucks on major freeways like the Monash?
• People staring at you whilst you’re sitting in traffic?
• Scared to pull out of side streets in case cars are going too fast?
• Hoping cars won’t veer into you when on the road?

How can I manage my anxiety on the road?

If your anxiety is stopping you from driving, then call us. At Drive Skills 4 Life we’re all about helping you get that anxiety under control.  It would be lovely to think we can get rid of it completely, but that is not always possible.  Management is the key! We do this is by offering a supportive, nurturing and above all, a non-judgemental environment, with myself, a patient female instructor.  How often have people said to you it’s all in your head?  I know I used to get told that in years gone by.  Well we won’t! Having the right team behind you to tell you it’s real is what you want and need.  So don’t keep putting off that dreaded phone call.  Make contact today and start your journey to independence!

Until next time,  Sarah