It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me, but today I put pen to paper to talk about something that comes up every single day. It’s becoming increasingly obvious to me that many learners are losing their confidence with decision-making in the latter journey of their hours. This pandemic, whilst it has been a painful and demoralising time in our lives, seems to have translated onto the roads with our young adults. The one question I hear every day is ‘it safe for me to go?’ They’re second-guessing themselves time and time again.
They’re second-guessing themselves.
That’s the $20 million dollar question! My personal belief; as I saw it with my youngest late last year, is the lack of driving between lockdowns has them second-guessing their decision-making ability. Don’t panic thinking this is going to be the way going forward; I can assure you it won’t.
How can I help them overcome this?
How many times have you been away on holidays, when you return you get back to the airport, hop in your car, and have to get your bearings for just a second or two? I know I have, particularly when I’ve been away for a couple of weeks. It’s the same for them, but you can help them overcome this with regular driving; even if it’s just down to the shops and back.
Support and constant reassurance.
There are going to be times when they breeze through the day and times when they’re just not feeling it and want that support and constant reassurance, and that’s ok. Even when they get their P’s that little niggle of anxiety can rear its ugly head from time to time. The most important thing you can do is not dismiss it and say you’ll be fine.
What else can I do?
I find what also works is to talk it out, reassure them that they’ve done the hours, had the professional lessons (like the segway?), and yes, you can drive, but if you’re not confident taking those gaps, don’t be afraid to pause. Or the other option is go out with them for a chilled drive and reassure them whilst on the road. Don’t throw your arms in the air and say what else can I do? Be there to listen, nurture, guide, and show them they can do it.
Our support isn’t working.
What I can tell you is there is nothing to be embarrassed about with having anxiety and losing your confidence on the road. In the last two years, I’ve seen a rather dramatic increase in drivers, aged from 19 to their 60’s lose the ability to trust themselves, so they’ve sought out professional assistance to reassure they are good drivers; just need some minor tweaking. So rather than say our support isn’t working and it’s just too hard, connect with a driver trainer for advice. We don’t bite.
Take care until next time…Sarah
