Motorway driving/driving anxirty

[Hertfordshire_home]

Motorway driving is the easiest and safest of all the types you can do - don't stress!
One tip though is please please please don't be THAT person who just sits in lane 2 of a motorway, because that is 1) REALLY ANNOYING, and 2) more likely to lead to accidents as people get frustrated, have to pull out to overtake and in some instances undertake.
Just remember to stay at the speed limit (dont go too slow - again is more dangerous to crawl at 40mph) and indicate early and safely, giving your self plenty of time.

 

[KitcRed]

This thread hasn't been active for a year lol but I just have to share - I just drove on my own for the first time! I have a solo 1.5 hour journey coming up soon so finally plucked up the courage to go 5 minutes to my local supermarket on my own. Finally!!!

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I have to do my first long distance drive, including motorways and roads I’ve never driven on before this weekend and I’m absolutely terrified, like waking up in the middle of the night having a panic attack terrified. does anyone have any tips on how to tackle it alone? I have no one to come with me, I’d feel so much more comfortable if I had someone in the car with me.
context: Passed my test 2.5 years ago and only driven on motorway once for 10 minutes.

Urgh I can’t edit the title but you get the gist

Do you have a proper sat nav like a Tom tom (not the map thing on the iPhone!)
If you don’t have a proper one, get one, it will help to reassure you that you are going the right way and it prompts you to get ready to take the next exit or whatever and it will warn you if there’s a closed road ahead etc

Other than that, give yourself plenty of time so you can take it at your own pace, look up the route so you have a rough idea of where you are going and if you can, plan out a few rest stops at service stations or whatever so that you break the journey into chunks so you can focus on a stage at a time rather than having to think of the entire journey at once.

then just try to relax - you will be absolutely fine!

 

[PinkMariner]

thank you all! i do need to get a proper sat nav bcus my car is about 12 years old and not up to date with all the techy stuff now. unfortunately not really in a financial position to buy one i've studied the route a lot and it has made me feel a little better. i'll be driving to yorkshire from the west midlands and nervous about the M1 splitting off into another motorway so i know im going to have to make a lane change

i'm probably overthinking it, i generally love driving and dont get anxious unless it's an entirely new place, which i suppose is a normal feeling

Google Maps or I-Maps is perfectly fine - get a cheap holder for your phone and put that on your dash

 

[PinkMariner]

I passed my test 3 years ago and pretty much threw myself into any journey - I did Hull to Glasgow 6 weeks after passing!
Then, and still now, I study the route meticulously online. I zoom right in to junctions so I know which lane I need to be in.
Driving to London recently, a road was closed and I had to pull in to the services and go through the new route on my phone to be sure I knew what I was doing. It really helps me feel less anxious.

 

[Welshgal]

Hey, so when I first got my licsense I was terrified of motorways but within my first week of driving I missed my turn and had to go on the motorway in the dark. I was terrified. However, I soon noticed that driving on the motorway is probably the easiest as everyone is going in the same direction and you don't have to worry about intersections, bikes, pedestrians or anything like that.
Stay in one lane as much as possible if you don't feel comfortable switching lanes but do try to go the recommnded speed (slow drivers can be just as dangerous to others as fast drivers!). Have a look online for the exact route you will take that way you will know in advance if there are any tricky crossings etc and also know where to stop. Even if you miss a turn or similar don't freak out - your sat nav will still find a way to get you to your destination. Remember to relax, perhaps listen to some music? My instructor noticed straight away I was a better driver when I was ever so slightly "distracted" as I wasn't over thinking everything.
And don't be afraid to take plenty of breaks! Driving for a longer distance can be quite exhausting!
You got this xx

 

[at-the-disco]

so strange looking back on this thread of how anxious i was!

i have drove on the motorway about 4-5 times now alone and felt absolutely fine, still a bit nerve wracking but nothing as bad as before. it doesn't even bother me driving on new roads to new places now after living in a busy city for over a year. think the best thing i did was throwing myself in the deep end!

 

[under the ivy]

I’m backwards and forwards on the M62 and M1 and I genuinely find it less stressful than non motorway driving

 

[BettyCrockerr]

There was a suggestion earlier in this thread about driving at night or setting off really early. That is a good idea as it is much quieter. However the only thing i would say about that is that a lot of roadworks happen at night which may mean that stretches of the motorway are closed or a slip road that you need to use may be closed and you could be diverted a different way.

Also driving at night means driving in the dark - which may add another level of concern ontop of driving on the motorway itself

 

[PinkMariner]

I’ve just came off the worst driving lesson I’ve ever had, cried my eyes out (proper ugly crying, couldn’t speak) .. he was alright the first 3/4 lessons actually was quite calm & reasonable/understanding but the last 2 I’ve had (last one was mid December before he broke up for xmas, and had one today) he’s literally speaking to me like crap, sighing & making little remarks despite the fact I did mention I am VERY nervous & have extreme anxiety. I took 40mg propranolol for anxiety before my lesson to calm me & I actually felt good, despite not being on the road for about 4/5 weeks I genuinely thought I was doing well.

but apparently I’m crap & I’m doing absolutely everything wrong in my power, just one of 70 things he picked at me about was that I didn’t pull out infront of a massive lorry when I could of.. imagine if I’d stalled though? Like I get what he’s saying I could of but I didn’t want to - i felt safer to wait then go once the lorry had.
Long story short I feel so sh*t now, embarrassed & everything cos I hate crying infront of anyone (even my mum.) but today, I couldn’t help but to. I’m shy at the best of times & I don’t like to kind of ‘hit back’ at him or say something so I’m just like ‘okay’ ‘sorry’.. am I being stupid here?

I’m also over paying him, he states his lessons are £27 I give him £30 (20 note & 10 note) & he never gives me the change back. I duno if I’m being petty here. Sorry for jumping on here randomly but I have no pals, I’ve cried to my mum as I walked in with mascara all over my face & a bubbling mess. Just really needed to vent x

Change Instructor - Do it NOW! He is at fault, not you.
Getting the right instructor is absolutely crucial in learning to drive. Do not waste any time or money on this clown.
Sending lots of love, no one should make you feel like that. xxxxx

 

[Delia Smith]

I suffer with driving anxiety too. Hate motorways and the pressure to drive at speed and switch lanes constantly. However many people find them easy compared to regular roads.
I’d echo @Slothgang and do the drive mega early. Crack of dawn and get it out of the way. Also zooming in on google maps at tricky junctions first does help too!

 

[Slothgang]

I suffer really badly from driving anxiety so I know your pain! Is it possible for you to get up really early like 4am and drive down when the roads will be really quiet?

 

[WilmaHun]

I used to be like this, the thought of driving anywhere I was unfamiliar with would make me so anxious. Honestly, the only way to get over the fear is to crack on and do it. I spent so long avoiding it, that it just made my anxiety worse and worse. When I finally tackled a lone drive somewhere unfamiliar all by myself I felt so silly for getting worked up and wondered what all the fuss was about!

As others have said, a sat nav will be a life saver. They give you so many useful alerts. Study the route beforehand so you know what to expect roughly. Maybe even get to know where there's services or whatever in case you feel like you just need a little 5 minute break. Leave with plenty of time so you're not feeling panicked about getting there by a certain time, stick to the speed limit (don't go too far under as it will irritate other drivers!) and just try not to overthink it! (easier said than done, I know!)

Good luck - I'm sure by the end of it you'll feel like you've really accomplished something!

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I passed my test 3 years ago and pretty much threw myself into any journey - I did Hull to Glasgow 6 weeks after passing!
Then, and still now, I study the route meticulously online. I zoom right in to junctions so I know which lane I need to be in.
Driving to London recently, a road was closed and I had to pull in to the services and go through the new route on my phone to be sure I knew what I was doing. It really helps me feel less anxious.

This is where a proper sat nav really comes into its own as it will warn of the road closure and automatically re-route you to keep you on track

 

[wordzalad]

Please change instructor! I promise it is not you, he sounds like teaching people is the wrong job for him and he’s not being encouraging or supportive. Not many people learn through being spoken to badly.

With the right person they’ll correct you in a way that isn’t just berating you. You will see the difference with the right instructor

 

[WilmaHun]

i dont even know, i feel ridiculous cus my dad said i drove perfectly and did nothing wrong. the big lorries terrify me, the other cars merging on if i just stick in the left lane. i just dont think i have enough experience with it so if i keep trying i should feel more comfortable i hope

Honestly, as hard and scary as it is to do, you just need to keep going with it. I found the only way to help me get over my anxiety was to push through it and gain experience. With experience that anxiety will slowly but surely ease and you'll realise all the things you were worried about aren't actually that scary! I promise the more you do it the more comfortable you'll feel

 

[Secretadmirer]

Well done! Half the journey is more than none and practice makes perfect

 

[at-the-disco]

What is it particularly that is making you uncomfortable? A motorway is just a road - perhaps slightly busier at times but no more than that. What is it you find challenging about changing lanes?

i dont even know, i feel ridiculous cus my dad said i drove perfectly and did nothing wrong. the big lorries terrify me, the other cars merging on if i just stick in the left lane. i just dont think i have enough experience with it so if i keep trying i should feel more comfortable i hope

 

[ScrambledBegs]

Experience is key! Try it again but pick a time when it's not as busy if possible?

If your dad said you drove perfectly then you did. If my dad though I wasn't a capable driver he would take away my keys.

So glad I found this thread as this is me, I’ve had my licence years and never done the motorway. Fair play for you for doing it as I know it takes a lot . It’s the speed and changing lanes I hate

So glad I found this thread as this is me, I’ve had my licence years and never done the motorway. Fair play for you for doing it as I know it takes a lot . It’s the speed and changing lanes I hate

Sorry replied to wrong person Was happy to find thread lol

 

[at-the-disco]

i think i've kind of worked out what makes me so anxious
i've just got back from another motorway practice drive and i felt absolutely fine at first, it wasn't too busy and i merged on without issue.

as i was going along i started feeling a bit trapped. the familiar heart racing started and my breathing caught and i just felt completely claustrophobic. i cant just pull over if i start feeling like that because we're going 60-70mph with no side roads etc to pull down.

i think to combat that i shall just know that there's a junction every few miles, and if worst comes to worst i can just drive the road way the rest of the way there. i'm still determined to do it and i feel a little better now