Afraid to drive. For most novice motorists, fear quickly passes. But for many people, driving is a big emotional issue. Is it worth it to give up the dream of becoming a driver because of fear? We will talk about how to stop being afraid to drive.
Causes of fear
The causes of fear are varied. Consider what “terrible pictures” the brain of a person who is afraid to drive draws:
- A car is a means of increased danger. Mistakes made while driving a machine are fraught with serious consequences. Well, if you can manage. What if a serious catastrophe occurs through my fault, resulting in the death of people?
- Traffic in major cities is becoming more intense. Traffic accidents happen every minute. In many accidents, people die, completely innocent of the fact that a disaster occurred. What if I am the victim of such an accident?
- The fear of driving doubles when there are people in the car, especially children. The fear of harming someone can paralyze the will. Constant thoughts about this can make you completely abandon the idea of learning to drive a car. What if people get hurt or die through my fault?
- Mercantile people have a fear of being held liable for violations of traffic rules. Maybe it's easier to ride a trolleybus than to pay a huge fine?
The human mind is designed in such a way that the fears that arise are either dispelled or intensified, turning into phobias. It all depends on the predisposition of a particular person and the circumstances. If the first attempts were successful, then the fears pass quickly. However, if the "first driving steps" are difficult, problems may arise. Constant failures and criticism cause a person to firmly believe that driving is not an occupation for him.
How to overcome fear?
It is better to solve the problem in stages.
Step 1. Decide!
First of all, clearly decide whether you need to become a driver? Did you make a decision based on your own desire, or did you go to a driving school because "everyone drives"? Think about it, if the process of driving does not give pleasure, but, on the contrary, only depresses, maybe you should not torture yourself? Answering the questions, conditionally spread out all the advantages and disadvantages on the bowls of "virtual" scales. What will be the priority for you? If you think that there are incomparably more advantages, this is already half the victory over fear. As the investigators would say, you have a motive, a weighty argument to fight the fear of driving.
Step 2. Who said fear is bad?
Only an idiot is not afraid of anything! This statement is true in all areas of life. It's normal to be afraid of the unknown. With the realization of this truth, you need to start thinking about the fear that has arisen.
It is important to understand that there is nothing wrong with being afraid to drive. Do not confuse the concepts of "cowardice" and "caution". In your case, it is clearly about caution. Practice shows that people who are overly self-confident drown in water. Those who cannot swim will not swim to the depths. The questions are the same.
Step 3: Cultivate Self-Confidence
So, we have decided, there is no fear, there are fears. Move on. We cultivate self-confidence. To do something well, you need to be a professional. Driving a car is no exception. The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more confident you feel. Like in the army. The recruit is afraid to shoot from a machine gun. Several months of intense training, and the weapon is part of the fighter's body! It's the same with a car. You will learn to “feel” and drive as if it were not controlled by your hands and feet, but by the power of your mind. With a little practice, you and your car will become one.
Step 4. Learn to celebrate small victories
After graduating from a driving school, do not rush to immediately go to busy highways. Get used to the car. Learn to think and act on your own, without the help of a driving instructor. Start by driving on quiet roads. Train the questions of maneuvering, stopping, some other moments that were hard for you in a driving school. Bring each element to perfection. Don't give up if things don't work out. Feel free to learn. Ask a more experienced friend to help you. Gradually move from easy to more difficult maneuvers. From country roads, drive onto roads with more heavy traffic. There is confidence - move on.
Step 5. Don't let confidence turn into recklessness.
When practical skills and driving skills increase, fear will gradually disappear. This is where the reverse and very dangerous process can come. Fear of driving can turn into recklessness. Such a road, unfortunately, does not forgive. The result is road transport. Drive your vehicle confidently but carefully. "Golden mean" - the key to peace of mind on the road.
Conclusion
The ancients said that the most difficult thing is to conquer oneself. The car has long been an integral part of the life of a modern person. Of course, there are risks associated with the car. But the danger is nothing compared to the benefits that the ability to drive a car brings. What could be more enjoyable than speeding down the freeway to the sound of your favorite music? For the sake of these sensations, it is worth overcoming any fear!
Perhaps you have successfully solved for yourself the problem of fear of driving in some interesting and non-standard way? Share your experience with our readers in the comments. Any information would be very helpful.