It’s easy to understand how a major car accident would cause someone to fear driving, but most driving phobia have nothing to do with accidents. 

Here is a list of the top 5 driving fears:

1. Past negative experiences
   Car accidents are the most common negative driving experience; and can be the most horrific, but there are others. Driving through a bad storm, being a victim of road rage, getting lost, or having a panic attack can all be traumatic.  You may replay the experience in your mind and worry it will happen again. The repetitive thoughts and fears may then cause the person to avoid driving, only making the anxiety worse.

2. Driving outside of one’s comfort zone… alone
   For some driving phobics, driving to a familiar location is no big deal.  But give them directions to a new location, near or far, and their anxiety goes through the sunroof. 

 

What if I get lost? What if my car runs out of gas? What if my cell phone gets no reception?  What if I can’t find a parking spot?

 

It is not just the fear that something bad will happen, it is the fear that something bad will happen in an unfamiliar place, far from home, and no know will be there to help. 

3. Fear of having symptoms of anxiety and being trapped

Being stuck in traffic is an irritant no one likes, but if you have a fear of panic attacks traffic can be a terrifying experience. People with a history of panic attacks tend to avoid situations where they can’t get out quickly, including freeways and left turn lanes.  

 

“What if I’m stuck traffic and have a panic attack!”

 

Anxiety targets certain organs in the body. While some may experience racing heart and difficulty breathing, others experience diarrhea, lightheadedness or nausea.  The mere thought of having these symptoms and being stuck in traffic, results in more anxiety and more avoidance.

4. Fear of going too fast and losing control

Feeling the wrath of other drivers for going too slow on the highway, there is pressure to accelerate, but your mind and body won’t let you. Clinching the steering wheel for dear life, your heart races and your body sweats.  

 

The out of control physical symptoms of anxiety make it impossible to trust yourself to drive safely.

 

The fear of losing control and swerving into another lane is enough to make you drive on surface streets even if takes longer to arrive at your destination.  

5. Fear of Fatalities

The basis of all anxiety is an exaggeration of danger and an underestimation of one’s ability.  Fearful drivers might not trust their own ability or lack faith in other’s.  Either way, they imagine the worst repeatedly.  The active imagination of the driving phobic can result in the most gruesome car crashes… in their mind.   You don’t have to be a victim of a previous car accident to imagine being in one. 

 

Getting Past the Anxiety 

Conquering the fear of driving IS possible but it usually requires help.  The gold standard for treatment of any anxiety disorder is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

 

The first step is to identify your specific fear from the list above then write down all the reasons why you want to conquer the fear. 

 

What has this fear cost you? What have you missed out on? How has it affected you and what will be better when you don’t suffer with driving anxiety? Overcoming any fear means you must face it, which requires a great deal of motivation.  Why is it so important that you put in the effort?

A Cognitive Behavioral Therapist will help you deal with the thoughts that are causing your physical symptoms and teach you skills to relax your body and quiet your mind. Exposure Therapy is the only way to beat driving anxiety. In Exposure Therapy you learn how to face your fears. Understanding the proper mindset to face your fear of driving is the key ingredient to overcoming this phobia.

Fear of driving affects all aspects of one’s life, from personal to professional.  Overcoming this type of anxiety with the help of an anxiety specialist, will take work and bravery, but it’s well worth, it in the end!