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How to get that confidence back?
Couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a panic attack because a car was trailing behind me on my bumper for like 6-7 miles. I ended up getting real nervous again the next week. I'm still driving but have noticed that I drive differently. Instead of being aggressive and confident, I drive very carefully and very protective, like I don't trust anyone.
I know you need to be an observant driver, but I use to be so confident now I just get nervous. Today was actually an improvement for me, but how can I keep making strides?
I know you need to be an observant driver, but I use to be so confident now I just get nervous. Today was actually an improvement for me, but how can I keep making strides?
You don't say how old you are, so I don't know how much driving experience you have. I've been driving for 45 years and it's the tailgaiters that really fry my bacon!
There was a time when I'd do REALLY, REALLY stupid and dangerous things like slam my brakes or speed up when they tried to pass. It's a wonder and a Godsend that I didn't kill anybody. Or get myself shot!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a confindant driver, but that can also lead to a bad thing which is the OVER confindent driver. Finding the balance will come with experience, but it's something you should be aware of now.
Being an agressive driver is fine if you're running the Indy 500, but it's NOT OK in the real world. That kind of irresponsible driving leads to tragedy far too often. I don't know where you live, but here in Washington state, we can get stopped and given a HUGE ticket if the officer says we were driving aggressively.
You DO want to be confident out there as UNDER confident people can do some pretty stupid things. So the goal is to find that perfect balance between confident and defensive. The confident driver will know how to react in a defensive situation. Never assume you're the best driver on the road, (even tho we all do) because well all make mistakes and mistakes on the hiways can kill.
If you find yourself getting angry at another driver, take that as a huge red flag to adjust YOUR attitude and become even more defensive,
That person who was following you too close for 7 miles caused you to have a panic attack by "pushing" you acting aggressive. If that ever happens again, the best and the safest thing to do is get the hell out of his way. Pull onto a side street, exit the freeway, change lanes if possible, or put your turn signal on and at the next widest spot on the road, pull over and let him pass. Do whatever it takes to get him off your butt. By staying in front of him like you did probably just made him angrier and the risk is that he could have become dangerously aggressive. Trust me, in these situations, it's far better to let him "win" then lose your life.
There are also plenty of people out there who are simply stupid and follow too close because they're morons. Either way, get away from them as fast and safely as you can.
You keep making strides by being the best, safest, confident, defensive, courteous and aware driver at all times. One really needs to have a bit of the Boy Scout in them while driving..........BE PREPARED.
And NO cell phones, iPODS, Pea-PODS........whatever! NEVER. There is nothing your friend could tell you that's worth your life or the life of someone else.
I've been writing as if you were a younger person, but if you happen to be an older person who is losing some confidence due to diminished eyesight, slower reaction times or just not feeling comfortable at the speed limits, there are many classes available through AARP and most senior centers to "refresh" the skills of folks who may have been driving for 60+ years. It may take only a few times out with an instructor to get that confidence back.
And that old, old adage is still the best advice today. "WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER GUY!"
There was a time when I'd do REALLY, REALLY stupid and dangerous things like slam my brakes or speed up when they tried to pass. It's a wonder and a Godsend that I didn't kill anybody. Or get myself shot!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a confindant driver, but that can also lead to a bad thing which is the OVER confindent driver. Finding the balance will come with experience, but it's something you should be aware of now.
Being an agressive driver is fine if you're running the Indy 500, but it's NOT OK in the real world. That kind of irresponsible driving leads to tragedy far too often. I don't know where you live, but here in Washington state, we can get stopped and given a HUGE ticket if the officer says we were driving aggressively.
You DO want to be confident out there as UNDER confident people can do some pretty stupid things. So the goal is to find that perfect balance between confident and defensive. The confident driver will know how to react in a defensive situation. Never assume you're the best driver on the road, (even tho we all do) because well all make mistakes and mistakes on the hiways can kill.
If you find yourself getting angry at another driver, take that as a huge red flag to adjust YOUR attitude and become even more defensive,
That person who was following you too close for 7 miles caused you to have a panic attack by "pushing" you acting aggressive. If that ever happens again, the best and the safest thing to do is get the hell out of his way. Pull onto a side street, exit the freeway, change lanes if possible, or put your turn signal on and at the next widest spot on the road, pull over and let him pass. Do whatever it takes to get him off your butt. By staying in front of him like you did probably just made him angrier and the risk is that he could have become dangerously aggressive. Trust me, in these situations, it's far better to let him "win" then lose your life.
There are also plenty of people out there who are simply stupid and follow too close because they're morons. Either way, get away from them as fast and safely as you can.
You keep making strides by being the best, safest, confident, defensive, courteous and aware driver at all times. One really needs to have a bit of the Boy Scout in them while driving..........BE PREPARED.
And NO cell phones, iPODS, Pea-PODS........whatever! NEVER. There is nothing your friend could tell you that's worth your life or the life of someone else.
I've been writing as if you were a younger person, but if you happen to be an older person who is losing some confidence due to diminished eyesight, slower reaction times or just not feeling comfortable at the speed limits, there are many classes available through AARP and most senior centers to "refresh" the skills of folks who may have been driving for 60+ years. It may take only a few times out with an instructor to get that confidence back.
And that old, old adage is still the best advice today. "WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER GUY!"
Hi.....Often with anxiety we relate it to one particular thing and for you it's being in the car. You know you're a good driver and have total control over how YOU drive...but it's the moron that tail gates that worries you. You have a choice here as well, put on your turn signal and change lanes or pull over so this person can go on. It's not worth continuing to drive with someone on your bumper and having it upset you. There will always be people like this on the road, so you have to do whatever makes you feel better. It's good to be aware of what's going on around you while driving but not to the point of it making you so nervous. Keep reminding yourself of what a good driver you are, and just get out of situations that make you nervous. You don't want to be an aggressive driver but a confident one. Don't let that person who tail gated you continue to make you their victim, hanging on to that moment is affecting you while they haven't given it another thought! Decide today that YOU are in control and will drive as well as always. I hope this helps, and wish you all the best.
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