motorway phobia

[andrew kelfo]

I have a fear of motorway driving. I have tried hypnotherapy but it made no distance. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you combat it

[snapdharlich]

After I passed my test, I was so scared of driving. It only got better the more I drove. It's not the quick fix you want, but it's the only way. Practise.

[WendyS]

Is it the speed at which traffic moves or the sheer volume of it which is unnerving you?  If you're a relatively new driver, it might be worth hiring a driving instructor for one lesson to accompany you and give you some useful hints.    A busy motorway with lots of heavy goods traffic and lorries can feel quite intimidating at first but start off in the slow lane, don't allow yourself to feel pressurised and gradually build up your confidence. The person who taught me to drive encouraged me to  give a running commentary of  the road conditions out loud as I was driving along,  how I was reacting to them and preparing to deal with any anticipated incidents which might be building up ahead.  Looking back I realise what a helpful technique this was because being on top of your situation helps build your confidence.    Just keep a good safe distance from the car in front and drive within your own safe speed comfort zone. Always keep an eye in your rear view and wing mirrors and be aware of the "safe" spaces around you in other traffic lanes so that you have somewhere to go if a sudden accident builds up around you.   With practice you'll overcome your fears and not feel so intimadated. .

[mfewell]

What is it specifically you fear ? Take comfort anyway, it is very easy to avoid motorways, and planning a long journey on minor roads is fun and more scenic. It's not a hard problem to live with.

[spudqueen]

Try driving down a motorway on a Saturday night (not evening), it'll be really quiet and may help you. The best time to drive on a motorway though is on Christmas Day, hardly anyone about. Try a few times when it's quiet and gradually move up to busier times of the day. DON'T let this motorway thing rule your life - because it will. It will mean getting up earlier to travel somewhere, or even setting off a day early. You'll spend ages pouring over maps and find yourself lost in loads of different town centres, all because you couldn't overcome this.

The other way of course is to take some motorway driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor, and YES, they do do them!

[Pythia]

What cured me of my fear was really wanting and needing to get to x and having no other way but to brave the m-way. Like being thrown in the deep end - before that I was petrified. My tips -

Plan your journey thoroughly, and maybe have someone to navigate, or write out the route in big letters

Travel at a quiet time if possible and give yourself time. Don't be intimidated, drive gently in the slow lane at traffic speed.

Do a short trip first and build up slowly on your successes

Do the running commentary that WendyS suggests, and in between say to yourself, aloud, "I can do this" over and over.

Honestly, it worked for me - now I do four-hour m-way trips and it's no biggie. Good luck to you.