Even if you know how to drive, you might be nervous about driving in a new city, or during rush hour traffic, or in bad weather. If this describes you, don’t worry! You aren’t alone and there are plenty of ways to prepare yourself mentally and physically to handle whatever comes your way. These six driving tips will help you stay calm no matter what your situation.
Driving can be a stressful experience, especially if you don’t feel like you have much control over your vehicle or the surrounding traffic. Nervous drivers tend to be prone to speeding and having too much focus on oncoming traffic or traffic lights rather than the road ahead, which makes it even more difficult to focus on driving safely. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to calm your nerves before you get behind the wheel, as well as various tricks and tips that will help make you feel more in control of your vehicle and your surroundings during your next drive.
Take your time
Slow down, watch the road and take your time. The more you drive, the better you will get at it. One great way to make yourself feel calm is to focus on your breathing: try counting to five each time you exhale, then continue with 10 breaths or until you are feeling calmer. You can also use a mantra, such as I am safe or I am in control. With practice, these mantras may help keep you focused and calm. If there’s anything that makes you nervous about driving – perhaps heavy traffic – find an alternate route where there is less traffic congestion. Take a few deep breaths before getting behind the wheel again; this might be enough to help remove any anxiety before you start driving again. Also, if you’re not sure how well you’re doing, stop periodically and ask people around you if they think you’re doing okay. And don’t forget to smile! It may sound silly but smiling (even if it feels fake) can make us feel happier while we are driving.
Know where you are going
To put your mind at ease, prepare a step-by-step plan to avoid any surprises. Include landmarks and road signs. If you’re not sure where to go, pull over in a safe place, such as a well-lit gas station or parking lot. Remember to always follow the speed limit! It can also help to break the trip into manageable parts and allow you time to regain your composure. Once you get on the highway, find an exit to take and then head back on. You might even stop by a restaurant or coffee shop before continuing on. Stay calm: Focus on keeping your hands steady on the wheel and driving with confidence; don’t grip the steering wheel too tightly or let it wander from side to side. Take deep breaths if necessary; keep an eye out for traffic lights; and remember that no one is following too closely behind you – they will slow down if needed so just focus on driving forward safely!
Slow down at each junction
Driving is a unique skill that requires patience and concentration to master. And being in heavy traffic, near collisions, or seeing someone swerve in front of you can be really nerve-wracking! But there are some things you can do to make driving less stressful:
- Slow down at each junction so you don’t feel rushed. Use your turn signal to indicate when you plan on turning as this will reduce accidents and help other drivers to anticipate your actions.
- Try not to stare at other vehicles as they drive past, it might make you tense up when they get too close or swerve erratically towards the opposite lane. 3. If you’re feeling stressed, pull over and stop somewhere safe until your nerves settle down. 4. Check your tyre pressure regularly – if they’re low it’ll affect how much grip the tyres have which can lead to dangerous situations like skidding around corners or being more likely to lose control when making sudden manoeuvres. 5. Keep an eye on all mirrors before changing lanes or stopping abruptly; that way, if anything does happen behind you, you’ll be able to react quicker than if you were distracted by looking out of the window 6. If nothing else works, try practicing driving with someone who has had lots of experience – hopefully their skills will rub off on you and provide a much needed confidence boost!
Keep a safe distance
People drive differently, so there is no one method that will work for everyone. What may work well for someone else may not work as well for you, which is why we want to help you find a driving technique that best fits your needs. The first thing to do is be aware of what triggers your anxiety. Is it not being able to see the car in front of you? Driving on a narrow or winding road? Putting other cars around you at risk because of speeding? These are all great areas to focus on when practicing and trying new driving techniques so that you can slowly push your limits and take on new challenges as they come up.
You also want to practice using the brake and clutch separately until they become natural actions. Once you have mastered this skill, try having one foot on the gas pedal and one foot on the clutch while going down a hill or turning sharply. If this feels like too much, put both feet on the pedals instead of just one. Again, don’t push yourself if it doesn’t feel right! Trust your gut!
Drive with confidence
Nervous drivers make up a large percentage of the population. It’s understandable to feel apprehensive about driving, because it takes practice to get used to the experience. One of the most important things you can do to drive with confidence is practice. Try taking side roads that are unfamiliar and spend some time in an empty parking lot practicing brake control, parallel parking, and making three-point turns. Take your time and be sure not to rush so you can safely navigate your way through tricky maneuvers. The more familiar you are with driving before getting on the open road, the better! When you’re behind the wheel of a car, it may seem like every object around you moves too quickly. But remember, everything will move at the same speed as your car if you keep going at the same speed. Don’t worry about all those obstacles out there; just focus on what’s happening right in front of you and keep going forward – trust me when I say that eventually those other cars will stop coming towards you!
Conclusion
Here are the seven key points to remember if you’re a nervous driver: – Anticipate. Prepare yourself by anticipating what might happen on the road in advance. – Relax and be kind to yourself. It’s easier said than done, but taking a deep breath and focusing on being calm can help with your nerves on the road. – Speak up when you feel scared or intimidated by another driver’s behavior. Doing so can get an offending driver off the road. – Accept that some people will still try to bully and intimidate you on the road, no matter how good of a driver you are–but there is always something you can do about it! read more for these type of blogs.
