Fears Behind the Wheel
There’s something about me that is a little known fact, something even close friends do not know. Here it is: I am terrified to drive. Yes, that’s right: terrified. In fact, until quite recently I did not have a driver’s license. For some of you that might come as quite a shock, but driving phobia is more common than you’d think, even if the people who have it often find excuses for not driving rather than owning up to it.
I used to be just like that. “We only have one car,” I’d use as my excuse to beg for rides home from coworkers. And sure, it was true, but what about on his off days? Or, “I’m just too tired right now, honey.”
It used to be a subject of endless fights between me and my husband. He just couldn’t understand it. I was a grown woman, why was I afraid to drive? The more he badgered me about it, the less I felt like getting behind the wheel.
Why is a good question, and one I am forced to find an answer to the more and more I chauffeur my girls around. Well, from about the time I was ten, whenever there was record of an accident in the paper that involved teenagers, my father would read it to me. The message I got was not be careful the message I got was cars kill.
When he was trying to teach me how to drive he yelled a lot. It took years before I could sit behind the wheel and not instantly tense up. Sometimes I still do it. It is hard to move a steering wheel you have a death grip on. My driver’s ed teacher was even worse, and reinforced my white knuckled grip. Another lesson learned was that I was a bad driver, even though technically I was just learning along with the other sophomores at school.
Even before then I had nightmares involving driving. Heck, I still do, and it’s always the same: I’m driving somewhere, and I hit the gas instead of the break, I lose control of the car, swerving wildly until I see the police lights flashing in the rearview mirror, at what point I am magically able to stop.
Like I said, I don’t talk about this fear often, but I know I am not alone. My mom has a coworker who has never driven. Two more of my friends do not drive. An acquaintance just got his license at twenty. And me, I have gone from hardly ever driving to driving at least twice a week. I often wonder if I will ever sit behind the wheel without starting to shake.
mibarra on October 16th, 2012 10:29 am
I’m kind of the opposite. I’m an extremely nervous passenger, and would much rather drive than let someone else drive! ;P
beautifulboyz on October 16th, 2012 4:04 pm
I thought I was the only one! Glad to know I am not alone. I live in Southern Cali where there are freeways that are jammed packed at every hour of the day. Thankfully we live in a small city where we have everything and there is no need for me to get on the horrendous freeways. I sometimes do, but it’s a short stretch and I do it to overcome my fear. My husband bugs me about getting on for longer distances with him by my side. We too fight about this. One of my secret goals is to have the courage to drive to downtown LA at rush hour lol!
Krista on October 16th, 2012 10:11 pm
Beautifulboyz, you are NOT alone and it is important your husband knows that too! If you are feeling up to it share this article with him. When my husband met my other friends that didn’t drive he eased up on me and it helped alot. Good luck overcoming your fear and above all: BE SAFE! Thanks for reading!
KaiMommy on October 17th, 2012 8:17 pm
Glad I’m not the only one. Lol. I’m also like this behind the weel, I’m a good driver though. I think being nervous makes me more aware and careful. This fear of driving is partly because where I live people drive quite carelessly.
beautifulboyz on October 17th, 2012 11:11 pm
I will definitely share it with the hubs. Thanks for posting this Krista! =)
sarab22 on October 18th, 2012 4:33 pm
Glad to know I’m not the only one who fears steeping on the gas instead of the brakes. My biggest fear is driving in the snow, I will pretty much do anything to avoid that! We recently had our third baby and had to purchase a mini van, I still have anxiety when it comes to parking, especially backing out.
Krista on October 18th, 2012 6:33 pm
As a mom of two, and wanting another, I fear the minivan moment.
You are a brave mama!