Current Events > Ask a guy who's 26 years old but too afraid to drive anything.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Got my license 5 years ago, and I only drive within my city, and even then I'm scared of changing lanes so I rarely drive beyond this one lane route I take to work everyday.

I'm absolutely terrified of taking the highway.
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What city? Does it have good public transit?
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Highway is a lot less risky / more chill than in town driving. If you can manage to get out and make yourself do it you might conquer that fear fairly easily.
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Honestly, driving got me out of my depression. Yes, it was scared at first, but it was exciting once I learned how.
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I was sorta the same way. Honestly, the freeway is a lot of fun to drive on when its not packed. I feel you on changing lanes, though. Easily the scariest part of driving.

I also kinda get anxiety when a light is out so everyone has to take turns. Even though I know when its my turn, Im always afraid someone is gonna go when its my turn.

You basically just gotta face your fear when youre ready. Easier said than done, but you can definitely do it.
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Antifar posted...

What city? Does it have good public transit?

SF Bay Area. Public transit is good so I don't need the car too much, but I can't travel far. And I do want to relocate to SoCal but I can't because I'm too afraid to drive there and I hear it's a necessity.

CanuckCowboy posted...

Highway is a lot less risky / more chill than in town driving. If you can manage to get out and make yourself do it you might conquer that fear fairly easily.

I'm terrified of merging and changing lanes.
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I'm that way but where I live everyone drives triggered. You have to know your trigger spots and know that is probably the only spot.
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WalkingLobsters posted...

I'm terrified of merging and changing lanes

Well that's an issue alright. I don't have any advice for overcoming the initial fear but I will say that merging and lane changes are definitely something you can handle if you're managing city driving. In the city there's a whole lot to watch out for and it can come from just about anywhere. Merging or changing lanes there's a much smaller area which requires your focus.
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I love driving... just not with other drivers. Stupid overaggressive fuckers.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

WalkingLobsters posted...

I'm terrified of merging and changing lanes

Well that's an issue alright. I don't have any advice for overcoming the initial fear but I will say that merging and lane changes are definitely something you can handle if you're managing city driving. In the city there's a whole lot to watch out for and it can come from just about anywhere. Merging or changing lanes there's a much smaller area which requires your focus.

Thing is I literally only go in one lane and just drive straight to my work, so I'm not getting much experience. Should I just do more town driving?
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WalkingLobsters posted...

Thing is I literally only go in one lane and just drive straight to my work, so I'm not getting much experience. Should I just do more town driving?

If that's what you're comfortable with I'd say yes. Try and work on lane changes in town at the lower speed and see if it helps your comfort level.

Heck just drive more in general and try to increase your general confidence while behind the wheel.
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CanuckCowboy posted...

WalkingLobsters posted...

Thing is I literally only go in one lane and just drive straight to my work, so I'm not getting much experience. Should I just do more town driving?

If that's what you're comfortable with I'd say yes. Try and work on lane changes in town at the lower speed and see if it helps your comfort level.

Heck just drive more in general and try to increase your general confidence while behind the wheel.

Yeah, that's probably the only way. I barely drive as it is now. I don't even consider my "commute" driving.
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God same
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what are you afraid of?
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iamintents posted...

what are you afraid of?

Not being allowed to merge into a lane and missing my turn, missing an exit, crashing when merging, can't parallel park, afraid of not finding parking.
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How the fuck is changing lanes scary?

You look in your mirror and check your blind spot, then shift slightly to the side. Fucking horrifying, right?
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weapon_d00d816 posted...

How the fuck is changing lanes scary?

You look in your mirror and check your blind spot, then shift slightly to the side. Fucking horrifying, right?

Well it's more like, what if there's a car already in the lane I want to go to and the car is right next to me? I'm either going to have to speed up or slow down and then switch. I dunno. It just kinda makes me nervous.
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I'm in the process of buying a car. I really don't want to drive but I got my license last year and I need to hone my driving skills. And importantly, I need it for work.

Am 26 too and got my license last year >_>
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