If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
Motorway and dual carriageway nerves
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I had a driving lesson today was suppose to be my last pass plus lesson but I panicked so so much.... On the dual carriageway I was doing 45mph tops and the national speed limit is 70.... On the slip way to the motorway I was doing 30/35mph I cried and cried I was shaking I felt physically sick... When I finally got on the motorway I was doing 50/55 tops and the speed limit is again 70.... So now my instructor can't pass me so he has given me a free lesson on motorway and dual carriageway so he can pass me.... I want to pass so much but my nerves take over big time.... Has anyone got anything that I can do for my nerves no tablets or anything please...
Thanks
MrsMcelderry
Xxxx
Thanks
MrsMcelderry
Xxxx
0
Comments
Don't assume the same thing will happen again, though, it was your first time with a new instructor and it's natural to be nervous in those situations, it might be fine next time!
My bad. Re read the post and saw pass plus.
You need to get used to driving at speed and realise motorways are the safest roads in the uk
That's all it is.
Do you have access to a car? If so, get out driving as much as you possibly can between now and your next lesson.
Motorways and dual carriage ways are actually the easiest roads to drive on - just a bit daunting to begin with. Take your time and try not to focus on the speedo. Remember you've got your instructor to look after you - then find a car that looks sensible and concentrate on following them.
my advice would be take someone with you who's experienced and go out later at night when it's a bit quieter, I did this with my dad to get used to slip roads/joining motorways/changing lanes and then gradually built up to it being busier. the more you do it the more confident you'll get.
Go and look at the statistics if you think it would help. Motorways are safeR.
Combination of getting used to the driving at speed, and on maybe some low dpeed dual carriage ways (where it's more like 2 lanes than a dual carriage way) to get used to it?
If you can't drive at a sensible speed then you're heading to the territory where you're a danger to yourself and others.
A thought occurs that perhaps driving instruction is not the career for you...
I will get over this fear no matter what. Im asking for ideas to deal with nerves not asking u all to upset me and make me think different about the career I want.
It sounds like you feel comfortable driving on the backroads, but when you get onto big fast roads you just seize up and panic? This could definitely be related to what happened with your friend. Have you thought about bereavement counselling? Talking it through might help you.
As Firenze says, no roads are completely safe - but at the same time the UK has one of the highest road safety records in the world. You are better to be a driver here, than anywhere else.
Have you been taught about the concept of defensive driving? It's about forward planning and being in control of the car. If you are driving and thinking 'in the moment', as soon as everything speeds up - it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed! But if you plan ahead - scan the road ahead, behind, create space - you are 'boxing off' those bits of panic so you can concentrate on controlling the vehicle (including driving at the right speed).
I'm really glad your instructor is supportive.
Simon is an absolute star he is so supportive he is determined to help me beat this fear..
:thumb:I second this.:thumb:
What I'm suggesting is that you should set more specific, shorter term, goals, perhaps on the way to your end point of being an instructor.
I'm not saying that you need to abandon your dream, more that it is currently a long way off, and you have some practical issues to deal with first. The fear does not need to be associated with your wish to be an instructor.
An example of a more achievable goal than "being an instructor" might be "join a dual carriageway without panicing" then "travel 5 miles on a dual carriageway without panicing" then "join the motorway", and so on.
This will help you merge off the slip road, and you can practice driving at higher speeds without having to change lanes too much.
And take a friend.
And take a friend.