Spiralling Behind the Steering Wheel
In a 2023 survey, the results showed that 66% of Americans have driving anxiety, with merging (on highways) and reversing being the top two maneuvers that made drivers nervous. With that said, what are anxious drivers typically thinking about when the nerves hit behind the wheel? From fearing stepping on the wrong pedal to getting lost, here are 20 thoughts only anxious drivers have.
1. What If I Crash?
For many—if not all—anxious drivers, the fear of possibly getting into a minor or major accident is what keeps them from going behind the wheel. After all, it can be tricky to navigate through heavy traffic while watching out for other road users, and taking public transportation is often less stressful.
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2. I'm Going to Lose Control of the Car
Anxious drivers are always scared they'll lose control of the car, whether by accidentally turning the wheel too much, going too fast, or not braking in time. This thought may consume them so much that they become convinced they will lose control whenever they get behind the wheel.
3. What If I Step on the Wrong Pedal?
Once you've gotten the hang of driving, knowing which pedal to press and when becomes muscle memory. But for anxious drivers, they're constantly thinking about the frightening possibility of getting their signals mixed, such as slamming their foot on the gas when they should brake.
4. What If I Suddenly Forget How to Drive?
Similar to the thought of losing control behind the wheel, anxious drivers are scared they might suddenly blank on the road. What if they forget how to do a U-turn? What if they forget how to change lanes, or merge with traffic? These worries are what keep them from driving.
5. Shoulder Check, Shoulder Check, Shoulder Check
Remembering to shoulder check is something that's been ingrained in every driver's head since they first started learning how to drive, but even then, those who get anxious behind the wheel are scared they'll forget this simple move. And since forgetting it comes with potentially drastic consequences, this is another fear that keeps them off the road.
6. I'm Going to Have a Panic Attack
When the anxiety gets too much, the symptoms that ensue—feeling of impending doom, racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath—might trigger a panic attack. Even worse is the fact that these symptoms can mimic a heart attack, which is why anxious drivers may avoid getting behind the wheel.
7. I'm Going to Get Lost
Even if anxious drivers are able to push themselves to get on the road, there's another looming fear: what if they get lost? What if they end up stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night, with no one to help them? Because of this, they'd rather stick to other means of transportation.
8. What If I Can't Park?
Driving is one thing, but parking is a whole other challenge. That's why anxious drivers often choose parking spots that are farther away from the main entrance, so that there's more room to maneuver and less chance of accidentally scraping another car.
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9. What If I Can't Back Out of My Parking Spot?
And even when they can actually park, therein comes another challenge: getting out of the parking spot. If they've backed into the spot, it's easy, but if they need to back out of the spot, then it's trickier. What if they gauge their surroundings wrong and accidentally hit the cars parked next to them?
10. Am I Driving Too Fast?
Some anxious drivers may go slower on the road due to their nerves, and some may speed up or drive erratically, hovering between too slow and too fast. They may also constantly evaluate themselves on the road, checking their speedometer every few seconds, which may cause overcorrection and, ironically, more anxiety.
11. Should I Turn Now?
When an anxious driver needs to make a turn at an intersection, they're often overthinking the action and the time it takes to do the action. For example, they might decide to turn when it's not safe to, or decide against turning when it is safe to. Every time they make a mistake, it only adds to their anxiety.
12. Everyone's Mad at Me
Anxious drivers are self-conscious about their actions on the road and often think of driving as a performance. Every small mistake or hiccup makes them overthink and get caught up in the belief that everyone else is now laughing at them or angry over something they did, even when it's most likely the opposite.
13. That Honk Was for Me, Wasn't It
Drivers honk for all kinds of reasons, from road rage to alerting others of danger. Not every beep on the road is out of anger, and if it is directed to somebody, it's often because there's a potential hazard or close call. Anxious drivers might assume others sound their horn because of them, but if their driving is perfectly fine, then the honk is probably intended for someone else.
14. Can I Even Make It Home?
Anxious drivers don't just worry over whether they'll get lost or not—they also worry about whether they'll even make it home in one piece. Those who tend to get more anxiety and panic attacks than others may find it especially difficult to navigate home, since they're constantly in a heightened state of mind.
15. I Can't Drive When It's Raining
Anxious drivers love to make excuses to not drive, and weather is often one they'll blame. Of course, if it's snowing or storming outside, it's probably best to stay indoors, but for anxious drivers, even rain makes them doubtful and frightened.
16. It's Too Late to Drive
Another excuse anxious drivers like to make is when they can drive. For example, they may only drive if it's earlier in the morning, since there won't be as much traffic. They'll often avoid driving at night, when visibility is severely limited.
17. What If a Pedestrian Pops Out of Nowhere?
Anxious drivers are scared of things they can't predict because they're afraid they won't know how to react correctly or in time. If a pedestrian were to jaywalk or a wild animal were to pop out, they know to yield in theory—but they're worried that they might not be able to do so when they're actually placed in that situation.
18. What If There's Construction on the Road?
It's a headache for all road users when there's construction on the road, but for anxious drivers, these detours and changes only ramp up their nerves. Again, anything that's unpredictable will only make them more anxious, because they feel that they won't be able to respond correctly.
19. Is the Car Supposed to Sound Like That?
It's not just what's happening on the road that makes anxious drivers nervous—it's what's happening in their own vehicle, too. They might become hyperfocused on any sounds their car makes or new, unusual smells. While it's generally a good thing to be alert, as these smells and sounds could indicate something serious, it also detracts their attention from the road.
20. I Never Want to Drive Again
At the end of every driving session, anxious drivers likely have one thought only: they never want to do it again. After all, the stress that comes with dealing with other road users and unpredictable situations can take a huge toll on them, draining them of their energy and confidence.
