It is estimated that half to one million Dutch people do not dare to take the road despite having a driving licence. The Santé driving instructor gives tips.
Driving Anxiety can arise after, for example, you have experienced an accident or near-accident. But it can also develop gradually. One of the biggest misconceptions among people who are afraid to drive is that they think they can't drive. That is a big misunderstanding.
Driving Anxiety is similar to other anxiety disorders. In some people, it is also associated with another anxiety disorder. Think of a fear of heights or claustrophobia. People who do not dare to drive are afraid of accidents and collisions. Or they find speeding scary and get all kinds of scary thoughts in their head while driving. That makes them decide not to drive anymore and the less you go out on the road, the greater the fear of driving becomes.
The best way to get over your fear of driving Getting around is what psychologists call exposure. So you really have to get in the car and hit the road for that. For example, if you think about head-on collisions, shoveling pedestrians, losing control of the wheel, you will find yourself producing more adrenaline, becoming tense and even more scared. Therefore, pay attention to your breathing and say to replace every bad thought that comes to your mind with a beautiful memory. You can also put on soothing music or repeat a mantra, such as:I'm calm, everything is fine. More exercises can be found here .
You can also take extra driving lessons at the ANWB if you already have a driver's license. They provide full guidance to get your fear of driving under control. Ask for the ANWB RijZeker training † This training starts with a personal intake interview, in which you say what you expect from the instructor.
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