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Rizen

(993 posts) Mon Oct 27, 2025, 06:58 PM Oct 27

Afraid of Driving

I am an extremely cautious individual. I had five family members die over the course of about eight years so I do everything in my power to stay safe and healthy: I eat healthy and work out and am a very defensive driver. I try to not drive more than 5mph over the speed limit and always keep a buffer between me and the car ahead of me. Despite all that last Thursday I was driving on the freeway, the car to my right tried to merge into me so I swerved left but lost control of my vehicle and spun out into the median at 65mph. I was extremely fortunate to walk away with no serious injuries but my car was totaled. The driver who tried to merge into me never stopped and I didn't have collision coverage so my car was a total loss. It was just a crappy 2008 Honda Fit so that wasn't a terrible thing but the bigger issue is I lost my independence. I already had extreme anxiety about driving worrying that this exact thing would happen before it even happened. Now IDK if I can get back on the freeway. I have some money saved up and decided to buy a new used car, under $5000, for groceries and driving around town but anything more than that scares the hell out of me. Had things gone slightly different I easily could have been crippled, died and possibly taken other people with me.

Seatbelts save lives btw. Always wear a seatbelt.

7 replies

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Afraid of Driving (Original Post) Rizen Oct 27 OP

I'm freakin thrilled you walked away in one piece irisblue Oct 27 #1

I am the same. I don't mind driving for errands. vanlassie Oct 27 #2

Glad that you are okay... anciano Oct 27 #3

Rizen... LuckyCharms Oct 27 #4

Thank goodness you walked away! Your feelings are natural.LC has good advice. electric_blue68 Oct 28 #5

Get a dashcam, please. flvegan Oct 28 #6

Thank you all for the kind words! Rizen Oct 28 #7

irisblue

(36,565 posts)

1. I'm freakin thrilled you walked away in one piece

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Mon Oct 27, 2025, 07:13 PM

Oct 27

I too have a fear of driving again.

vanlassie

(6,194 posts)

2. I am the same. I don't mind driving for errands.

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Mon Oct 27, 2025, 07:13 PM

Oct 27

But I don’t drive the 150 mile trip to my son’s Bay Area home anymore. I take Amtrak. It’s so much less stress! If I have to take a taxi somewhere, I generally tell the driver I’m an anxious passenger, and I lay down (if it was a long flight) or I bury myself in Solitare on my phone. I always feel like my reaction time is faster than other drivers.

anciano

(2,032 posts)

3. Glad that you are okay...

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Mon Oct 27, 2025, 07:32 PM

Oct 27

I no longer own a car or drive. I'm 77 and live in a metropolitan area where I can have groceries delivered and ride with Uber whenever I have an appointment or would just like to go somewhere within the area. It has truly been a liberating experience, and I don't miss the expense and hassle of car ownership at all.
Best wishes!

LuckyCharms

(21,236 posts)

4. Rizen...

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Mon Oct 27, 2025, 07:36 PM

Oct 27

I know several people that are afraid of driving, when they never used to be.

My wife can't drive on the highway anymore, and she gets tense when she is in the car with me and I'm driving on the highway.

You had a traumatic experience. I think it is normal to feel the way you do.

Try not to stress over this. Stay on your town roads and avoid the highway if you can. It's ok. There's no hurry to get back on the highway.

You will sense naturally when/if you will drive on the highway again.

I'm glad you walked away from your accident. Best wishes to you.

electric_blue68

(24,958 posts)

5. Thank goodness you walked away! Your feelings are natural.LC has good advice.

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Tue Oct 28, 2025, 01:15 AM

Oct 28

flvegan

(65,494 posts)

6. Get a dashcam, please.

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Tue Oct 28, 2025, 03:02 AM

Oct 28

I'm sorry for your misfortune, but glad it seems you're okay.

Everyone within the sound of my voice, please, get a dashcam. We live amongst the worst of the worst, a terrible species example and blight on the planet. Get a silent witness that can capture your surroundings and will provide evidence against these idiots with which we unfortunately share air and water.

The only way these fucks learn is through consequences. Only you are likely to be able to provide them.

Rizen

(993 posts)

7. Thank you all for the kind words!

Reply to Rizen (Original post)

Tue Oct 28, 2025, 02:22 PM

Oct 28

This has been very helpful. I intend to drive around town but no longer drive myself on the freeway. This feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

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