How to gain back my confidence in driving?

United States
December 12, 2009 12:01am CST
Few months ago, I got my driver's license in Hawaii and starting driving. But there was almost accident situation that I can never forget. I made a left turn before the green left arrow appear. I made a mistake on the following the car in front of me and thought that it was safe to turn left with green light. A fast car rushing to me and so I pressed the gas hard and we did not collide. Now I am always worried and nervous everytime I drive my car. I appreciate any advices and comments.
4 responses
@lindiebiz (1006)
• Canada
12 Dec 09
It is normal to feel that way thank God there was no accident. Most good drivers have had accidents but now they are good drivers. I have had an accident but I am better now. try to be careful and tell your self you can become a good driver and believe it.
• United States
12 Dec 09
Thank you for your encouragement lindie. Currently, I only have one route, going to work and back home and I am still afraid to drive other street or places or even going to the malls.
@bulastika (5966)
• Philippines
18 Dec 09
Me to..I love to drive but I'm afraid to drive.. I only hope and dream that I can drive. I can drive if its a country road or expressway.. I also hit somebody when I'm driving so. Lucky I'm just getting out of the parking lot. So no much harm done to that person. Its just to all places you don't know that their is a person in front of you. Yes he is in front of me..I run slow to look for a parking space..I look front and theirs no body and I look at my side to see if theirs a vacant spot. I don't know if I look so long but when I look front I saw this man and its to late already.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
16 Dec 09
Try using creative visualisation. I know of one person who nearly had an accident, resulting in him feeling nervous whenever a drives a car. After he followed my suggestion on using creative visualisation, his nervousness disappeared. Basically let yourself into a relaxed state. Imagine yourself getting into a car and driving it. Ideally at one point imagine yourself getting into the same situation. If during the process you feel any anxiety attacks do stop. Do the same thing the next day.
@maezee (41997)
• United States
14 Dec 09
I think we all have situations like this that really give us a good scare. The best that you can do is try to pay more attention, and give it time - and I'm sure your confidence will come back. I had a really scary experience in the winter-time one year where I ended up sliding on black ice and facing traffic on the wrong side of the road. It was a really scary situation! And I've been a little bit scarred from it ever since. You have to realize, though, that these situations happen.. to everyone, and it's such a bad life to live - in fear. I think the best thing is try to move on, to realize you made a mistake, and to be a good driver and continue gaining the experience you need to be a confident driver. These things happen, simply put. It's the lessons we learn from them that really count!