to be scared of driving

[notveryinventive]

I know IABU, but I need you mumsnetters to tell me so and why to give me a bit of incouragement.

I dont post a lot, but do lurk a lot so forgive me for not being known.

Anyway I never seem to have much luck with cars and every car I have ever had has had its fair share of problems. Anyway when my parents got a new car we took over their older one. They had it from 6 months old and looked after it really well.

Anyway the other day a light came on to say there was a problem. It was the engine one that suggests that it could be anything but needed to be checked by a garage. So I took it to the guy my parents knows and he had a quick check and told me what the problem was. Its not a big job and is something that needs to be looked at, at some point, but for now it should be ok and it wont break down because of that. It drives fine and there is no change in anything with the driving, I just have this light on. We have breakdown cover with homestart yet I really am reluctant to get behind the wheel. I should explain here that even though its not a huge job, its still a little bit out of our budget so cant afford to get it sorted for another month or so.

Our last car had this light that came on and it broke down a couple of years ago in the snow at a busy junction with traffic lights, I basically couldnt move when the lights turned to green. Now its this that has got me worried. As we had one bad experience I am so worried it will happen again.

I keep telling myself we have breakdown cover, that at the worst they can tow it back to my parents house (as its just round the corner from this man they know who has always looked after their cars) and nothing bad will happen. So why am I so scared of driving it? Is it an anxiety issue? (I dont suffer with it a lot, but do worry about some things) Is it my hormones as I am 39+3 pregnant?

Please tell me to stop being so stupid and tell me why I shouldnt be scared. Thanks.

[notveryinventive]

whoops sorry *encouragement I can spell promise

[Serenitysutton]

Im scared too. I had an accident shortly after passing and I hate the fact that I'm not very good at it, and I hate the fact there are so many other shit drivers and generally nasty people about.


So no encouragement but you're not alone

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

The mechanic said 'it won't break down' because of whatever it is that the light signifies. If it does, what's the worse that could happen? You have breakdown cover, it's a few months before snow is going to be an issue and the choice is either to take a small risk or be stuck at home with a reasonably good car sitting outside doing nothing.....

'Apprehensive' you're allowed, but 'scared' is a little OTT....

[thenightsky]

I've been driving round with the orange ABS light on for a year now! Tis fine to drive and the brakes work perfectly.

A friend of mine has had the airbag light on for a 3 years. He tucks a bit of cardboard over it to get it through its MOT.

If it is an orange light, then its not urgent. Its probably just a minor electrical thing and the code needs resetting.

[ThePrisonerOfAzkaban]

It's prob just a sensor that's playing up, happens all the time.
Don't worry about it burnish rive carefully, give yourself room. Breaking down at traffic lights is all part of the fun of driving, just try and flag down a few fit guys to push you out of the way.

[notveryinventive]

thanks for your replies.

The sensible side of me was telling me to stop being soo silly, but part of me couldnt help worrying. God knows what I would be like if I actually had an accident (none so far since I passed my test in 1997).

Anyway today Ive driven a bit more than I have since the light first came on over the weekend and Ive grown my confidence a bit more.

I knew I was BU, just wanted a good talking to. Thanks ladies.