To be petrified driving on motorways

This is how I am. I didn’t drive for ten years after I passed in my teens (never needed to and didn’t have any vehicles available to me to drive). I’m ok driving around the small city I live in because I know it so well but just can’t cope with motorways. The thought of changing lanes terrifies me! It has limited me.

Surely that is any road you go on?

Same. I feel that I’m basically putting blind trust into strangers- and I don’t trust strangers!

Rubbish! I have a bloody fiesta and drive on the motorway every day! If you're not confident or competent to be on a motorway, please stay off them

I would go by train

The worst thing about motorway driving is boredom, and delays. Other than that it's pretty easy, once you get used to 70mph. If you stick in the left lane, get behind a van or a truck that isn't going over 60, you can stay there until you feel comfortable enough to move lanes.

Been driving 30 years never been on one.

Because it's highly unlikely to be sorted by Monday 🙄🙄

If you’re terrified, don’t do it.

Nervous drivers are dangerous drivers.

When I passed my driving test I booked in for a 3 hour motorway lesson, did slip road after slip road, did a lot of slingshots round a roundabout to come off and immediately back onto the same motorway, lots of lane changes. Best thing I ever did also because I lived 3 hours from family most of the route being motorways one onto another sort of thing.

I did this because I learned to drive in a small town which doesn't really give you lots of opportunities to experience new meeting situations etc. I learned to drive in my mid twenties and came from a city.

If you can't get out onto the motorway this weekend there are videos on youtube and definitely book in with a driving instructor to brush up your skills. It isn't just for learner drivers.

I think it depends on how powerful / big your vehicle is too.
I have a small, feeble car and it's turned me into someone who hates motorways. I used to have a small people carrier and never got freaked out while driving.

I doubt OP will be able to assess this before Monday

if op can assess this type of lesson at a later date it would make her a more confident driver who wasn't feeling sick on Saturday about the thought of a 3 hour drive on Monday - if the same situation arises in the future

@MikeRafone why at a later date?

If you're petrified driving on motorways, you shouldn't be driving at all. It's just a road. There is nothing you will encounter on a motorway that you can't encounter on the A road network.

I did a pass plus after my test which was good

Funnily I would get on the motorway now and do Lancaster to Oxford without blinking
Ask me to drive in a city centre I don't know though... nope

Nothing unreasonable at all to not like motorways. It would be less of an issue if those who middle lane hog and others who drive unacceptably or dangerously faced the courts and preferably were banned for a long time.

Look at the suggestion of motorway driving lessons, and for your journey next week, alternative routes.

I could have written your post, and basically don’t drive on the motorway. If I have to go long distance, I go by train .

If you're not happy driving on a motorway, please don't! I drive on them every day and see people who haven't got a bloody clue what they are doing and quite frankly shouldn't be driving at all!

Yes - I had bad anxiety for 10 years which resulted in number of things, including stopping driving on the motorways/A roads between the age of 30 and 40 (having previously been very accomplished).

I tried a lot of things, and finally came across 'trauma driving therapy' with specialists,

I've been back on any and all roads for 15 years now, including Europe.

Driving without constrains or boundaries is my idea of freedom.

For me, it was anxiety related - the motorway was a symptom that I could identify, but there were other things I was avoiding too.

Not any more 😎

It's addressable, OP 💕

A friend in her early 40s is getting like this already. I recently suggested a meet up with a friendship group somewhere that we could all reach easily by a short journey (less than 1 hour, and everyone coming from different parts) and it became clear she wouldn't consider anywhere that couldn't be accessed by train even though she and her DH both have their own cars (so she didn't leave the family car with her DH so he could ferry the kids etc)

Firstly - don’t drive in the motorway if you are scared.
book a lesson on motorway driving. Honestly it is the easiest driving you’ll do. Learn got to join, when to change lane. That’s it.

Sounds like this is a great idea for the Op at a later date.

Ive never thought that I don't belong on the road as everyone else or that im in the way - especially on a motorway as there is another lane to overtake if they choose and sometimes two lanes to overtake.I can understand how that might make you fell uncomfortable if you think that way

I prefer driving on the motorway.
I think if you are too scared of driving on the motorway then dont until you can get some refresher lessons on the motorway or build on your confidence.
People that can't or won't get up to speed or making serious mistakes due to their anxiety on the motorway are a massive danger.

@mollyfolk what is it specifically that you are scared of? Speed? Volume of traffic? Distance?

I did a speed awareness course this week and statistically motorways were the safest place to drive a car.

I have a friend who is phobic about motorway driving and without being unpleasant, it’s a real pain. I really hope you find a way to overcome this. A few sessions with an advanced driving instructor might be very helpful.

Up until about 2 years I was just like this. I point blank refused to go on motorways and missed out on a lot of things because of it.

At the start of the 2021 I made a New Year's resolution to start doing it. Dh took me out a few times and was able to guide me which really helped. I actually found that driving on the motorway is easy, boring even. The bit I struggled with was my sense of direction and knowing when to come off. A sat nav really helped with that.

You can do it op. Just start small and build up your confidence. It's totally worth it and once you get going you'll wonder why you were ever afraid.