To be petrified driving on motorways

I was a driving instructor for 32 years, retired this year. Please don't be embarrassed, this situation is really common. I was really lucky in that when I passed my test, I passed on a Friday, got given a company car and had to drive 40 miles on a Motorway, on the Monday. So in effect thrown in at the deep end.
If you can't make alternative arrangements for your upcoming trip, plan your journey for a quieter time of day if you can and plan to make regular stops. Look at a road Atlas and see if you can avoid the Motorway for parts of the journey to give you a break. Then after Christmas book some Motorway lessons to increase your confidence. You could also ask to cover anything else that you're anxious about. Please ring potential instructors straight away though, as the vast majority will have a waiting list. Good luck!

Theyre the dangerous ones-they need to learn patience.

Fatal!!! Not fateful

Hi

Me too

It's the speed! It petrifies me. One wrong move or lapse of concentration could be fateful

Do you have a link for your trauma driving therapy? Weirdly, I’m a Psychologist who provides therapy, including therapy for PTSD following serious RTCs. In carrying out that therapy and providing Psychological reports in cases of personal injury litigation, I myself have developed anxious about travelling on unfamiliar motorways (I’m fine on familiar sections) and on country roads. Its true that there are fewer accidents on motorways per mile of traffic, but without wanting to trigger anyone here, accidents at low to moderate speed (in cities etc) are much less likely to result in death or life changing injuries than accidents at high speed.

Book a few hours with an instructor and have some motorway lessons. Then it's like everything else - the more you do it, the easier it gets.

The speed limit in the UK is 70 miles per hour, not 70km/hr.

70 miles per hour is around 4 miles an hour less than 120km/hr, so very similar speed limit to where you are.

70km/hr is just over 43 miles an hour. No one drives at 40mph on a motorway here unless stuck in a jam of slow moving traffic.

I'm taking this advice for myself ...

Taking to the road when you can't drive properly is risking your own life and the rest of ours.

No. This makes no sense.

I've been driving for 7 years and I drive a fiesta, I have been on the motorway twice on a junction and off again. I don't like the changing lanes and busyness but I need to get over that fear. I don't have cruise control either.

It is nerve wracking due to the high speeds I know. The hardest past is joining though, after that you can stay (which we're supposed to) in left hand lane where the speed is just like a dual carriageway. Just keep calm, be aware, imagine the other drivers around you feeling the same. Unfortunately there are arses who race and are inconsiderate but that's their problem and they need to slow down. X

Most people do not drive like complete lunatics on motorways.

I avoid motorways because most people drive like complete lunatics on them. They leave me simultaneously angry and scared. I set my satnav to avoid motorways, I'd rather go a fiddly route than have fuckwits in BMWs and lorries cutting me up and tailgating me, even when I'm driving at the speed limit.

Honestly long as you don't focus on the end of your bumper youll be absolutely fine. Look ahead and read the road. And it's one of those things where the more you put it off, the worse it becomes in your head.

I'd also suggest a pass plus course.

However, in light of your upcoming trip, is there another route you can take that will take the pressure off?

You are a hazard on the road if you're petrified of a motorway! How ridiculous. Anyone so scared of driving shouldn't be in charge of a ton of car and certainly shouldn't be on the road. Either get some extra lessons, maybe book with the IAM or stay away from the potential killing machine.

When I passed my test I had a motorway lesson. Maybe this is something you could look into.

Often fear comes from the unknown and/or an overblown assumption of risk and is frequently irrational. The reality is motorways are the safest roads and you are more at risk of a serious/fatal accident using single carriageway roads as an alternative. Motorways are much easier to use as the rules are simple (keep left unless overtaking), the junctions are most often grade separated (all that is needed is a bit of negotiation and anticipation at merge points), and there are no right turns across traffic. If the speed bothers you stick to lane 1, the traffic won't be going faster than the HGV's doing 56 mph.

Ultimately the way to overcome fear is to face it repeatedly until experience teaches you the fear is unfounded.

I get anxious on the motorway too and I'm so annoyed with myself because I used to be fine!

I don't like when others are joining. My heart jumps in my throat. I also don't like the HGV's.

It's not that I don't know how to drive on the motorway, it's other drivers driving like dickheads.

Planning to have refresher lessons in the NY and may look into hypnosis as mentioned by previous poster.

I was the same until my late husband couldn’t drive anymore. So I had to get on with it. He died 6 years ago and I’ll drive anywhere. It’s all a question of practice and gaining confidence. I would certainly have a lesson or two with someone as I don’t think it’s safe for someone who is not motorway confident to be driving on them.

Ooh is this specific hypnosis for motorway driving or anxiety generally?

I used to be the same! After a year and a half of driving while avoiding motorways, I had to go to the airport to pick my sister and used the motorway. This was 10 mins max. Then after that I did the same route a few times. After a few months I drove one hour to a different city to meet a friend. Now I feel more confident and I agree with everyone saying that motorways are easier. So my recommendation is to try a short segment of a motorway close to you, either go by yourself or with someone who you trust and would like to be with you. Then try to repeat the same segment a few times until you become more motorway confident and you’ll be able to drive longer distances. A small step at a time.

Make sure you keep in your lane and if you need to change you use your indicators and really check your mirrors and blind spots.

Good luck!

Shame.

I'm happy as a clam on a motorway. If I'm in no hurry, I just pottle along in the slow lane and I get there when I get there.

Driving in towns and cities is, I think, much harder.

It’s just practice. Unfortunately you can’t buy it but you will get there and then you will wonder what you were worried about! Xx

Where I am from horseboxes and trailers are limited to 10mph under the limit. That won't cause accidents. But doing 40/50 is incredibly frustrating for other road users and yes even in the slow lane if you drive that speed on a motorway you should not be on it. What if a low sun and someone doesn't realise how slow your going and goes right into the back of you? Road rage is also a big cause of accidents.

Remember drive the speed limit. Accidents happen. Even in the slow lane.