Should I learn how to drive ?

[whyismysoullost]

Hello,

I would love to learn how to drive. But I have terrible anxiety. I'm worried that I'll crash into someone... I'm worried that about getting into an accident... I'm worried about injuring my children... well DS.

I don't think I can live with myself if any of the above happened.

Is driving necessary i.e. do you live rurally or are you a lifelong city-dweller where public transport and Uber/taxi rides are aplenty?

I live in London and travel is excellent. But I guess nothing beats being in your own car. It's more for convenience and it will good for the job I want to do- as it will involve lots of travelling around.

Then I guess it's a matter of whether you think the benefits of driving outweighs your apprehension towards it. My DP has lived in Zürich, Singapore, and now London and doesn't know how to drive. He thinks Ubers/taxis/public transport is the best choice for him though as he doesn't have to worry about parking, drinking and driving, or having to walk all the way back to his car if he has done some walking.

If you really want to learn how to drive though, have you looked into perhaps seeing a therapist to maybe work out the root of your anxieties?

I have bipolar and love driving one of the best things I did once you get used to driving the anxiety will subside and you will find it better at least I did.

I think all drivers have a little anxiety about driving.

One of my worse nightmares is knocking off a cyclist or getting caught up in an accident that I caused that end up in death. I think everyone has a little bit in them.

I never thought i'd drive, I never did at 6th form when everyone else did and didn't have the money when I was a young adult but I can't imagine not driving now.

Driving is a lot easier than it looks. There's a lot of rules out there to prevent accidents and if you learn and stick to them you'll be fine. Maybe get a driving instructor and take each lesson as it comes. Remember they'll have a pedal too to stop any accidents from occurring.The first few lessons you won't go above 20mph and just do simple start/stops.

If you're able to cycle in a straight line you'll be able to control a car in a straight line. Most major accidents happen when someone is being an idiot on the road. It doesn't matter if you're walking, cycling, being a passenger or driving you're always going to be in danger of those.

If you're happy for your son to be a passenger in someone else's car he'll be in less danger of you driving (you know what you've drunk, taken, speed etc etc).

Give it a go, i'm sure you'll never look back.

You've not got much to loose by trying.

I learnt at 17 but didn't really drive for 7 or 8 years before getting a car and driving regularly.

• having a licence means you can drive if you need/want to, you don't have to drive straight away if that isn't possible.
• I needed to drive to work when I had the kids as I was doing the drop off/collections. The only viable way to do it within the time was to drive.
• DH now has a chronic health condition which means he sometimes can't drive. I can share the driving or drive the whole journey. On some occasions we might have been stranded somewhere if he couldn't drive.

Basically having a licence has been helpful to me even though I didn't drive when I passed my test (many moons ago!)