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Original poster

Does anyone else HATE driving places they don't know?

170 replies

slinkydinkydonkey · 17/09/2022 17:49

Me and DH have had a massive argument because of this and it stresses me out so much. I have always hated driving places that I don't know where I'm going - I can't explain why but it causes me extreme anxiety and I just hate it. My DH on the other hand doesn't get this at all and calls me ridiculous and he cannot understand why I get so panicked about this.

Am I weird or does anyone else get this?

OP posts:
generalh · 17/09/2022 22:07

I can drive anywhere but if I am not guaranteed a parking space I get all anxious. It stems from going out for the day to a popular seaside town and not being able to park anywhere (that I could find or knew).

Joystir59 · 17/09/2022 22:13

I couldn't do it withou sat nav

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 17/09/2022 22:13

generalh · 17/09/2022 22:07

I can drive anywhere but if I am not guaranteed a parking space I get all anxious. It stems from going out for the day to a popular seaside town and not being able to park anywhere (that I could find or knew).

This. I will happily whizz up and down motorways or navigate across country lanes, but the two things that cause me to break into a sweat are city centres with ring roads/one way systems, and uncertain parking arrangement - often the two go hand in hand.

duvetfan · 17/09/2022 22:15

I feel exactly the same as you. I get very anxious, stressed and panicky. In fact I hate driving full stop, I only do it out of necessity.

Fifiellz · 17/09/2022 22:18

I'm absolutely fine in the daytime but in the dark I really hate it. Used to be fine it's crept up with age I think.

duvetfan · 17/09/2022 22:19

Oh and I'm not 'dithery'. I am actually a fairly decent driver and have been driving a long time.

asblindasabat · 17/09/2022 22:20

@slinkydinkydonkey I can relate to this on so many levels.

I love driving and I have no problems driving in places I’m familiar with.

But I absolutely driving in areas I’ve never driven in before / am unfamiliar with.

I always use Google Maps on my car play for directions but not knowing what lanes to be in / where exactly I’m going stresses me out.

Smellywellyhoo · 17/09/2022 22:26

If you can't drive anywhere new I would question your competence because you can't cope with unfamiliar situation or read roads very well. Reading about all the nervy and anxious drivers in this thread makes me think there are a lot of people who should be off the road and who I wouldn't want driving near me.

asblindasabat · 17/09/2022 22:32

Smellywellyhoo · 17/09/2022 22:26

If you can't drive anywhere new I would question your competence because you can't cope with unfamiliar situation or read roads very well. Reading about all the nervy and anxious drivers in this thread makes me think there are a lot of people who should be off the road and who I wouldn't want driving near me.

I wouldn’t say that’s strictly true.

I don’t particularly like driving in new areas / unfamiliar settings but I always do my research before I go.

I look up Google Maps, I use Google Street View so I know what such areas will look like/ how the road is laid out and I work out what lanes I need to be in.

I also use Google Maps directions on my car play and it speaks to me whilst I’m driving so I know where I need to go.

So whilst I’m nervous in new areas, I’m as prepared as I can be so that I’m not fretting whilst I’m driving.

Fullmoonagain · 17/09/2022 22:35

I know what you mean. When I'm going somewhere I don't know I have to plan the route, have Google map with directions on my phone and leave early, this helps. I think this stems from driving familiar routes all the time and DH doing motorway driving. Also getting older! When I was younger, in my 20's I would drive around the country visiting friends without a care in the world!

RaraRachael · 17/09/2022 22:51

duvetfan · 17/09/2022 22:15

I feel exactly the same as you. I get very anxious, stressed and panicky. In fact I hate driving full stop, I only do it out of necessity.

Me too. Glad I've got my free bus pass now. My driving consists of a weekly trip to Tesco 🤣

LondonQueen · 17/09/2022 22:55

I do! It's not bad in the day but the second it gets dark it's awful.

ThickCutSteakChips · 17/09/2022 23:01

It's probably fairly normal to get a bit anxious about driving somewhere you don't know, it's naturally going to be more stressful than going places you know well.

I worry about being in the wrong lane for junctions and stuff like that, and agree that not knowing where I'm going to park is the worst!

Google maps and street view has been a godsend though!

allboysherebutme · 17/09/2022 23:39

I'm exactly the same, I like familiar. X

Hotandbothereds · 17/09/2022 23:44

Smellywellyhoo · 17/09/2022 22:26

If you can't drive anywhere new I would question your competence because you can't cope with unfamiliar situation or read roads very well. Reading about all the nervy and anxious drivers in this thread makes me think there are a lot of people who should be off the road and who I wouldn't want driving near me.

I agree, I’m not a nervous driver at all but all these people panicking if they take a wrong turn or unable to join a motorway makes me concerned about the competence of other people on the roads around me.

Hotandbothereds · 17/09/2022 23:48

slinkydinkydonkey · 17/09/2022 21:56

@ToooOldForThis it's strange is it it?!? I drive motorways all the time and actually don't mind that. I have no idea what started my fear. I've driving 20 years so I'm not new to it all either. I very rarely need to ever drive anywhere new or where I do t know so I don't imagine I'll really do much about it.

I honestly don’t think you’re doing yourself any favours by not addressing this, what happens next time your son would like a lift, or if there was an emergency?

You’ve recognised this is limiting you, wouldn’t it be better to at least try and resolve it?

SarahShorty · 17/09/2022 23:50

Smellywellyhoo · 17/09/2022 22:26

If you can't drive anywhere new I would question your competence because you can't cope with unfamiliar situation or read roads very well. Reading about all the nervy and anxious drivers in this thread makes me think there are a lot of people who should be off the road and who I wouldn't want driving near me.

In which case you best not get in your car again. I'll tell you a second time; Being anxious with regards to being in unfamiliar territory is understandable, it does not make the driver incompetent. It's not like they're crashing into things while frantically looking around for signs, is it? Have you had someone crash into your living room and ask you where Sainsbury's is?

generalh · 18/09/2022 06:31

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 17/09/2022 22:13

This. I will happily whizz up and down motorways or navigate across country lanes, but the two things that cause me to break into a sweat are city centres with ring roads/one way systems, and uncertain parking arrangement - often the two go hand in hand.

Show quote history

Not just me then! 😊

Hyacinth2 · 18/09/2022 06:45

This is ridiculous nowadays with google maps / satnav - are you driving with the Road Map of Britain balanced on your knees.
The great thing about sat nav is if you do take a wrong turn it guides you back to the correct route again. I don't see how you can fail using it.

BruhWhy · 18/09/2022 06:56

Hate it. I'll study Google maps so I know what to expect when and memorise landmarks.

Like oh this is the big roundabout next to a tesco, after this there's a small stretch of A2, then I have to come off at the roundabout with a petrol garage etc.

If I don't do that I'm tense and anxious. I only passed a month ago but I don't see this changing, I'm naturally this sort of person and I do think you either are or you aren't.

Hotandbothereds · 18/09/2022 06:57

Being anxious with regards to being in unfamiliar territory is understandable, it does not make the driver incompetent.

Being prepared for a new route, checking you’ve got the right postcode and Sat nav sorted, looking ahead of where you might park is all understandable and sensible.

Avoiding not driving anywhere you don’t know full stop is something I’d only expect from very new/inexperienced drivers and a starting point to build on.

I don’t think that level of anxiety when someone has been driving for years is common and if it was my partner I’d be very frustrated by a lack of at least wanting to try and do anything about it.

Oblomov22 · 18/09/2022 07:56

I don't get anxious about anything. Plus I love driving.

Have you thought this through. What are you actually scared of? Always think the worst case scenario and then you'll find it's not that bad. What's the worst thing that can happen here?

you end up with a ticket and have to pay £60? you go in the wrong direction, get lost? Have to stop and ask at a petrol station? and it takes you 15 more minutes to get back to the Place you are supposed to be? So what? Who cares?

Zippedydoo123 · 18/09/2022 08:08

I am 58. Since coming up to the menopause at 56 I have hated driving. Next year once 60 I get my free bus pass. I already try to walk everywhere and this gets me fitter plus saves on petrol.

I am planning to make this my last car to be honest. Waste of money and although handy there are plenty of buses and trains to use. I try to use the car no more than twice a week. I work at home and Asd a does home delivery.

An expensive luxury to be honest.

RaraRachael · 18/09/2022 08:35

Zippedydoo123 · 18/09/2022 08:08

I am 58. Since coming up to the menopause at 56 I have hated driving. Next year once 60 I get my free bus pass. I already try to walk everywhere and this gets me fitter plus saves on petrol.

I am planning to make this my last car to be honest. Waste of money and although handy there are plenty of buses and trains to use. I try to use the car no more than twice a week. I work at home and Asd a does home delivery.

An expensive luxury to be honest.

This could be me. I never thought of the menopause connection. I Used to be able to drive anywhere.

Happylittlethoughts · 18/09/2022 08:38

Me! Despite it working out fine, even when lost!
It's the nature of anxiety though. Illogical. Doesn't matter about good driving skills, experience, problems solving or Sat Nav. It's fecking annoying