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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:

America12 · 20/12/2022 19:25

@slinkydinkydonkey did you do the drive ?
I can't understand the fear , I'll drive anywhere but have a friend like you and would never ridicule anyone ?

Plantmoretrees86 · 20/12/2022 19:42

I'm exactly the same. If I have to go somewhere new, I use Google Street view to 'drive' round all the junctions and roundabouts before I set off. It helps me to have seen the lanes etc before I go and to have scoped out potential parking spaces. Still dread it though! But it's rarely as bad as I fear so I wish I could relax about it more...

QueefQueen80s · 21/12/2022 09:17

Well this thread puts me off learning to drive 😂
I didn't know so many driving women feel like this. I thought once you can drive you can go anywhere.

bloodyeverlastinghell · 21/12/2022 14:58

QueefQueen80s · 21/12/2022 09:17

Well this thread puts me off learning to drive 😂
I didn't know so many driving women feel like this. I thought once you can drive you can go anywhere.

Maybe you have a more exciting life than me but Vast majority of driving is repetitive. Commute to work, school run, supermarket etc. Driving somewhere new is only stressful the first time. How often do you go to new places?

BedTaker · 21/12/2022 15:25

Plantmoretrees86 · 20/12/2022 19:42

I thought I was the only one who did this, thank god for Google maps eh?!

I've definitely got worse as I've got older with anxiety about driving, although I've gained a bit of ground back in the last couple of years. The best way to overcome these fears is to do it more often (unfortunately! )

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 21/12/2022 22:36

@QueefQueen80s please don't let this thread lit you off learning to drive. I'm shocked to see so many women anxious about driving.

I love driving. Love the freedom it gives me and it doesn't bother me driving anywhere.

I wonder if men feel anxious about driving?

OP, or any of you that say you feel anxious, what do you think is going to happen? Do you worry about getting lost? Crashing? What is it that you're anxious about?

mdinbc · 21/12/2022 22:53

Agree with Plantmoretrees to use google maps street view. Take some time to follow the journey and have a look at all the turns and intersections, and also find the parking lot in advance.

In my family I am the navigator, DH the driver. He is more tense than I am, and he tends to get a bit freaked out if the route isn't going as planned. There have been times where I've told him to pull over while we both have a look at the map. Sometimes if you use Satnav for directions it isn't always logical, but most of the time it is right!

Amoreena · 21/12/2022 23:42

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 21/12/2022 22:36

@QueefQueen80s please don't let this thread lit you off learning to drive. I'm shocked to see so many women anxious about driving.

I love driving. Love the freedom it gives me and it doesn't bother me driving anywhere.

I wonder if men feel anxious about driving?

OP, or any of you that say you feel anxious, what do you think is going to happen? Do you worry about getting lost? Crashing? What is it that you're anxious about?

Yes, some men are anxious drivers. My next door neighbour is. His wife is very confident. My parents have neighbours where the woman has always done all the driving. The man did learn to drive, but apparently "didn't see hazards" so his wife decided it was best she do all the driving.

Amoreena · 21/12/2022 23:46

I drive, but tend to use coaches, trains or buses a lot as I don't like driving. I don't get driven by anyone (I'm a widow) so it doesn't impinge on anyone. I live somewhere that's really convenient for public transport. A short walk from a bus stop and train stop and can get the train to a coach station.

Amoreena · 21/12/2022 23:50

Just remembered my uncle said he's got a poor sense of direction when driving too and doesn't like it. So that's 3 men I know who either don't drive or say they aren't confident

Amoreena · 22/12/2022 00:01

There's a current thread in AIBU with lots of people saying their dh doesn't drive. I should say I have always taxied my kids around when needed. It's just that now they are more independent I'm enjoying using public transport more

mathanxiety · 22/12/2022 00:14

I don't enjoy it but I go on Google maps beforehand so I know where to exit, turn, etc.

mellicauli · 22/12/2022 00:47

I hate doing this too. But I find it helps if I do a dry run on Google Maps first (drag the little person on to map so it looks like you're in the car). YOu know what to look out for then

Patienceisntvirtuous · 22/12/2022 03:17

I'll do it, but I'd rather not. I don't like it, especially nowadays-so busy, hidden lanes, not being able to figure out where you're meant to turn which lane you're meant to be in where bus lanes are hidden exits strangely set out cities... Luckily my DP prefers to drive. She doesn't understand why it bothers me-she's not horrible to me about it though.

stillvicarinatutu · 22/12/2022 03:19

I hear you op . I used to always have to do a dummy run . With someone say next to me .

I started to force myself to do it but I need the comfort of Google maps on the phone ....

MickeyMouseShithouse · 22/12/2022 03:47

Yes I have this anxiety, especially when it means going to or through a city, as I live rurally and that’s what I know. I feel better if I have a passenger though.. almost like moral support😂 and everytime I drive somewhere new, nothing bad ever happens.. yet I still hate it 🙄🙄

Bimbleberries · 22/12/2022 03:54

I wish there was a good way to drive through the Google route automatically somehow, speeding up and slowing down when needed to look at junctions. You seem to just have to keep clicking forward and it takes forever.

QueefQueen80s · 24/12/2022 12:58

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 21/12/2022 22:36

@QueefQueen80s please don't let this thread lit you off learning to drive. I'm shocked to see so many women anxious about driving.

I love driving. Love the freedom it gives me and it doesn't bother me driving anywhere.

I wonder if men feel anxious about driving?

OP, or any of you that say you feel anxious, what do you think is going to happen? Do you worry about getting lost? Crashing? What is it that you're anxious about?

Thanks for this! I do know a few women personally the same, they won't drive anywhere new so it limits them.
I just assumed if you get lost or take a wrong turn that you can turn around somewhere? Carry on to next roundabout?
I just don't get it, if someone knows how to control a car and knows the rules of the road then why all this anxiety? It saddens me that there are all these unconfident women around doubting their skills.

RoseMartha · 24/12/2022 16:16

I did a dummy run on google the other day, but that I mean I was on the pc and went on googlemaps street view and moved along the road like I was actually there. Lol

It helped though when I came to actually drive it, also using the sat nav.

SouperNoodle · 25/12/2022 01:19

I drove the furthest I've driven, in the dark, to somewhere I don't know at all and back again this evening!
I'm sooooo proud of myself 😁

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