to fear motorway driving?

[steben]

Has anyone overcome this and if so how? I have been driving for about 2 years and cannot bring myself to go on the motorway - but it is a fear I really want to get over so that I am not restricted in where I can go. A few years ago I witnessed a really bad accident which is where I think a lot of the fear stems from - and I have only really just now built up my confidence to drive locally.

I have always been perfectly confident driving on motorways, but am an absolute nervous wreck when towing my horse trailer on one, so I can understand how you feel.

Lessons are the way forward.

I was explaining to my DD the other day about driving tests, and how they don't (or at least didn't) teach you how to park. I had several friends who passed their tests at 17, set out gleefully into town on their own, drove round for half an hour and then came home again as they were scared of parallel parking

I was afraid of motorway driving until I started my current job. It was getting on and off of the motorway that scared me the most! Now I drive all day and am constantly on and off of the m25. Now I find myself relaxing when I'm on the motorway! Much easier than driving around towns. Everyone's going in the same direction, no one stopping dead in front of you and you can just sit back.

Definately get some lessons with an instructor. In no time you'll be nipping onto the motorway with ease.

Just don't do your first motorway in rush hour. And get a coulpe of lessons.
Motorway driving really is the easiest driving - other motorway drivers mostly know what they are doing, the lorries go slower. Just look far ahead.

You need to get on it before it becomes a big issue.

I passed my test in 1983 but I've never owned my own car until we got a "family" car fairly recently and I've never driven on a regular basis. I utterly detest driving in any shape or form but the only place I'm remotely comfortable doing it is on motorways/dual carriageways. Everyone is going the same way, you don't have to worry about whether you can fit through any gaps and there are no tricky corners or junctions.

My DW (a very good driver) doesn't let me drive unless it's an emergency as she finds it too stressful.

I permanently feel like I'm seconds away from a major accident when I'm behind the wheel and she's of the same opinion; the one time I did hit something it was almost a relief (and not entirely my fault).

However, you should try the freeways in the US. Shocking road surfaces, lorries far larger than ours and without the side bars to stop you going underneath and on occasion exit slip roads come out of the outside lane. Dreadful signage as well.

If you are in the south, try going on the a303 which then turns into the M3, you don't have to do anything but all of a sudden... You are on a motorway! That's how I got over my motorway fear anyway!

Mumofaflump I hear ya, that's exactly how I did it too (that being my 'local' road lol).

Great comments and advice from everyone! Thanks - concernedaboutthis - this is my fear also...that and lorries joining andbeing in too much of a panic to move across - and motorways merging! I need to get over myself and get o it - a lesson or two and maybe some confidence building sunday evenings ar my action plan i reckon. Really want to get to stage where i can take DC on - but i dont know if i ever will - i drive locally everyhwere with her but the motorway..i dont know - even though the stats are good it jut terrifies me!

I find a sat nav helpful to warn me of merging lanes etc. The slip road is best practised on at night I found. You can see all of their lights so find it easier to judge?

I don't like motorway driving, but I can do if I have to.

KatieWatie - Small world! I love the A303. I live just off it in Dorset, my parents live at one end in Honiton and the inlaws live at the other in Basingstoke!

YABU compared to driving around town in traffic,a( idiot drivers, changing gears etc) motorway driving is a doodle. Plus the roads are of a better quality too.

^