To be petrified driving on motorways

[mollyfolk]

Anyone else scared of driving on motorways? I'm driving years but mostly within 20km of where I live. I avoid motorways or long distances as much as possible. I have to make a 3 hour journey now on Monday, mostly motorway, and I am already feeling sick about it.

I do breathing exercises to stay calm when driving like this. Has anyone overcome a phobia like this?

Nothing unreasonable at all to not like motorways. It would be less of an issue if those who middle lane hog and others who drive unacceptably or dangerously faced the courts and preferably were banned for a long time.

Look at the suggestion of motorway driving lessons, and for your journey next week, alternative routes.

I did a pass plus after my test which was good

Funnily I would get on the motorway now and do Lancaster to Oxford without blinking
Ask me to drive in a city centre I don't know though... nope

If you're petrified driving on motorways, you shouldn't be driving at all. It's just a road. There is nothing you will encounter on a motorway that you can't encounter on the A road network.

@MikeRafone why at a later date?

I doubt OP will be able to assess this before Monday

if op can assess this type of lesson at a later date it would make her a more confident driver who wasn't feeling sick on Saturday about the thought of a 3 hour drive on Monday - if the same situation arises in the future

I think it depends on how powerful / big your vehicle is too.
I have a small, feeble car and it's turned me into someone who hates motorways. I used to have a small people carrier and never got freaked out while driving.

When I passed my driving test I booked in for a 3 hour motorway lesson, did slip road after slip road, did a lot of slingshots round a roundabout to come off and immediately back onto the same motorway, lots of lane changes. Best thing I ever did also because I lived 3 hours from family most of the route being motorways one onto another sort of thing.

I did this because I learned to drive in a small town which doesn't really give you lots of opportunities to experience new meeting situations etc. I learned to drive in my mid twenties and came from a city.

If you can't get out onto the motorway this weekend there are videos on youtube and definitely book in with a driving instructor to brush up your skills. It isn't just for learner drivers.

If you’re terrified, don’t do it.

Nervous drivers are dangerous drivers.

Because it's highly unlikely to be sorted by Monday 🙄🙄

Been driving 30 years never been on one.

The worst thing about motorway driving is boredom, and delays. Other than that it's pretty easy, once you get used to 70mph. If you stick in the left lane, get behind a van or a truck that isn't going over 60, you can stay there until you feel comfortable enough to move lanes.

I would go by train

Rubbish! I have a bloody fiesta and drive on the motorway every day! If you're not confident or competent to be on a motorway, please stay off them

Same. I feel that I’m basically putting blind trust into strangers- and I don’t trust strangers!

Surely that is any road you go on?

This is how I am. I didn’t drive for ten years after I passed in my teens (never needed to and didn’t have any vehicles available to me to drive). I’m ok driving around the small city I live in because I know it so well but just can’t cope with motorways. The thought of changing lanes terrifies me! It has limited me.

I think it depends on the motorway too. Some aren't really any different to a dual carriageway. Others like the M25 are a different matter altogether! You can't just sit in the LH lane, as they usually turn into the exit lane at junctions so you have to move out if you don't need the exit. It can have 5/6 lanes each way in places. And HGVs everywhere!

True, it’s just another level entirely on motorways

This nails the situation, really. The more you drive on motorways and dual carriageways, the more confident you will be. I used to be scared of them till I realised that actually they are much easier to drive on than normal roads given that you don't have to deal with junctions, lights, cyclists, pedestrians etc.

Its really not

You are safer on the MW than driving in the city. No kids not looking where they are going, dogs, buggies to look out for, people suddenly crossing roads, cyclists dressed in all black…. the list is endless.

Britain has some of the safest MWs in Europe.

In hindsight, you would have booked a few hours with an instructor to up your confidence but truly, honestly, if you can drive on the dual carriageway you can drive on the motorway.

Fears grow and grow the more we let them. Conquer it on Monday and tick it off the list. Done! Xx

It’s a frightening thought that such incompetent drivers are actually on the motorway.

Not sure that's fair. I avoid motorways, I'm a very competent driver. It's other people I'm not so sure about!

Edit: Sorry, meant to quote @masterbeth

"If you're petrified driving on motorways, you shouldn't be driving at all."

I did a speed awareness course recently. Motorways are far safer than A roads.

I’m terrified of joining. Once on the motorway, I am absolutely fine. I took myself on a solo trip 4 weeks after passing my driving test and the motorway was the easiest part. Once I came off onto windy country roads, that’s where I appreciated how straightforward motorways are. I don’t really ever need to go on them now and I feel as though I must find an excuse to use them because the fear is keeping in more the longer I don’t use them.