Overthinking everything after driving - anxiety

[BeBlueAnt]

I passed my test in September and have been driving to and from work almost everyday (plus driving to shops on weekends). Recently I've made a few mistakes when driving such as driving through an amber light when I could have stopped, or just stupid things like lane disapline and being slightly over my line etc. This has caused me to become obsessed with checking the dash cam footage after every drive to analyse my mistakes or how the drive went.

It has really caused my anxiety to skyrocket and fixate on small mistakes for hours after driving.

My drive to and from work is usually 100% with no problems, the anxiety mostly comes from drives to new places or roads/roundabouts I've not been on before.
I am an anxious person anyway, but have found my anxiety worse in the past few weeks.

I'm sure there are plenty of others out there like me who just worry over the small things. Any advice or anything you would recommend to a new driver starting their driving journey?

Ditch the dash cam!!

I have to agree that the dash cam may not be helping!

I did refresher lessons in my 40s. I kept my P plate on for nearly 2 years. Definitely helped as other drivers were kinder to me.

No answers just solidarity. I have a note on my phone to refresh on the Highway Code as I know sometimes little things crop up. Also its a good habit to check the route before hand if it's new. I have a satnav and it's made me lazy in that respect but I'm going to make sure I do in future.

I'm the same OP...I have to check out any new route I'm driving so that I can get in the right lane early to avoid lane swapping etc. I think passing your test shows that you're safe to drive but the real learning comes after! There's no way I could cope with a dash cam just hold on to the fact that you were safe enough to pass, which isn't easy these days!

I would go back to your instructor for a top up lesson and explain how you feel to him or her. I think new driver anxiety is real and they should be able to reassure you

My daughter was like this when she first passed her test. She worried about mistakes and thought about a dash cam - but then decided it would probably make her more obsessed!

Perhaps get rid of it and speak to your instructor about a few confidence building lessons. You've passed and your safe and competent, but a couple of extra lessons might help you believe it!

My daughter just found the more she drove the less anxious she was and after a while she was a lot more relaxed. Hopefully this will be the same for you too.

We all make little errors now and again - amber lights, being in the wrong lane - it's natural and as you gain experience you will come to realise that and won't beat yourself up so much. Hang in there!

Honestly everyone goes through the occasional amber light and is occasionally over the mid-line of the road/lane line. Unless it’s a really serious traffic infraction it’s classed as a mistake and you’re not going to get pulled over and thrown in jail for it honestly. I promise. Make a commitment to leave the dashcam in the car, and only take it down if you have an actual accident and need to download the footage for your insurer. Things will improve the more you drive. You will realise that things aren’t such a big deal xx

Oh god OP, I feel your pain- I’m just the same! I’ve been driving a bit longer and can hopefully reassure you it does get easier. At first I was agonising over every little thing. After a few months of driving I have realised my ‘crimes’ were actually really quite minor and there are lots of very very bad drivers out there who do far worse errors that they don’t seem to even care about! You sound conscientious and keen to improve your skills which is a positive. I can totally relate though, it’s so hard not to dwell on things you think you have done wrong