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Original poster

anyone else suffer from a phobia about driving on motorways? I have to overcome this. Help needed please

141 replies

cruisemum1 · 03/08/2007 16:07

anyone?

OP posts:

DrNortherner · 03/08/2007 16:31

I passed my driving test in December on 5th attempt, was a very anxious driver. In order to see my parents I have to drive on a motorway and I was terrified of the slip road. I must say, anticipation is far worse than actually doing it, that said, I still have to mentally calm myself down when doing it and take deep breaths but I refuse to allow myself to be one of those woman who can only drive around town.

The longer you don't do it the harder it will be imo.

lailasmum · 03/08/2007 16:33

How is your general driving? I used to feel scared because my general driving skills were a bit inexperienced and not that great but now they have improved I find motorways fine because I have the confidence.

FioFio · 03/08/2007 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

nutcracker · 03/08/2007 16:34

My brother is terrified of motorways or driving anywhere he isn't used to.

We went to Bewdley the other week, and even though he was following my other brother, and had sat nav, he was still as grumpy as hell all day because of the driving.

Having said that though, i think it made him realise that it's not as bad as he thinks, as he asked me last week, if i'd go to Liverpool with him(to see where brookside was, yes he is sad), and he would drive

Anna8888 · 03/08/2007 16:49

What kind of car do you have? Lots of women have small cars that are really designed for small journeys, shopping, driving round town etc and they aren't ideal on motorways. If your DH or another member of your family has a bigger car, try practicing with that - you'll feel much safer in a bigger, more powerful car for starters.

lailasmum · 03/08/2007 17:07

I'd agree with that. Gives you the welly for overtaking too without struggling if you do decide to.

Original poster

cruisemum1 · 03/08/2007 17:24

i have a new nissan micra, so fairly 'girly' but reliable too.

OP posts:

Anna8888 · 03/08/2007 17:31

Nice car, but for practising on the motorway I'd try to get your hands on something bigger - it really helps, in fact you might be converted to all that speed and power

Lizzzombie · 03/08/2007 17:35

I'm the same, absolutely HATE driving on motorways. Especially with LO in the car.
We have a very old car too, which makes odd noises. I just keep in the slow lane and maintain a steady pace. Don't try to rush, and when I have to overtake anyone I count to ten before hand to calm down. Also, it really helps to play happy music you can sing along to, I find the Beatles excellent for this!

SlightlyMadSpider · 03/08/2007 18:00

Why don't you try and book yourself a motorway refresher lesson with a local driving instructor. It is likely to boost your confidence no end. Depending how far you are from Mway it will probably be a 2 hr lesson but is worth considering.

bobsyouruncle · 03/08/2007 18:21

It's the slip roads with me too, hate them, can't look, make decision and stop car veering in wrong direction at same time

lailasmum · 03/08/2007 19:51

That's just practise. I used to always steer in the direction i was looking, then suddenly it stopped and sorted it self out. There is also that split vision thing which takes a while to acquire, when you can look straight ahead and be looking in the rear view mirror at the same time sort of in the corner of your eye. Then when things move around behind you unexpectedly you get a bit of notice.

themoon66 · 03/08/2007 19:56

I soon got over my fear by driving right down through France and into Spain on motorways with very short slip roads in a right hand drive car.

Totally unfazed by british ones now... apart from M25, which I refuse to do unless it is nighttime and quiet.

lailasmum · 03/08/2007 19:57

The french seem to have slightly better motorway manners though.

lilolilmanchester · 03/08/2007 20:52

totally agree with the idea of getting extra lessons. It's mad that we can learn to drive without going on motorways and then be let loose. No wonder you and many others are frightened of the prospect. I too had a bit of a thing about motorways, but had to drive with my job so soon got over it. A few lessons will give you confidence, and a few hints and tips to make it easier and safer. Then you've just got to go for it I'm afraid. If it makes you feel any better, I heard of someone once who had a phobia about turning right. So would add miles to their journey just to avoid right turns. Que?

Tigi · 03/08/2007 21:13

I just worry about getting lost, forever!

unknownrebelbang · 03/08/2007 21:17

Motorway driving is the easiest driving you can do, but I understand the fear of the sliproad.

In reality it's never that bad, but I'd second the suggestion that you seek out a few lessons, or get a good supportive friend to go with you a couple of times.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 03/08/2007 21:22

i was absolutly shit scared of motor way driving after i passed my test aqlmost 2years ago (OMG is it that long ago ). but know i can drive anywhere and on any motorway.

the slip roads are scary as hell, no denying that, but once you practise and do it more often then it gets easier. even though 6months after passwing my test i would easily go on the M25, i wouldnt go on the A1(m), which meant my trips to harfield took an extra 15mins as i would take the back lanes to get to that same point the A1 would take me to. So one day, i thought 'f*ck this) and just did a section of the A1 from welwyn to stevenage. just one junction. then back again. did that for a couple of weeks, then got up my nreve to do it in the other diurection, again just one junction, under the hatfield tunnel. was a doddle, no idea why i was so scared of it. now, i do it without thinking. i can take my kids on holidays, days out, take myself to ikea in london, drive almost everywhere. and without sat nav.

Bluestocking · 03/08/2007 21:23

I agree with everyone who's said have some lessons - I had a motorway lesson a few days after I passed my test (this is back in the jurassic where you only really had to worry about hitting a stegosaurus in the slow lane) and it was the best thing I could have done. The instructor will tell you exactly how to approach the slip road and join the traffic safely, and once you've got the idea it's the easiest thing, honest!

themoon66 · 03/08/2007 21:34

TBH i think if you live down south it is a lot more difficult for you.

My worst slip road/junction has to be the M621 in and out of Leeds, where I need to come on or off the M62. Where it's 5 lanes of chaos.

This is still easy peasy compared to M25 though.

delllie · 03/08/2007 22:57

I don't actually mind being on the motorway, its the slip road to it that I am scared about, especially when there is some impatient arse that has to overtake you on there .

kid · 03/08/2007 23:05

I have been driving for 13 years and have only ever driven on the motorway a maximum of 2 or 3 times. I hate motorways, they terrify me.

I am getting slightly better now by facing my fear. I have started using dual carraigeways which are just as bad as motorways if you ask me! I can only go on them with my SatNav for directions otherwise I wouldn't even attempt it.

I love the fact that motorways and A roads take you directly to where you need to go, but I can't handle all the other cars on them.

cadelaide · 03/08/2007 23:15

my mum does.
she once got on the mw "accidentally", panicked, and had to have a police escort to the next junction.

Original poster

cruisemum1 · 04/08/2007 11:14

thanks fopr all posts! cadelaide - your poor mum . Taht sounds like something taht could happen to me... I have gone on to the aa routefinder site and found an A road alternative to the journeys i have to do in the next three weeks (one Croydon to Fleet, Croydon to Worthing, Croydon to Eastbourne) and ws feeling really positive and almost excited about tackling these journeys but now this morning I am feeling anxious and light headed again. grrrrrrr at myself!

OP posts:

Cammelia · 04/08/2007 11:34

People don't believe me when I say that I last drove on a motorway in 1978 but its true It was the M4.

Nowadays dh always drives when we go on the m/way, he has driven all over Europe on the autobahns, autoroutes etc

I don't even like the slip roads on to fast A roads fgs.

I drive on every other type of road though not massively keen on teeny tiny country lanes.

My favourite roads are good straight roads, I like dual carriageways so I can get past slow people and I'm an expert town driver, I'm a better driver in places like Brighton than dh.

I don't even like the slip roads on to fast A roads fgs.

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