Does anyone know how to deal with a nervous/uptight driver (apart from just not driving with them)?
A good friend of mine is normally very chill but something about driving sets her off. Not exactly road rage but sort of grousing about other drivers and traffic, jerky driving like rushing up to red lights and hitting the brakes abruptly. Not slowing down for speed bumps. Others have noticed it too and it's a joke among our group. She's empirically a safe driver, has never had an accident, but just hates driving.
I did have a talk with her once and she got better, but today after a get-together we agreed that I'd accompany her on an errand in her car and then walk to my home through a park when the errand was done. (Neither of us had been drinking so it wasn't like she was resentful of being the designated driver.) It was the first time in a long time that I'd been in a car with her.
We'd all had a nice morning and the mood was fine.
It was like a complete change came over her the second she got behind the wheel. She missed a turn and got really angry at herself, then got very aggressive in her driving, running yellow lights, not yielding to people, even a couple of reckless moves. Muttering and seething to herself the whole time.
I finally said I fancied getting out and taking my walk early. She pulled over and I popped out with a quick "bye". I was honestly really worried for both of our safety. It was like Jeckle and Hyde.
I don't know whether it's worth chatting with her again or just leaving it and deciding I'm never going to ride with her again.