Anxiety when driving at night
Driving Anxiety at Night and How to Overcome Your Fear
Ellen Christian
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Last Updated on October 1, 2022 by Ellen Christian
Do you have driving anxiety at night like I do? If you have anxiety driving at night, check out these tips and find out more here.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ll be honest. I don’t do a lot of nighttime driving. When I run errands, I prefer to go out during the day when it’s light out. Since I work at home, I have that flexibility, but I didn’t always.
I can remember when I used to worry about having to drive at night because it was harder for me to see.
Table of Contents
I thought it was just me, but it turns out that driving anxiety at night is something that many people experience.
Did you know that 40% of people over 40 feel uncomfortable driving at night? This can be caused by a number of different reasons including deteriorating eye health.
It’s not as easy to see at night because there is less light and you need to deal with the glare from oncoming traffic.
If you combine these two factors with driving in an unfamiliar area, you can see why so many people feel less comfortable with night driving. Here are a few tips to overcome driving anxiety at night that I hope will help you feel more confident behind the wheel.
What is the fear of driving at night called?
Many people have a fear of driving at night. The phobia is called vehophobia. While many people have driving anxiety at night because it is more difficult to see, others have this anxiety for different reasons.
Know Where You’re Going
I don’t go anywhere new without having the address programmed into my GPS. I don’t want to have to look for street signs or mess with a map while I’m driving.
And, I prefer a GPS that gives me verbal directions so I can keep my eyes on the road at all times. If you don’t have a GPS, look for an app for your smartphone that will do the same thing.
Why You’re Uncomfortable Driving At Night from FabOverFifty.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Make sure that you have emergency supplies in your car in case of an accident or a breakdown. I recommend that you sign up for a site like AAA so you can have your vehicle towed and you can get to a safe location in case you need it.
You’ll also want to be certain to have road flares, maps, a jack to change your tire, and a car phone charger in your trunk.
How do I become confident driving alone?
One of the best ways to overcome anxiety in any situation is by practice.
Make yourself go out at night and drive. It can help with anxiety.
In the beginning, drive around your neighborhood or to an area that you know very well. Drive to places- like your doctor’s office or your favorite coffee shop.
Once you feel comfortable driving to those locations at night, go a few blocks further each time. You’ll notice you’re not as nervous driving at night as you practice more.
How can I see better driving at night?
EyePromise Vizual Edge is an advanced, high-quality formula containing the highest level of dietary Zeaxanthin and other essential ingredients to both protect and improve vision. Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin), is the primary pigment in the macula in the back of the eye.
This improves and protects your central vision. Thicker or more “dense” macular pigment is like having “internal sunglasses” that protects and enhances your vision.
It also improves contrast to notice all movements on the road and notice details on and off the street This can help you overcome anxiety driving at night.
EyePromise is backed by more than 20 years of research. EyePromise vizual EDGE is available in softgels and in citrus-flavored chewables.
The formula also helps fight against Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is the most common cause of blindness in people over 55. Learn more about eye health in this article.
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If you enjoyed this article about how to overcome driving anxiety at night, you might want to check out these important car seat safety tips.
And, learn more about winter car care tips by creating a winter preparedness and car emergency kit.
Ellen Christian
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.
com to chat.
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Why do I get anxiety when I drive at night?
I am completely fine with driving during the day to get to work and/or run errands. However, I get very anxious when I drive at night. Why do I feel this way?
Tiffany Leung · Answered on Feb 01, 2022
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sorry to hear that driving at night makes you anxious! You may be experiencing anxiety while driving at night because of a fear of accidents, a lack of experience, and/or a lack of driving confidence. The fear of driving is quite common, and it’s specifically termed vehophobia.
Here are some tips that can help you feel less anxious while night-driving:
- Set your GPS: Knowing your destination and the exact route you will be taking can help ease some of your worries.
- Check traffic: Look for alternative routes if you aren’t comfortable driving with many cars around. This will help minimize the risk of accidents.
- Listen to music: Calming and non-distracting music can help reduce anxiety.
- Bring a co-pilot: As you work up your confidence, bring a companion with you to keep you company.
- Familiarize yourself with the routes at night: Roads can look very different at night, which can contribute to anxiety. Getting to know what they look like at night will give you a sense of familiarity and lessen the fear.
Getting the right car insurance and knowing you’ll be covered can also help lessen your anxiety. Using the insurance broker app, Jerry, you can easily find cheap car insurance.
Answering a few questions after creating an account will help Jerry find customized quotes from over 50 top insurance companies. The average user saves $887 per year in car insurance just by getting it through Jerry!
MORE: 14 safe driving tips
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Here's how to overcome the fear of driving
How to get rid of the fear of driving novice drivers.
All of us have reasonable anxiety while driving. After all, in the event of a car collision, the consequences can be fatal. That's why they don't let everyone out on the road. Otherwise, the road would have turned into a battlefield. Therefore, before driving on a public road, all drivers need to be trained at a driving school and then pass theoretical and practical exams at the traffic police.
But, alas, many newcomers, having received a license, are afraid of a car like fire. Some are afraid to even approach him. At such moments, many people think that in vain they studied for rights and bought a car. Do not rush to draw such conclusions. Believe me, hundreds of thousands of drivers have gone through a similar fear. How to overcome the fear of driving? That's what we're going to tell you about today.
See also: 10 facts that will change your driving skills
Of course, if you are terrified of getting behind the wheel, then there is nothing good in it.
After all, your fear, and therefore uncertainty, carries huge risks. The fact is that in addition to knowing the Rules of the Road and the ability to drive a vehicle, the main guarantee of road safety is confidence in your driving abilities. If you do not have confidence in your actions behind the wheel, then there is a panic fear of getting behind the wheel.
Fear of driving is called Vephophobia . And the worst thing is that if you have developed such a fear in yourself, then it will not be easy to get rid of it. But you can. If you want to regain your confidence while driving and get rid of the fear of driving, we will tell you step by step how to do this.
What is fear of driving?
Like any fear or phobia, the fear of driving requires mental exercise in order to overcome it. It's not easy, unlike some of the other fears. The fact is that, unlike other fears, the fear of driving is hard to avoid. To understand what fear of driving is, we must look at the causes.
Unfortunately, some causes of Vephophobia are very difficult to understand. Yes, many of them are easy to install. But there are some reasons that are very difficult to get to the bottom of.
Many people who are afraid of driving have acquired fear, for example, after being in an accident or witnessing a major accident. This form of fear appears in the background of post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of people being overwhelmed by the event after an incident on the road. And to cope with such fear oh how difficult it is. After all, we are such creatures that always put ourselves in the place of other people in certain situations. So when we see an accident, we often imagine ourselves in the place of the participants in the accident. This is how panic phobia comes about. If you yourself became a participant in the accident, then the fear of getting behind the wheel again is also guaranteed.
Sometimes the fear of getting behind the wheel is not related to any events seen.
Sometimes it is caused by a specific phobia. Such a phobia is called irrational. It is a form of human anxiety in which the brain associates a particular object, experience, or situation with feelings of panic and fear.
Also, sometimes a person may even have several phobias of fear of driving, which in combination give rise to incredible fear. For some people, the resulting heightened sense of anxiety can even lead to a panic attack.
Panic attacks while driving can be not only very unpleasant, but also endanger the lives of all road users. Indeed, during a panic, a person partially loses the reality of what is happening and ceases to carefully control the road. For example, if you start to panic while driving, you may become so frightened that you jerk the steering wheel sharply, driving the car to the side of the road, causing the car to fall into a ditch.
There are other, less well-understood causes of driving anxiety. For example, these fears may be part of another phobia not directly related to the car.
So, such third-party fears may be part of another type of anxiety disorder, or in general may be associated with problems with the human psyche. If the fear of driving is a symptom of another disorder, then the underlying disorder must be treated first. Only by curing the underlying mental illness can one overcome third-party fear (for example, associated with the fear of driving).
Whatever the cause of your fear, dealing with it requires mental fortitude and patience. Without special exercises for your brain, you will not get rid of the fear of driving and, most likely, will remain a pedestrian.
Relaxation techniques to overcome fear of driving
Like any anxiety disorder, coping with fear of driving can take many different approaches. Each approach is different for each individual and of course depends on the intensity of the fear. As we said, every person, while driving, experiences fear and even some fear. And up to a certain threshold of fear, this fear is quite normal, since ordinary and normal fears do not interfere with driving.
Thanks to this fear or apprehension, we are driving as concentrated and attentive as possible, which only improves our safety.
Fear of driving becomes a problem when it prevents you from driving. Some people may have a slightly different form of fear of driving, known as amaxophobia. This is the fear of riding in a car, regardless of where the person is sitting: in the driver's or passenger's seat.
Such fear makes driving almost impossible.
Coping with anxiety requires different configurations of relaxation techniques. For example, if your fear of driving is relatively mild, then the right mood before you get behind the wheel may be enough. Here are some examples how to do it:
Meditation: is a form of relaxation that is designed to work with the mind and body in order to create harmony. Some people consider this method a spiritual practice. Others believe that it is simply useful for dealing with everyday stress.
Breathing exercises: Breathing is usually part of meditation. But even without meditation, taking long, deep breaths can help you calm down, especially if you start to get very nervous while driving.
Create a stress-free environment: Anyone who is initially afraid to leave the house to drive knows what it's like to get over yourself. But in the end, most novice drivers, overcoming fear, leave the house and go to their car. Further, sitting behind the wheel, the main thing is to take the first independent steps. Further more. But what is the secret of such overcoming some invisible barrier? How do novice drivers cope with their fear? Everything is very simple. The main thing is attitude. That is, before you get into the car, you must begin to think correctly, setting yourself up only for the positive. No negativity and no winding up in the head! Especially outside the car. Remember that at home you should rest and not think about the car.
Listen to relaxing music: No, we do not recommend listening to music while driving that helps you fall asleep at night. We advise those who are very nervous while driving to listen to soothing music that will help you relax while driving.
Calm yourself: remember that you and I are very complex creatures. But even the most persistent and balanced people can have breakdowns. The fact is that everyone's nerves are not iron. Therefore, each of us must learn to relax and rest. For example, you can visit spas periodically, get a massage, or just watch appropriate soothing movies before bed. Thanks to this relaxation, you will not only relieve the accumulated stress, but also, perhaps, get rid of the fear of driving.
Mantras: Think of phrases for yourself that give you a positive attitude. You can also compose special mantras to calm down while driving. Some may think that such phrases are unlikely to help while moving.
But believe me, many of these clichés really work.
All of these simple relaxation techniques are great for driving fears by making you feel calmer. And this means that you will be less nervous behind the wheel. For example, for many people, simply being in the right state of mind may already be enough to overcome their fear of cars.
Take your time back behind the wheel
If you're having a hard time getting over your fears about driving, then maybe you shouldn't be in a rush to get back behind the wheel. It is possible that it will take a long time to overcome fear before you can start driving without fear again.
In addition to training with the relaxation methods described above, you must learn to feel comfortable and relaxed in the driver's seat. And this can really take a lot of time. Remember: only consistent actions will help you learn to feel calm behind the wheel.
Start by driving your car in a quiet, peaceful place.
If you cannot drive from home to such a deserted place where there are no other cars, then ask your friend, relative or acquaintance to take you in your car to where you will train yourself.
Your task is to minimize any negative interaction with other drivers. Therefore, driving schools are not suitable for this.
So, when you arrive in a quiet place where there are no other cars and people, first just get behind the wheel and sit for a while. Next, buckle up. Try to relax. Then start the engine. Customize your rear view mirrors. If you can't relax, then you can prepare yourself with the various relaxation techniques we wrote about above. For example, take a few deep breaths. Or turn on some quiet music. Then (don't be surprised) turn off the motor.
Repeat this process several times. That is, give yourself time to sit in silence alone in the car and only then start the engine, and also, after letting it work for a while, turn it off.
So you gradually begin to accustom yourself not to be afraid of the car. Remember: to get rid of panic fear, you need slow and gradual actions. Therefore, you may have to go to such a quiet, peaceful place every day and train yourself not to be afraid of the car.
Once you feel comfortable just sitting in the car with the engine running, move on to the next step - start moving slowly. It is desirable that there are no obstacles and other cars around you.
. Chances are, once you start riding on your own, your confidence will begin to return. If the fear does not go away, then stop the car and start all over again. If the fear still doesn't go away, then it's time to go home and repeat the workout another time. Otherwise, you will only exacerbate your fears.
This type of therapy is called exposure. Those who have a fear of driving associated with a minor phobia can train themselves near the house. But do not rush if you feel that you are no longer afraid to panic drive.
Give yourself time before you find yourself on a regular road.
Remember that exposure can take a long time to affect your psyche. So don't run ahead of the locomotive. Everything has its time. The main thing is a consistent approach.
Traveling with someone else
If you are afraid of driving alone, you may need to drive with someone else to overcome your fear, inviting someone else to accompany you. You can also hire a driving instructor.
If you are afraid to get back behind the wheel after an accident, this process of overcoming fear in the presence of other people in the car can be very effective.
The people sitting next to you in the passenger seat can help you relax and stay calm while driving. But remember that having the wrong person by your side can only exacerbate your fear. For example, if you are ashamed in front of some driver for your fear and inability to drive, then, of course, in order to get rid of car phobia, such a person will not be suitable for joint trips in a car.
You should take with you on a trip a person whom you know well, are not shy about him or whom you love very much. Such people will only support you in certain stressful situations.
As we have already said, it is a good idea to get rid of the fear of driving after getting a driver's license, is to hire a driving instructor. Yes, even though you already have a driver's license, you should still take driving lessons. After all, only in this way you will accelerate the acquisition of driving experience.
Naturally, if you have a fear of driving, you should choose your instructor carefully. Of course, you shouldn't hire an impulsive, strict driving instructor who loves to yell at his students. This will only increase your fear.
In general, your job is to take people you can trust with you on your car trips.
Seek professional advice
If you cannot cope with your driving fears on your own, then you need to understand your problem in more detail.
It is quite possible that you will need a professional consultation with a psychologist who, using cognitive behavioral therapy, will relieve you of the panic fear of driving. This therapy consists in the process of discussing issues related to fears, as well as developing a strategy to overcome these fears. It is a form of psychological evaluation that involves the destruction and rejection of negative behavioral patterns.
Unfortunately, sometimes one psychoanalysis will not be enough. Sometimes, to get rid of the phobia of fear of driving, you may need a set of measures. Including, you may have to resort to medication.
Anti-anxiety medications such as beta-blockers are usually used to relieve anxiety. You will probably have to resort to some mild antidepressants as well.
It is possible that hypnotherapy, which many people find very useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders, will also have to be used. However, there are some reports that question the effectiveness of this therapy.
This is why sometimes you need to seek professional advice from a medical professional who specializes in human psychology.
But regardless of all the above methods, in order to overcome the fear of driving, you will inevitably have to admit your fear before you start to fight it. Otherwise, you will not be able to get rid of fear.
See also: This is why novice drivers often get into accidents
So never be ashamed of your fear of driving. Share your fears and feelings with people you trust. It is quite possible that in this way you will not hide the fear in yourself, which, having strengthened, can become a real phobia.
If you cannot cope with your fears on your own, be sure to seek help from specialists. In most cases, they will easily solve your problem.
How to stop being afraid to drive a car
Even the law sees the car as a source of increased danger. No wonder so many drivers experience fear behind the wheel.
Healthy fears are even useful - they motivate you to stick to the rules and avoid unnecessary risks. But sometimes fear turns into panic, which can cause unpredictable actions and even an accident. We tell you what fear of driving is, what are its causes and how to deal with it.
Main causes of panic fear
Most often, fears arise among impressionable beginners. Even before they get behind the wheel of a car, they already see negative examples. Severe accidents are reported on the news every day, the Internet is full of discussions of the next accidents, and there are signs of emergency braking on the roads. Nervousness can also occur in public transport, but when it comes time to get behind the wheel, it develops into real fear.
Some experienced drivers are also familiar with panic. Most often, fear arises after a negative experience - getting into an accident, losing control at high speed, or watching a serious accident on the road. Psychologists say that in such cases, a person develops post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Its symptoms are very unpleasant - up to heart rhythm disturbances, hormonal changes and temporary memory loss.
Fear can arise if you drive after a long break. Doubts are natural for every person and even useful - they help to be careful at first. As a rule, driving skills are quickly restored and improved, but for this you need to overcome the initial fear and force yourself to get on the road.
Regardless of the situation, fear can be caused by extraneous psychological problems. It is a symptom of most affective disorders that affect a person's behavior and thinking. In addition, many people make excessive demands on themselves. Feeling inadequately prepared, they are afraid to get behind the wheel and start hands-on training. In any case, you can deal with fear with a little effort.
How to deal with fear while driving?
Psychologists and driving instructors give general advice that will be useful to every motorist, novice and experienced:
-
Try to avoid unnecessary stress.
Behind the wheel, you should concentrate on the road, and not on yesterday's conversation with your boss. -
Don't overwork yourself. Drowsiness and absent-mindedness almost double the likelihood of getting into an accident. Realizing the inability to control the situation, your mind can panic.
-
Turn on soft, upbeat music. It is important that it be a pleasant background that does not cause aggression or excessive relaxation.
-
If you drive in the morning, drink a cup of coffee or strong tea. Do not overdo it - excess caffeine causes confusion and inhibition of reactions.
-
Before starting your trip, imagine your goal and a pleasant event associated with it. For example, you will see a friend, get a paycheck, receive a package, or pick up your kids from school.
How can a newbie deal with fear of driving?
Novice drivers are reluctant to drive in the city for fear of getting into an accident.
They can be understood - dense traffic dictates a certain pace of movement, often uncomfortable for the student. It is important to choose the right instructor here. 80% of success depends on it.
The teacher needs to be able to motivate, prevent emergencies and correct mistakes while remaining calm. Strong psychological pressure on his part can exacerbate fear, which will turn into chronic fear. And a relaxed and detached instructor leaves the ward alone with the road, depriving him of support. However, you also need to make an effort to overcome fear.
Acquire knowledge
Memorize the Rules of the Road (SDA) in great detail. Take online self-assessment tests regularly. Thanks to this, you will know how to act in a certain situation. During an attack of panic fear, start repeating the desired paragraph of traffic rules to yourself. The situation will become clear and anxiety will recede.
Create a routine and follow it
When driving, follow a strictly defined sequence of actions.
Fasten your seat belt, adjust your seat, look in each mirror one at a time, turn the key in the ignition, check the lights on the control panel, put on soft music, look left and right, drive away slowly. For the first time, you will still feel fear. However, with each repetition, it will become weaker. This is how our brain works - routine calms it, creating a sense of order and security.
Make small talk
In the process of learning - with an instructor. Then try to take some of your relatives and friends on the trip. Start a conversation on an interesting topic that does not hurt your feelings. That's right - about sports, the global economic situation or the life of celebrities. Wrong - about the situation at work or in the family. So you will feel comfortable and able to suppress fear.
Learn little by little
If you have a fear of driving, talk to your instructor about it. In a private driving school, you can choose an individual lesson plan.
Learn to pull away on a race track or an empty lot. After leaving the street for the first time, come back after 10-15 minutes. Gradually increase the duration of driving in busy traffic up to one hour. Other methods can also be used. Start training in the evening or morning, when traffic is at its lowest, and gradually move on to rush hour. Another trick is to move from the bypass road to the city center, gradually plunging into heavy traffic.
Use psychological techniques
Beginners are often afraid to take the freeway or drive at night. The reason is simple - cars seem to be multi-ton piles of metal, representing a mortal threat to other road users. There is some truth in this, but it is panic fear that makes them a real danger. In order not to be afraid, imagine the drivers behind the wheel of each car. Think about the fact that they also fear trouble, enjoy good weather, or get mad at traffic jams. By imagining a living being instead of cold metal, you will learn to deal with fear.
How not to be afraid to go out on the road after a negative experience?
If you have anxiety on the verge of panic, do not hesitate - contact a psychologist. Post-traumatic stress disorder is very dangerous in critical situations. Fortunately, they are relatively easy to treat. Don't worry - usually psychotherapy and mild sedatives are used for this, rather than strong drugs.
Each person is individual, so the treatment regimen is selected according to the characteristics of his consciousness. In most cases, you can cope with fear yourself, but the process can drag on for many years. Think about whether you are ready to give up driving for a long time or put yourself at increased risk?
To stop being afraid to drive, you can also follow a few simple tips. If you consult a psychologist, suggest that he use these steps in therapy.
Getting to know the car from scratch
When the very sight of a car causes fear, you need to deal with panic gradually.
Just walk up to the car, inspect it from all sides and wipe the windows. Next time open the door and take out a small object from inside. Then get behind the wheel, start the engine, and so on. Take your time - give yourself time to adapt at each stage.
Use the TV
Sounds weird, but sometimes movies and TV shows can help with your fear of driving. Choose a movie dedicated to motorsport. Definitely - with a good ending and without dramatic incidents. See how professionals overcome difficulties. Many drivers are also helped by recordings and live broadcasts from races.
Learn again
Retake a driving course. If it seems too boring for you, sign up for an extreme program - you can find it in most major cities in the country. Be sure to listen to the theoretical program and do the practice. By refreshing your knowledge, you will feel more confident and quickly cope with fear.
Switch to positive
Stop watching the news and scrolling through social media feeds in search of reports of accidents.
Instead, look for positive information. Be happy for a friend or neighbor who has bought a new car. Watch a review of the new car on YouTube. Read about the extreme off-road expedition. To cope with fear, it is important to understand: the car is a helper of a person, not his enemy.
First Aid
When you feel a panic attack, focus on your surroundings. If the situation permits, pull over to the side of the road, stop and turn on your hazard warning lights. Take a few deep slow breaths and close your eyes. Breathe evenly until you feel relief. Open your eyes. Mentally list all further actions - you will check the situation on the road, turn off the "emergency gang", smoothly move off and join the stream.
If it is impossible to stop, keep your brain busy with routine work. Try to make a monthly budget in your head, think through every turn on the way to your destination, or write out a detailed action plan for today. Breathe evenly and deeply, focus on the road in front of you.
If the panic does not subside, turn on the emergency alarm and stop as smoothly as possible. A fine for breaking the rules and a couple of indignant beeps are much better than an accident that threatens your life and health.
Psychologists say that a light snack will help you not be afraid while driving. Stop by a coffee shop, order a sandwich and a cup of hot drink. Keeping your jaw and stomach busy will automatically reduce your stress levels. A surge of hormones of joy from delicious food and invigorating coffee will help improve mood and well-being.
But it's not a good idea to fight the fear of driving with medication. Even the lightest sedatives dull the reaction and reduce concentration. Sometimes they cause an even greater risk of an accident than anxiety itself. And for drugs like Corvalol, phenobarbital and ketamine derivatives, you can completely lose your rights.
During the period of treatment of mental disorders, it is recommended not to drive at all.
Antidepressants, tranquilizers, neuroleptics and anxiolytics accumulate in the human body. Unlike sedatives, they do not last a couple of hours, but several days or even weeks. During this time, you risk losing control or losing your license due to a positive drug test.
Conclusion
So, beginners should enlist the help of a professional instructor - moderately strict and attentive. You need to learn traffic rules and bring actions for automatism. It is advisable to start with the minimum complexity and duration of classes, gradually increasing the load. Simple psychological tricks also help - listen to peppy music, carry on a conversation, imagine drivers in other cars.
After a traumatic experience, you need to contact a psychologist who will select a rehabilitation program and help you cope with fear. It is important to receive positive reinforcement and avoid negativity. Sometimes you have to go through training from scratch or even re-acquaint yourself with the car.
