Anxious Driver, Unsafe Driver

Driving is just as powerful as holding a gun. I have always been a nervous driver. I understand the power of a vehicle and the consequences that a crash could have on people’s lives. Every time I see crashes or people driving recklessly, my mind rushes to me and my friend, Nilvek. A little over a year ago, my best friend was in a harrowing accident that almost left him dead. He was riding his motorcycle and had fallen behind his family, who were also on motorcycles. An elderly woman went on to slam on her brakes in the middle of the highway, he crashed into her car at 50 miles an hour. She apparently had slammed into her brakes because her phone had fallen. Nilvek spent 2 months in the hospital. My boy who loved boating, swimming, running, and was a star basketball player had to essentially relearn how to walk, use the bathroom, run, drive, and swim. I almost lost my best friend because someone was not being diligent while driving.

A couple of months before that, on 3 Kings Day, my family was driving home from a town parade when a woman missed her stop and slammed into the side of our Jeep at 60 miles an hour. Everything moved in slow motion. I heard the crash before I felt it, suddenly smoke billowed around me and I hurried to try and get my sister, who was directly hit, out of the car. Because of reckless drivers I could have lost the two most important people in my life. Driver Education takes upon itself to teach everyone on the road the safe and effective way to handle a motor vehicle. It is important that everyone goes through it as we try to protect our own lives and those lives around us.

Reckless driving has been rising during the past years with more deadly crashes occurring on a daily basis. I wholeheartedly believe that now more than ever we should be more careful as a community. With more distractions on the road, being focused is our number one priority. Our officers and law enforcement should be more stern with their judgment on drivers. Most importantly, drivers should go through a retesting and evaluation on a bi-yearly basis. As a driver myself, I would happily oblige to it if it served as a true reminder of what it means to drive a vehicle.

When I began learning how to drive I was terrified. Suddenly, I had what I considered a literal weapon in my hands. How could people use these so confidently? Because I go to college in a walkable town, I have not been on the road much. However, I recognize I have a very specific flaw in my driving, I am afraid. This is a unique flaw. Most people text, call, maybe they switch lanes without switching their blinker on. I, personally, am terrified behind the wheel. I can feel my anxiety coursing through my veins as I put my seatbelt on and turn the car on. As I begin driving I stop feeling my arms and legs. The pounding of my heart rings in my ears. Thankfully I have had incredible people to ground me and remind me that the only way the road can be unsafe is if I am an unsafe person.

I have only driven alone once. It was the day before I left for college, because my home is 1700 miles away, I knew I wouldn’t be back soon. I wanted one last ride through my hometown. It was nighttime and I knew that although I was nervous, I needed to do it. The moment I was on the main road I felt my anxiety begin to rise. I know that an anxious driver makes for an unsafe one so I took deep breaths and counted back from 100 in 3s while putting all my focus on the road. As someone who has a very loud brain, I found peace in those moments. Nothing matters but the road and the present. What is physically around me is the only thing on my mind. Driving can be enjoyable, it gives you independence, it allows you to literally go towards your goals. I am still trying to slowly enjoy it more.

I took and am taking extreme concrete steps into bettering my driving. Firstly, I went to therapy. There I could safely find the root of my anxiety. My past negative experiences with wrecks and vehicles was causing me to by hyper aware of the dangers. I also learned that while I work on my anxiety I should create a safe space inside my car; calming music, a comfortable steering wheel cover, keep it clean, check my journey on a GPS or maps before I leave for it, and make sure all the maintenance is up to date. Slowly I have learnt to make myself comfortable behind the wheel. I recommend anyone else who has driving anxiety to make their vehicle their safe space as well. Remember, an anxious driver makes for an unsafe driver and the only way the road can be unsafe is if someone makes it unsafe. You will be okay.