Road anxiety isn’t uncommon. While it is usually experienced by new drivers, experienced ones might also develop for any reason. From meeting a car accident to adjusting to different driving rules in a new country, a plethora of situations can trigger road fear. The good news is that getting over the fear of driving is possible. Here are 7 tips to overcome the fear of driving on the UAE roads.
7 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Driving on the UAE Roads
Every driver has to pass a road test in the UAE. That said, sometimes experienced drivers also face road fears. Maybe you just want to drive without the fear of meeting an accident on every turn on the UAE roads. Either way, road fear is curable. Here are 7 tips to help you drive better and without road anxiety.
1. Do not drive alone
If you are a beginner driver and feel nervous every time you have to take a ride, taking someone with you can be helpful. You do not always have to ask an experienced driver to accompany you. Take someone responsible who would take a look on the road and help you relax. A family member or a friend would do.
Once you have mastered your initial road fear, you can start taking short trips on your own. Take baby steps and develop confidence with time. Soon you will not need to take anyone with you at all.
2. Make the most of your driver’s training course
One of the reasons people have road fear when driving a car is the lack of confidence in their ability to drive. Fortunately, you must take driving training courses before you receive your driving licence in the UAE. These courses require you to take theory as well as practical driving classes. There are various driving schools in Dubai and other emirates where you can register for the training and learning of all the driving rules in the UAE.
When you drive on the roads in the presence of an expert driving instructor, you are likely to learn a lot. Make the most of these practice sessions to build confidence and defeat road anxiety even before it kicks in. Listen carefully to your driving instructor. Ask questions if you find any of the driving steps confusing. Be observant about every aspect of driving during the training sessions. This will not only help you ace your driving test but also assist you in overcoming nerves.
3. Avoid driving at night
Avoid driving at night if you are a nervous new driver or even an old driver suffering from road anxiety due to a bad experience. Driving at night is slightly more difficult than riding in broad daylight. The reason is the weak light that makes it difficult to see people, other vehicles and driving signs.
4. Improve your highway driving skills
People who are fine with driving on the local roads sometimes find driving on the highways in the UAE a lot more challenging. This type of fear is due to the lack of turns and cuts on the highway. Some people find the lack of intersections confining. Furthermore, highways with multiple lanes can look even more daunting to new drivers.
Try practising on quieter freeways with single lanes to overcome your fear of driving on the highways in general. Once you are comfortable with the idea of highways, move to the busier ones. Be cautious initially. With enough practice, you will get so used to highways that it will come naturally to you.
5. Invest in a car with maximum safety features
Another step you can take to ensure mental peace and overcome road fear is investing in a car with modern safety features. While all cars offer basic safety features, some vehicle models are built especially to guarantee safety on the road. When buying a used car, make it a priority to ask the seller about the safety features the vehicle has to offer.
Furthermore, you can opt for automatic cars to somewhat alleviate the fear of driving in heavy traffic. Also, check out all these cars with some of the best safety features:
6. Always get back on the road
Another major reason why people develop road fear is meeting an accident. A terrible car accident, a near-death experience on the road or even a difficult driving situation can lead you to question your driving skills and/or trigger road fear. This is where you are required to fight it and get back on the road.
If you let the road fear eat you up, it will eventually paralyse you to the point where you will stop driving altogether. You don’t want to lose your driving ability especially when it is an essential skill in the modern world. What if you have to drive someone in an emergency? Getting over the fear of driving becomes important in such situations. Therefore, never say goodbye to the road for too long and stay in practice.
7. Get help for getting over the road fear
Despite taking all the practical measures, it is possible for some to be unable to overcome their fear of the road. After all, as with all phobias, getting over the road fear when driving a car is also easier said than done.
If the road anxiety is crippling you from driving, you should discuss it with your therapist. At the end of the day, the fear is inside your head. Talking about its causes, triggering cues and the possible consequences of the fear with a professional therapist will help you a great deal. It will equip you to adopt practical driving techniques in a better way and deliver faster results.
FAQs
Why am I scared of driving?
Driving anxiety can be a result of a recent car accident. Some people fear they will get into a fatal accident while others have road fear due to generally being of a nervous disposition.
Is there a specific term for the fear of driving a car?
The technical term used to refer to driving fear is ‘vehophobia’. It may develop as a result of a traumatic vehicular accident.
Why do I fear driving on the highways?
The fear of highway driving stems from the sensation of being trapped in the lanes. Highways do not have many turns to escape the lanes while local roads have several intersections and turns. Therefore, sometimes people who tend to drive without fear on the city roads, feel trapped while driving on the highways,
These are all the tips for getting over the fear of driving a car. Apart from these steps, you can improve your driving skills in general especially if you are a new driver.
Related Posts
