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Is it normal to be scared of driving on the highway?
Freeway phobia is really a manifestation of agoraphobia. Exposure therapy means just what it sounds like it means. With the help of a therapist, you gradually increase your time on the freeway, exposing yourself to your fears until they subside.
What causes fear of driving on highways?
As an untreated person heads out onto the highway, that trapped sensation builds. People ruminate on this issue as they drive. As a result, the mind ends up in a panic or anxiety mode. Sweat starts to break out on the skin, the breathing becomes labored and the heart races.
How do you not be afraid of driving on the highway?
How To Overcome Fear Of Driving On Highways
- Make the Decision to Take Action.
- Acceptance.
- Breath and Mindfulness.
- Write Them Down.
- It’s Okay to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone.
- Take It Slow.
- Freeway Driving Is Safer.
- Brush Up On Safety Maneuvers.
Is getting on the highway easy?
The increased speed and traffic of a major highway can be a whole new challenge altogether. That being said, a highway is often the easiest and most efficient route to get from one point to the next. With the right knowhow, and some consistent practice, it can be safe and fun to drive on an expressway.
How do you overcome driving on the highway?
Write down your fears. Some common anxiety-triggers are driving on the highway, going to new locations, or being stuck in traffic. Make a list of your fears and rank them hierarchically, from least to most fear-inducing. Then focus on tackling them one at a time, starting at the bottom of the list.
Why do I hate driving?
Everyone finds it more stressful, not just people with anxiety. One of the biggest fears here is fear of judgment: that other drivers will become annoyed at you for not being fast enough or making a mistake. I hate to recommend avoidance, but this is something that people without anxiety do, too.
How fast should I drive on the highway?
Generally, the speed limit on multilane freeways is 65 mph, though in some areas it is 70 mph. On two-lane highways, the limit is generally 55 mph. The speed limit on city streets is usually 35 mph, though in residential areas and near schools, the limit is generally 25 mph.
Are freeways safer than highways?
In a sense, their loathing of the highway isn’t wholly irrational. Each year, some 5,000 people die in crashes on interstates. Federal transportation data have consistently shown that highways are considerably safer than other roads. (You can see the detailed numbers here.)
Are You Afraid of freeway driving?
My work with sufferers of driving anxiety over the years has taught me that fear of freeway driving is the number one issue anxious drivers face. It makes it hard to get places – Freeways are an unavoidable part of the driving experience for many people. Try living in almost any large urban area without driving on freeways.
What are the most common types of driving fear?
No wonder anxiety about driving on highways is one of the most common forms of driving fear. Unfortunately, highways are now a fact of life. Avoiding them due to anxiety is not always possible. If you live in a densely populated area, being unable to drive on a highway can be crippling.
What are the disadvantages of driving on the freeway?
It eats into your time – Freeways are often the fastest route between point A and point B. That’s kind of the whole point of freeways. Driving secondary roads with more stop signs and traffic lights can slow your forward progress to a crawl.
What are the dangers of highway driving?
Many people feel dangerously exposed sweeping into a flood of highway traffic from some small tributary interchange. There’s definitely a confrontational aspect to highway driving, and it’s most intense while trying to navigate your way into the current.